HomeMy WebLinkAboutSD-16-14 - Supplemental - 0150 Swift StreetCITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD Report preparation date: January 13, 2017
SD_16_14_150SwiftStreet_EasternDevelopment_PUD_sket Application received: May 20, 2016
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Owner
Martin Thieret
210 Maquam Shore Rd.
Swanton, VT 05488
Applicant
Eastern Development Corp.
300 Swift St.
South Burlington, VT 05403
Location
150 Swift Street
Sketch Plan Application #SD-16-14
Meeting Date: January 17, 2017
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Nathan Dagesse
EIV Technical Services
55 Leroy Rd., Suite 15
Williston, VT 05495
Property Information
Tax Parcel 1700-00150
Residential 1 with Planned Residential Development
District
CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD PLANNING AND
SD 16 14 150SwiftStreet EasternDevelopment PUD sketch lan 17 2017 mtg ZONING
Proiect Description
Sketch plan application #SD-16-14 of Eastern Development Corp. to develop a 12 unit planned unit
development on 21.8 acres consisting of six (6) two-family dwellings, 1S0 Swift Street.
Zoning District and Dimensional Requirements
R1-PRD1
Min. Lot Size
Max. Building Height
Max. Building Coverage
Max. Overall Coverage
Min. Front Setback
Min. Side Setback
Min. Rear Setback
Required
Proposed
217,800 SF
914,760
(21 acres)
25 ft. (flat), 28 ft. (pitched)
Unknown
15%
Unknown
25%
Unknown
50 ft.
50 ft.
25 ft.
>25 ft.
30 ft.
>30 ft.
'Section 4.01(F)(1) states that for lots within the Residential 1 District that are five (5) acres in size or more
and designated as RI-PRD a PUD may be permitted at a maximum of four (4) units per acre. The applicant
is applying under this provision. Eighty-four (84) units are possible given the size of the property and the
number of units allowed per acre. Eight (8) units are proposed. If the applicant were not applying as a PUD
under R1-PRD and instead under R1 then one (1) unit per acre would be allowed for a total of 21 units. In
both scenarios, the applicant is presenting a project which is less than the maximum density allowed.
� Zoning compliance
Comments
The staff notes herein reflect a review of the major land use regulations impacting this development and
are, at this stage, intended to provide feedback on the basic concept and site design, as well as to advise
the applicant as to any potential problems and concerns relating to those major issues.
Staff has narrowed the topics of discussion to the central issues that seem to present themselves at this
early stage of the project: lot configuration, access and street configuration, wetlands impact, open space
planning, and building orientation.
The current plans are an update from plans which were reviewed by the Board in October 2016. The
applicant is now proposing two (2) four unit multi -family dwellings.
Planned Unit Development Standards
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are intended "to encourage innovation in design and layout" and
"efficient use of land." Staff appreciates the efficient use of land that results from the shared parking
and single driveway. Staff acknowledges that the property has certain restrictions, including
topography, wetlands, and the need for onsite septic, that limit the development of the property.
At the October 18, 2016 meeting some Board members indicated that townhouse/row-house
development on this section of Swift Street was not their preference and suggested a pocket
neighborhood would be a more innovative approach that would be more in keeping with the area. The
applicant indicated that style of development was difficult on the site, because of the site limitations.
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CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD PLANNING AND
SD 16 14 150SwiftStreet EasternDevelopment PUD sketch Jan 17 2017 mtg ZONING
The current design reduces the number of buildings from three (3) to two (2) and pushes the buildings
further back from the road, which the Board had also indicated a preference for when last reviewing the
project.
1. Staff recommends the Board discuss with the applicant how the project is innovative and/or
could be more innovative given the site limitations.
A. Lot Configuration
Lots are to be laid out in such a way as makes it possible for the lot to be developed in full compliance with
the land development regulations and "giving consideration to topography, soils, and drainage conditions"
(Section 15.10). There are no new lots proposed at this time.
B. Access, Street Configuration, and Parking
The development is accessed from Swift Street by a driveway which enters the property between the two (2)
proposed buildings. Staff considers that the driveway between the two (2) buildings would be better placed
at either end of the proposed buildings, rather than breaking up front yard.
2. Staff recommends the Board request the applicant move the driveway so it is not breaking up the
front yard and putting traffic between the two buildings.
A sidewalk is proposed in front of the housing units and along the driveway. At a future stage of the review
process staff recommends the applicant discuss with the Bike/Ped Committee and/or Parks & Recreation
Committee whether this area of Swift Street should have a sidewalk or a recreation path, which is typically
10 feet wide. Staff considers that extending the sidewalk along Swift Street to the west would provide the
residents of the proposed development with easier, safer access to the adjacent University of Vermont
property where there is a woodland trail system. Additionally or alternatively, a network of trails on the
applicant's site which could connect to the UVM trail system would also be positive. These types of pedestrian
connections and recreation opportunities could help the project be more innovative in its design, which is a
component of being a PUD.
3. Staff recommends the Board discuss with the applicant how the property could best be used to meet
the recreation needs of the residents.
The applicant is proposing surface parking as well as garages on the backside of the units, which will be at
basement level.
C. Wetlands Impact
Section 12.02(E) of the Wetland Protection Standards and Review Procedure reads
E. Standards for Wetlands Protection
(1) Consistent with the purposes of this Section, encroachment into wetlands and buffer areas
is generally discouraged.
CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD PLANNING AND
SD 16 14 150SwiftStreet EasternDevelopment PUD sketch Jan 17 2017 mtg ZONING
(2) Encroachment into Class 11 wetlands is permitted by the City only in conjunction with
issuance of a Conditional Use Determination (CUD) by the Vermont Department of
Environmental Conservation and positive findings by the DRB pursuant to the criteria in (3)
below.
(3) Encroachment into Class 11 wetland buffers, Class 111 wetlands and Class 111 wetland buffers,
may be permitted by the DRB upon finding that the proposed project's overall development,
erosion control, stormwater treatment system, provisions for stream buffering, and
landscaping plan achieve the following standards for wetland protection:
(a) The encroachment(s) will not adversely affect the ability of the property to carry or
store flood waters adequately;
(b) The encroachment(s) will not adversely affect the ability of the proposed
stormwater treatment system to reduce sedimentation according to state
standards;
(c) The impact of the encroachment(s) on the specific wetland functions and values
identified in the field delineation and wetland report is minimized and/or offset by
appropriate landscaping, stormwater treatment, stream buffering, and/or other
mitigation measures.
The applicant has submitted a sketch plan which shows the location on the property of Class II wetlands. The
applicant stated in the submitted Project Narrative dated May 19, 2016 that the project would have no
wetland impacts and no permanent impacts on the wetland buffers.
D. Parks and Open Space Planning
The project shows an area to the rear of the buildings and parking which is labeled as "community recreation
area" and contains garden plots. At this stage details about the recreation area and design of the gardening
area are unknown. As mentioned earlier in these comments, staff would consider it positive if there were an
onsite network of trails, especially if they connected to the UVM property to the west.
4. Staff recommends the Board provide guidance to the applicant as to what types of onsite recreation
amenities the Board would view as positive and discuss with the applicant how the gardening area
would be designed (for example: would these be raised beds with a tap for watering?).
E. Building Orientation
The buildings will be oriented towards Swift Street with parking to the rear through a single access point.
Given the topography of the site and presence of wetlands, staff considers this layout to be an efficient use
of the space. Orienting the buildings in a row along the street will allow the applicant to take advantage of a
steep drop-off to the rear and place parking below the height of the street.
F. Stormwater Comments
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CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON DEPARTMENT OF
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD PLANNING AND
SD 16 14 150SwiftStreet EasternDevelopment PUD sketch Jan 17 2017 mtg ZONING
Staff received an email June 13, 2016 from the Stormwater Section:
The Stormwater Section has reviewed the "Overall Property Plan with Proposed Development —
150 Swift Street" prepared by EIB Technical Services, dated 5112116. We would like to offer the
following comments:
1. The overall lot coverage proposed is currently below 0.5 acres of impervious surface. Should
future site plan submissions evolve to include 0.5 acres of impervious surface, the applicant will
need to meet the requirements of 12.03 of the City's Land Development Regulations.
2. Section 12.02(E)(2) of the City's Land Development Regulations indicates that encroachment into
Class 11 wetlands is permitted by the City only in conjunction with issuance of a CUD by the
Vermont DEC. The applicant is encouraged to confirm the Class II Wetland Boundary as
delineated by S. Hance of EIV, December 2015 with the State.
Since receiving these comments the applicant's plans have changed; however, the comments of the
Stormwater Division remain relevant.
4. Staff recommends the Board request the applicant confirm the Class II Wetland Boundary as
delineated by S. Hance of EIV, December 2015 with the State prior to the next stage of the review
process.
G. Energy Standards
Staff notes that all new buildings are subject to the Stretch Energy Code pursuant to Section 3.15:
Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards of the LDRs.
H. Other
Staff notes that the applicant is proposing onsite wastewater treatment. Requirements for such systems
should be reviewed with the Public Works Department by the applicant prior to the next stage of the
review process.
RECOMMENDATION
The Board should seek clarification on the issues identified above.
Respectfully submitted,
Ray Belair, Administrative Officer
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