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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Open Space IZ Committee - 09/25/2019South Burlington Open Space Interim Zoning Committee September 25, 2019 The Open Space IZ Committee held a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 7:00 pm, in the second-floor conference room, Police Station, 19 Gregory Drive. Members present: Vince Bolduc, Alyson Chalnick, Meaghan Emery, Bernie Gagnon, Duncan Murdoch, Allan Strong, Sam Swanson, and Tami Zylka. Also present: Tom Bailey. Absent members: Amanda Holland, Sophie Mazowita, and Betty Milizia. 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 8b. 3. Comments from the public not related to the agenda: No comments were made. 4. Review members’ results and draft narratives for assigned parcels: This item was skipped. 5. Review mapping mapped related to conserved parcels and parcels under review: Allan handed out maps showing four scenarios based on the Committee’s data and created by Amanda. He then explained the different methods used that led to the four different scenarios: inclusion of parcels conserved through regulatory means, use of Tier 1 critieria (BioFinder alone vs. all three criteria: BioFinder, 2002 Open Space Strategy report, Duncan’s map). Vince shared that the mapping of the conserved lands would be of interest to the public. Meaghan shared her concern regarding the lack of a coherent development design on Dorset Street, and Tami noted that two of the scenarios include more parcels on Dorset Street. Sam expressed confidence that a coherent design will grow out of future development. Duncan reminded the committee that aesthetics do not reflect the natural resource priorities that members have been studying. Vince and Sam expressed confidence that neighborhoods regain natural features with time. Trees mature. Sam and Bernie stressed the importance of wildlife corridors and buffers. Alyson emphasized that time is of the essence in order to respond effectively to climate change by preserving open space. Members agreed that Scenario 2 (in which all three Tier 1 criteria needed to be met) is too restrictive. 6. Review mapping mapped related to conserved parcels and parcels under review: Regarding whether or not to include parcels preserved through regulatory means in the final rankings, Bernie expressed his opinion that these parcels need not be ranked but only listed among parcels that have already some form of conservation. Sam expressed the need to highlight these properties for future protections. Bernie responded that there could be a caveat indicating to future councils that, should regulations change, these parcels deserve careful attention. Bernie also added that wetlands would be conserved regardless since regulations protect wetlands. Tom Bailey asked a question regarding parcel size and how it would enter into the committee’s deliberations. He expressed the desire to see data so that the committee’s conclusions regarding the prioritization of parcels to conserve would be based on quantitative analysis. Allan asked the Committee members to think about how to weight the different parcels. Duncan argued that regulatory conservation is not adequate and that parcels conserved by regulation should be included in our prioritized list. Mr. Bailey raised the issue of how zoning might be established, and Bernie responded that that would be the work of the Planning Commission and the Council based on the IZ Open Space Committee’s recommendations, the two questions being: What should be purchased? What should be zoned differently? Regarding the map, Sam suggested that the parcels conserved by regulation could appear on the map but in a lighter shade of color, indicating its ranking. Meaghan suggested using three different shades of the same color for all prioritized parcels (of different levels of priority), and Alyson suggested that parcels conserved by regulation could appear with cross hatches. Tami agreed that that might help the viewer see patterns that would help committee members and future planners see corridors and ecologically sensitive areas more clearly. Mr. Bailey expressed the need for a map showing parcels that have been conserved through the sale of TDRs. Meaghan asked whether there was a benefit to showing the wetlands on the map. 7. Consider possible recommendations for Report: Allan directed the members to review the parcels on Scenario 1 in order to refine our priority ranking. Members worked to identify properties and whether or not they should be included in the final prioritized ranking. Meaghan suggested putting cemeteries under the category of being subject to public authority. Allan suggested placing the UVM properties under a separate category. 8. Next steps for the committee: Bernie suggested that Paul Conner indicate to the Committee which of the parcels are currently under development review. Mr. Bailey and Duncan warned members not to abandon the Committee’s data through subjective assessments of the ranked properties. Members will, however, consider the relative value of the different parcels they have reviewed. 8.b. Approve Minutes of September 4, 2019: Amanda had previously recommended that references to her use of the online CCRPC map to produce South Burlington maps for the Committee be changed so as to avoid confusion. Allan moved to approve the September 4, 2019 minutes with the recommended changes, Vince seconded, and they passed unanimously. Minutes passed 8-0. 9. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:00pm. The next meeting is on October 1 at 7pm in the second floor conference room at the Police Station.