HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05_SD-19-35_1420 Hinesburg_Staff Report Responses CIVIL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC.
10 Mansfield View Lane Phone: 802-864-2323
South Burlington, VT 05403 Fax: 802-864-2271
E-Mail: dmarshall@cea-vt.com
January 2, 2020
Ms. Marla Keene, PE
Development Review Planner
City of South Burlington
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, Vermont
Re: Preliminary and Final Site Plat Application #SD-19-35, Donald and Lois Kerwin
1420 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, Vermont
Staff Report Comments 1-7-20
Dear Ms. Keene:
Thank you for your overview on the staff report for the #SD-19-35 Preliminary and Final Site
Plat Application for Donald and Lois Kerwin and their project at 1420 Hinesburg Road in South
Burlington. In support of the project, we offer the following responses prior to the January 7th
meeting date in hopes to help all parties be up to speed with the project. The original staff
comments are provided in red, our responses to the comments are provided in blue.
1. The applicant’s plans state in some places that lot 1 will be 51,700 sf and 51,690 in other
places. Staff recommends the Board ask the applicant which number is correct and
require the applicant to revise their plans to reflect the correct number.
Lot 1 will be 51,700 SF.
2. The applicant has self-reported setback equal to the required minimum setback on both
lots. Staff notes pertaining to SEQ-NR design standards address the setback for
Proposed Lot #2. As a required PUD, Staff recommends the Board require the applicant
to update these numbers.
Please see the updated dimensional summary on the next page.
Ms. Marla Keene, PE
Page 2 of 4
January 2, 2020
3. The applicant has declined to provide information on building height. As a required PUD,
Staff recommends the Board require the applicant to provide these numbers.
The nature of this project is a subdivision for future development. As such, the
architectural plans including the information on the building height are not available
at this time. We can offer that the building height will be less than the 28’ maximum
and that compliance be demonstrated at the time of submission of the zoning permit
application
4. Staff notes for the Board’s benefit the references to well-planned residential use, design
and layout of buildings and lots, and creation of neighborhoods. Though this subdivision
does not necessarily detract from this purpose, Staff considers the application fails to
demonstrate compliance with these aspects of the purpose statement. This is discussed
further in the Article 9 standards.
The nature of this project is a subdivision for future development. The first goal being
to create a lot for the house so that it can be sold. As stated “The SEQ standards are
formed to encourage open space preservation, scenic view and natural resources
protection, wildlife habitat preservation, continued agriculture, and well-planned
residential use in the area of the City known as the Southeast Quadrant.” This project
area does not have areas defined as significant open spaces, there is minimal wildlife
habitat opportunities and no significant wildlife habitats on the project site, there is
no existing farming of the area, and it is a continuation of the existing neighborhood
use with existing infrastructure in place to support the future residence.
5. Without any testimony on height, Staff considers compliance with this and other related
standards cannot be evaluated.
The nature of this project is a subdivision for future development. As such, the
architectural plans including the information on the building height are not available
at this time. We can offer that the building height will be less than the 28’ maximum.
Ms. Marla Keene, PE
Page 3 of 4
January 2, 2020
6. Staff recommends the Board require the applicant to demonstrate preliminary
wastewater allocation prior to closing the hearing.
420 GPD of Wastewater allocation has been secured from Justin Rabidoux who
reviewed and approved the allocation request on 11-1-2019. A copy of which is
attached. A copy was emailed to Dalila Hall at the time.
7. Staff recommends the Board discuss from where electrical will be served, and if
Highland Terrace, require the applicant to update their plans to reflect this connection.
Electrical lines must be underground.
The location of the electrical will be per that depicted on sheets C1.0 Overall Proposed
Conditions Site Plan, sheet P1 and Sheet C1.3. The electrical service line is shown to be
from the existing utility pole near the entrance of the Lot 1 driveway and ran
underground to the northside of the existing house and garage buildings. A stub
would be located in the northwest corner of proposed Lot 2. The location of the
electrical service to the future residence would be determined when architectural
plans are developed for the building.
8. The proposed lot 1 has a width to depth ratio of approximately 1:1.3. The proposed lot 2
has a width to depth ratio of greater than 1:1. Staff considers this criterion not met.
Though 9.07A describes this criterion as an illustrative guide, this standard is required
under 9.08A(3) below.
Staff considers there are at least two potential solutions to this problem. In the first
potential solution, the applicant has laid out the proposed lot 2 such that the lot is
divided into roughly thirds by a drainage easement and a sewer easement to the benefit
of Lot 1. If the applicant modifies the proposed lot 2 boundaries to be limited to the
area defined by the easements, the required lot ratios will be met for both lots.
The second potential solution is for the Board to grant a waiver as a PUD. The existing
home is laid out in a way that is not supportive of a 1:2 lot ratio in the case of any
subdivision, and the Board may wish to grant that consideration. When presented to the
City Council, the interim zoning application or this project considered a four-lot
subdivision, with the three new lots meeting the 1:2 minimum and the remaining lot
with the existing home not meeting the ratio.
The later of the two options is most consistent with the short and long-term goals for
the property.
Ms. Marla Keene, PE
Page 4 of 4
January 2, 2020
9. Building Orientation - The applicant has declined to provide information supporting
compliance with this criterion. Staff recommends the Board require the applicant to
demonstrate this criterion is met prior to closing the hearing.
The nature of this project is a subdivision for future development of the lot for a
single-family home. As such, the architectural plans including the information on the
building placement, orientation and design are not available at this time. We are
committed to indicating that the long dimension of the building will be along the east-
west access and that compliance be demonstrated at the time of submission of the
zoning permit application.
10. Front Building Setbacks - Staff recommends the Board require the applicant to meet this
criterion, but that the Board discuss whether it should apply from the roadways or from
the ROW, based on the 20-foot frontyard setback.
Acknowledged.
11. Placement of garages and parking - The applicant has declined to provide information
supporting compliance with this criterion. Staff recommends the Board require the
applicant to demonstrate this criterion is met prior to closing the hearing. The nature of
this project is a subdivision for future development for a single-family home. As such,
the architectural plans including the information on the garage placement, orientation
and design are not available at this time. Compliance will be demonstrated at the time
of submission of the zoning permit application.
This completes our responses to the SD-19-35 Staff Report for this project. If you should have
any questions, please feel free to contact me at 864-2323 x310.
Respectfully,
David S. Marshall
Project Engineer
P:\AutoCADD Projects\2018\18232\3-Permitting\1-Local Applications\3-Final\Staff Report Responses 1-7-20.doc