HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 06A_NRC PRESENTATION
DAC-MSW2017 C:\Users\mkeene\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\7UIP29OT\NRC PRESENTATION TO DRB - FINAL - DAC Revisions 2-26-2019 PM #52.docx
Printed On: 2/27/2019 @ 1:32 PM Page 1 of 2
South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
MEMORANDIUM [UPDATED: 2/26/2019 PM “FINAL”]
TO: Development Review Board
FROM: South Burlington Natural Resource Committee
SUBJECT: NRC Offer of Assistance to DRB
DATE: For March 5, 2019 Mtg
The mission of the South Burlington Natural Resources Committee is to promote community awareness and
recommend policy to sustain and enhance natural resources on behalf of current and future generations within the
South Burlington community.
Our goal is to use our collective experience and background to assist the DRB (and other City Boards and
Committees) by offering information and advice on natural resource issues.
The NRC has identified the following Priority Areas that encompass various aspects of the natural resource issues
and concerns which should be evaluated for all the significant developments.
1. “Preservation of Open Spaces”
2. “Riparian and Wildlife Connectivity”
3. “Forest Blocks and Trees of Importance”
4. “Scenic Views”
5. “Conservation of Aquatic Resources”
6. “Conservation of Agricultural Resources”
7. “Land Management”
Attached is a document providing descriptions of Priority Areas, Trigger Points, and Scorecard.
Below are some possible ways the NRC suggests our assistance could be utilized:
1. NRC reviews specific natural resource issues at the request of the DRB.
2. NRC develops “Trigger Points” which are the evaluation criteria to determine where natural resources
may be impacted enough to require the NRC to evaluate proposed development.
3. NRC develops a “Score Card” to develop a threshold for when natural resource issues should be
commented on for each proposed development.
4. NRC invites developer to meet with us to discuss the proposed development to assist us in the
understanding and evaluation of the proposed development.
5. Possibly joint mtgs with Rec. & Parks Committee, and Bike & Ped. Committee.
Dave Crawford, NRC Chair
For the South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
Cell Phone: 802-881-9599
Email: dacs4040@gmail.com
DAC-MSW2017 C:\Users\mkeene\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\7UIP29OT\NRC PRESENTATION TO DRB - FINAL - DAC Revisions 2-26-2019 PM #52.docx
Printed On: 2/27/2019 @ 1:32 PM Page 2 of 2
NRC Supplemental Information
Submitted at March 5, 2019 DRB Mtg
Descriptions of Priority Areas, Trigger Points, and Scorecard
1. “Preservation of Open Spaces”
The Comprehensive Plan defines the general areas needing professionally prepared studies to define Open
Spaces in the Comprehensive Plan. The DRB should consider the Comprehensive Plan Statements as a
guide to where specific studies should be provided by the Developer. (Please refer to the “2014 Open Space
Report” document for an excellent presentation of open space recommendations.)
2. “Riparian and Wildlife Connectivity”
These are areas in the City where there appears to be a significant amount of wildlife activity which need
to be available for wildlife movement. {There does not seem to be a consistent definition for the terms
“surface water” and a “riparian way”. This leads to confusion regarding the use of these terms. The NRC
will do more research to try to clarify these terms.}
3. “Preservation of Contiguous Forest Blocks and Trees of Importance”
(The Preservation of Tree Canopies)
The City should keep trees wherever possible and the NRC should be invited to review and provide input
regarding tree canopy protection as it relates to each project.
A “Land Management Plan” should be developed by the applicant to provide for tree replacement.
4. “Scenic Views”
The “Open Space Report” lists the Scenic Views that should be considered as a part of any development.
{Please refer to the 2014 Open Space Report, Section VII, Information and Recommendations.}
5. “Conservation of Aquatic Resources”
The NRC is concerned with potential vehicle toxins from impervious surfaces and lawn applications
contaminating the Water Sources. The NRC is concerned with potential vehicle toxins from impervious
surfaces, lawn applications and agricultural runoff contaminating the Water Sources.
6. “Conservation of Agricultural Resources”
Agricultural land is defined in the and covered in the Act 250 review process. The NRC requests that the
DRB direct Developers to include the NRC in their Act 250 process. (This appears to be a good way for
the NRC to contribute to the agricultural issues review process.) {The LDR seems to be a bit confusing on
this issue. See LDR Page 143.}
7. “Land Management”
We recommend that Developers develop or procure a comprehensive and ongoing “Land Management
Plan” that includes and is not limited to forest, wetland, riparian areas and invasive species.
The NRC requests that in instances where a Land Management Plan be part of an approval, that we be
invited to review and provide recommendations in the development of each “Management Plan”. The
“Management Plan” should have a provision to have it turned over to the City or a condominium association.
Invasive species such as non-native phragmites, common and glossy buckthorn and Japanese Knotweed
may have a considerable impact on the biodiversity of the region and if not managed, may extend beyond
property boundaries.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Trigger Points”
A document that the NRC will use for defining when development should be reviewed.
It will be a spreadsheet listing the Priority Areas and indicating whether the development appears to need
NRC review. [This is a new document that the NRC will need to create.]
“Scorecard”
A document that the NRC will use for defining which Priority Areas development should be reviewed.
It will be a spreadsheet listing the Priority Areas Subcategories (specific items) and indicating which ones
in the development need NRC review. [This is a new document that the NRC will need to create.]