HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 11/26/2019SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
26 NOVEMBER 2019
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The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 26 November 2019, at
7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Louisos, Chair; B. Gagnon, M. Mittag, A. Klugo
ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning; C. LaRose, Planner; R. Gonda, B. Shearer
1. Directions on emergency evacuation procedures from conference room:
Ms. Louisos 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:
No issues were raised.
4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report:
Mr. Mittag noted that he attended the State Municipal Day. Speakers included the State Forester and a
presentation on a new digital system to get all parcels on line.
Mr. Conner’s staff report was submitted in written form.
5. Status Report on Prior Requested Amendments to the Land Development Regulations;
Commission Scheduling:
Mr. Conner said staff is proposing highlighting those that are not active to see how members feel about
them:
a. Increase in lot coverage for some properties on Shelburne Road, C-1 Auto District (Mr. Shearer’s
request): Mr. Conner said the options are that this is not a priority, to look at this request
individually, to consider this with the open space matrix with a goal of creating incentives for
quality open space. Mr. Conner said this would be a day to day and half of staff work, and they
could have a draft in early February. This could in the future tie into TDRs.
Mr. Gagnon was concerned with where to draw the line and noted there are other things people want
to have done.
Ms. LaRose also noted that site plans have not been addressed and this would have a huge impact.
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Mr. Shearer said he came to the Commission 2 years ago. He had to give up an employee parking lot for
“green space.” This has created a serious, dysfunctional situation. They have other lots for storage. He
said that if he could get the 20 parking spaces back, he could get employee cars out of the middle of
inventory cars. He felt this was a “little tweak” to help businesses work better and safer.
Mr. Conner felt that late January could be a quieter time after receipt of the Arrowwood report and the
end of the PUD work. Mr. Gagnon said he had no issue if staff has time to move this forward as long as
it doesn’t bump the other things the Commission is working on in order to meet the requirements of
Interim Zoning. Mr. Klugo said that it was important that smaller projects don’t consume the time
needed by the Commission or staff to complete the Planned Unit Development project.
Mr. Gonda said his request is not critical until the beginning of June, and he was willing to do some “leg
work,” if that will help. Members agreed to wait till after February on that request.
b. The possibility of a limitation to how much a home can be expanded in existing neighborhoods.
This is a big project and can be considered in next year’s work plan.
c. Tree replacement standards: the DRB is comfortable with the current rules and how to interpret
them in the spirit of the regulations
d. Regarding a moving company and the issue of character/uses in commercial/industrial/open
space residential areas. Regulations allow for one thing and disallow others that may have a
similar impact.
6. Summary of Airport Draft Noise Compatibility Plan: Discuss possible next planning steps
including Comprehensive Plan and LDR Amendments:
Mr. Conner reviewed the history. Ms. Louisos commented that people are relieved that planes are here
and can be heard. It took away the uncertainty.
Mr. Gagnon asked if there is an opportunity to adapt features of the Neighborhood PUD into the Airport
neighborhood. Mr. Conner said they could say all of Chamberlain is one type of PUD. One question
would be what kind of open space to have.
Mr. Klugo said the Chamberlain neighborhood is unique and suggested possibly addressing it in a
broader framework such as charettes and a possible consultant.
Mr. Conner stressed that the Airport is a State economic engine. The neighborhood is a city issue.
Mr. Klugo suggested identifying the stakeholders, identifying each of their goals and then having a
charette. Ms. LaRose noted the original report was very good, and now is the time to take action.
Stakeholders have shared their thoughts. Mr. Conner added that it hasn’t been taken to a “design
level.” Mr. Klugo said that people generally want predictability; otherwise there is a lot of anxiety.
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Ms. LaRose felt the Commission could spend 18 months just dealing with that neighborhood.
7. Status of CCRPC Unified Planning Work Program and initial discussion of candidate FY2021
Projects:
Mr. Conner reviewed the history and what kind of projects can be taken on. Recommendations for new
projects include:
a. looking at intersections (identifying intersections where there is a need for some action
either through the Comprehensive Plan or other studies)
b. looking at 2 roadway connections: Palace Nine to Bartlett Bay Road to connect near the
Fire Station parallel to Shelburne Rd., and a new road between Kimball Avenue and
Williston Road (near Shunpike Road) which would go on the official city map
Mr. Klugo asked about a connection between Tilley Drive and Community Dr. Mr. Conner said staff has
been working on that in the background. The original guidance from the Planning Commission was to
do what they could to maximize what can be done and then come back if there is still a need. The RPC is
doing a study now to look at different interchanges, Exit 12 to Exit 17.
Mr. Klugo said there should be a road to split the “superblock” into two blocks. This should evolve into a
mixed use area, which requires more connectivity. He added that there is bonding and there are taxes
for all sorts of things, but the question is how to get those things done instead of dragging them out. He
felt funding should be looked at as an investment, not an expense.
Mr. Gagnon said the first priority is to determine what specific information the Commission wants to
have in order to prioritize projects and then to determine the funding needed to get the studies done.
Mr. Klugo said that when the Commission prioritizes, things “get pushed out.” He felt that when looking
at items that impact the community the most, it is easy to put the Chamberlain neighborhood at the
top. Commissioners inquired about overall resources for planning in South Burlington and how to grow
capacity.
8. Updated project schedule for PUD/Subdivisions/Master Plan/Natural Resources Work:
Ms. LaRose said the Commission has spent the last few meetings talking about natural resources. Some
pieces fall into Chapter 12 entirely. She believed that Chapter 12 is getting complete enough so it could
move forward on its own. The advantage of this is that everything that is new (e.g, stormwater, etc.)
would be regulatory for any new development. The alternative is to do the other warned amendments.
Mr. Conner said these could be warned for the first meeting in January. He noted that the only risk with
moving forward is to be sure members understand the entirety of where they are heading.
Mr. Gagnon questioned whether the Commission should be doing non-PUD things since the Council
charged them with getting the PUD done. Ms. LaRose felt the Chapter 12 work has to be done before
the PUD work. Mr. Conner added they have to figure out how to tie into PUDs the properties identified
for non-development/open space, etc. He felt this will be a lot to deal with. Ms. Louisos said the
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Natural Resources Committee has indicated a willingness to get involved in some of this work. Mr.
Conner suggested a January meeting with them.
Ms. LaRose noted the Commission hasn’t yet seen the Campus PUD type yet. She felt a low number of
properties would use that.
Ms. LaRose also noted staff is working with legal staff regarding subdivision issues including the meaning
of “sketch plan.”
9. Consider and Possibly Approve Proposed Street Name: Blanchard Street:
Mr. Conner showed the location of the street on an overhead photo. It could be connected to Williston
Rd. if the Marcotte School were ever sold.
Mr. Mittag indicated he was uncomfortable with naming of a street for an active city employee.
Members felt that they should be thanked and commended for their work, but something like a plaque
in the new building might be more appropriate.
10. Committee Updates:
a. Open Space Interim Zoning Committee: will meet next week
b. Affordable Housing Committee – Mr. Conner reported they had a good meeting this
morning.
11. Other Business:
a. Colchester Planning Commission Public Hearing on proposed amendments to
Development Regulations, December 17, 7:00 p.m., 781 Blakely Road, Colchester
No discussion or action took place.
As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by
common consent at 9:05 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Planning Commission December 17, 2019