HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Open Space IZ Committee - 09/04/2019South Burlington Open Space Interim Zoning Committee September 4, 2019
The Open Space IZ Committee held a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 7:00 pm, in
the first-floor conference room, Police Station, 19 Gregory Drive.
Members present: Vince Bolduc, Alyson Chalnick, Meaghan Emery, Amanda Holland, Duncan Murdoch,
Allan Strong, and Tami Zylka. Also present: Michael Mittag and Tom Bailey. Absent members: Bernie
Gagnon, Sophie Mazowita, Betty Milizia, and Sam Swanson.
1. Directions on emergency evacuation procedures from conference room:
Allan called the meeting to order and provided instructions on emergency evacuation of the
building.
2. Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items:
Meaghan asked that approval of the minutes be added to the agenda. It was added to the agenda as
item 6b.
3. Comments from the public not related to the agenda:
No comments were made.
4. Review of three scenarios for prioritizing open space:
The agenda erroneously mentions three scenarios instead of the intended two. Allan handed out
maps showing two scenarios based on the Committee’s data created by Amanda. He then explained
the rankings represented by different colors (red, orange, green, and violet) and the criteria used to
calculate the different rankings. The difference between the two is that Scenario 1 includes three
Tier 1 criteria (BioFinder, Duncan’s map, and 2002 Open Space Strategy) and Scenario 2 includes
only the BioFinder Tier 1 criterium, as members at the last meeting recommended. The maps do not
show the 42 parcels that have already been conserved (some have covenants, others are conserved
through natural resource protection regulations). However, these different types of conserved
parcels can be integrated into future maps. Meaghan suggested that, instead of High, Medium, and
Low designations, the results refer to percentages of parcels to show how they compare to all
parcels of 4 acres or greater with less than 10% impervious surface. Duncan suggested including the
percentage of overall acreage. Vince suggested using the terms first level, second level, third level,
and fourth level.
5. Discussion of attribute weights:
The results of the two different scenarios: Forty-eight parcels in total met the threshold in Scenario
1: 21 low, 21 medium, 6 high. Twenty-four parcels in total met the threshold in Scenario 2: 13 low, 6
medium, 5 high. Amanda noted that Scenario 1 preserves an important corridor along Spear Street.
Michael Mittag asked how Allan might present the findings to the Council, and Allan stated that he
would likely point out contiguous parcels. Meaghan noted that some parcels with “medium” ranking
in Scenario 1 do not even appear significant under Scenario 2, and that these parcels that show up in
Scenario 1 are uniquely qualified for conservation (whether as wetlands/forest or community
gardening).
Tom Bailey raised a new initiative on the Affordable Housing Committee to complement the Open
Space Committee’s work in order to develop a list of parcels close to infrastructure and municipal
amenities that would be well suited to affordable housing developments.
Mr. Bailey recommended that it was important to explain the violet colored parcels to the public.
Vince thought that the white parcels (less than 4 acres and more than 10% impervious) should also
be clearly explained, including through a map in the final report. Mr. Bailey expressed the public’s
interest in seeing conserved land included on the map.
Members agreed that Scenario 1 was more appropriate as a baseline than Scenario 2. Members also
noted a few parcels that need to be reviewed for potential upcoming projects. Mr. Bailey expressed
his belief that the Committee’s data is more believable than the current zoning.
Establishing accurate acreages for each of the parcels remains to be done.
6. Next steps for the committee:
Allan will write up the methods and the results. Vince will write up the introduction and the caveats.
Other members of the Committee need to write up narratives for their assigned parcels. Results
should be in to Allan by September 23, two days before the next meeting. Allan will send out other
maps to be prepared by Amanda, one showing the conserved parcels and the other showing how
conserved parcels rank in comparison to all of the 183 parcels.
6.b. Approval of the minutes:
Tami moved to approve the July 23 minutes, Murdoch seconded, and they passed unanimously.
Vince moved to approve August 21 minutes and Meaghan seconded, and they passed unanimously.
7. Adjourn:
The meeting adjourned shortly after 8:30pm. The next meeting is on Wednesday, September 25 at
7pm, in the second floor conference room at the Police Station.