Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 11/12/2019SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 12 November 2019 1 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, 12 November 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Gagnon, T. Riehle, M. Ostby, M. Mittag, D. Macdonald, A. Klugo ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning; C. LaRose, Planner, D. Grippon, K. Lord 1. Directions on emergency evacuation procedures from conference room: Mr. Gagnon provided directions on emergency evacuation procedures. 2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the agenda. 3. Open to the public for items not related to the Agenda: Doris Grippon, resident of Spear Street, spoke with concerns related to the view protection zone along Spear Street, specifically trees which have grown in the area and which she believes exceeds the height limit of the VPZs. She indicated she was seeking ZA enforcement of standards, or allowance to build a second story which is prohibited under the current LDR and VPZ. The Planning Commission indicated that they will seek a follow-up on presentation to PC on scenic views or a presentation on enforcements and would also look at the commission’s work plan after interim zoning. 4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report Ms. Ostby delivered copies of Vermont Green Streets Guide: A Resource for Planning and Building Green Infrastructure Within our Communities (June 2018) Ms. Ostby also gave brief update on Affordable Housing work to provide options other than density as the incentive for required inclusionary units; Mr. Conner affirmed that staff is also working on this on behalf of Council direction, possibly including reduced or waived fees. 5. Discuss recommendations of Transfer of Development Rights Interim Zoning Committee Mr. Mittag briefly introduced TDR banking and discussed his beliefs of what does and doesn't work. He included what he’s found for TDR programs in other parts of the country: a) Lancaster county PA has strong program trading TDRs for 4,000 s.f. of increased lot coverage in industrial business zone b) Seattle: King County has agreement with city of Seattle. In speaking with Deputy program director, encouraged to keep simple, and can apply differently in different places. c) Hadley MA: one acre land is worth 2000 s.f commercial The Commission discussed regional significance and responsibilities. Mr. Riehle indicated that the CCRPC considers SB part of the growth center, regionally speaking. 2 Mr. Gagnon asked if there a book on TDRs? Lessons learned? Mr. Mittag indicated that he would like the PC to accept the report and recommendations and then the TDR committee would keep working on more details related to recommendations (mapping receiving zones, for example). Ms. Ostby stated she would like to figure out what next steps would belong to PC and which to the TDR committee for a clear division of tasks. She further indicated that she didn’t see the benefit of the committee continuing this work; should transfer to PC. Mr. Klugo stated that he doesn’t see the work to support to conclusions made. Commissioners continued the discussion of what is the Council looking for as a product from the PC before end of interim zoning. Most indicated that this is important before choosing the next path to follow. Members discussed the Interim Zoning Bylaw and its expected deliverables. The Bylaw was displayed on the screen and read: “Undertake an analysis of the program for the Transfer of Development Rights established in and by the Land Development Regulations and recommend options for its implementation.” Mr. Mittag indicated that his understanding is that the output is LDR-ready recommendations Kelly Lord, resident, member of TDR Committee shared her belief that the entire SEQ should be conserved. Mr. Gagnon stated that he would like to check in with Council for general concurrence. There was a brief discussion of whether the PC accepts/endorses the report findings and recommendations. Mr. Klugo and Mr. Macdonald indicated that they are not ready to accept the recommendations as presented and need more information. Ms. Ostby suggested that the PC not share recommendations with Council if all members can't all support them yet. Mr. Riehle recommended a written memo to Council. Attachments: report and recommendation bullets and ask questions about product and steps and timeline. Mr. Klugo agreed the suggestion of a memo to Council, with a little "peak behind the curtain of the recommendations," meaning that these are the types of recommendations that could be in a final report and/or bylaw, but are not an exhaustive or fully-vetted list. Mr. Gagnon concurred. Mr. Gagnon moved that staff prepare a memo to the City Council, providing the draft Report per the Interim Zoning Bylaw’s action item, and seeking feedback; share the draft memo with the Chair & Vice Chair of the Commission for feedback and edits; and submit the memo, alongside the July 30th draft findings & report of the TDR Committee - as updated with additional information gathered and provided to the Planning Commission to the City Council. Motion seconded by Mr. Riehle. Motion approved 5-1, with Mr. Mittag voting against. 6. Land Development Regulations: Review and discuss elements of Article 12, Natural Resources Standards Ms. LaRose provided an update to the Commission as it relates to work on Article 12, Natural Resources Standards. She shared updates in the language based on feedback by the commission when they reviewed a previous draft, noting that this is a complete redraft and not a “redline” version. She also introduced the reservation of several subsections for future work, including tree protection standards, 3 resource restoration, and forest and habitat blocks- awaiting work from an ongoing study by a consulting firm. Ms. LaRose also discussed the relationship between resource types and development calculations (primarily density) within subdivisions and PUDs. The Commission supported the draft, noting more changes would be drafted soon. Commission indicated they look forward to reviewing language for regulation of steep slopes. 7. Committee Updates a. Open Space Interim Zoning Committee Mr. Gagnon said that the Committee would be meeting the following week and would have an update subsequent to that time. 8. Meeting Minutes October 22 & October 29 Motion by Mr. Klugo to accept, seconded by Mr. Mittag. Approved by all. Note by Mr. Klugo to correct spelling of Mr. Killaki. 9. Other business a. Review meeting schedule for remainder of 2019 b. Consider and approve 2020 regular meeting schedule Mr. Conner noted that in looking at the 2020 Calendar, staff was avoiding conflicting with both civic and important religious holidays. Commissioners concurred. 10. Adjourn As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 9:26 p.m. Minutes approved by the Planning Commission December 10, 2019