HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05A_SD-19-33_1650 Hinesburg Rd_Auclair_SK_SC#SD‐19‐33
Staff Comments
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CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
SD‐19‐33_1650 Hinesburg Rd_Auclair_SK_2019‐12‐03.docx
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
Report preparation date: November 27, 2019
Plans received: November 5, 2019
1650 Hinesburg Road
Sketch Plan Application #SD‐19‐33
Meeting date: December 3, 2019
Owner
Scott McAllister
1430 Hinesburg Road
South Burlington, VT 05403
Applicant
Heather Auclair
1650 Hinesburg Road
South Burlington, VT 05403
Property Information
Tax Parcel 0860‐01800
Southeast Quadrant – Natural Resource Protection (NRP)
194 acres
Engineer
Trudell Consulting Engineers
478 Blair Park Road
Williston, VT 05495
Location Map
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Sketch plan application #SD‐19‐33 of Heather Auclair to subdivide an existing undeveloped 194 acre
parcel and an existing 0.37 acre parcel developed with a single family home into two parcels of 191
acres (Lot 1) and 3.43 acres (Lot 2) for the purpose of consolidating the existing septic and lawn area for
the 0.37 acre parcel onto a single parcel (Lot 2), 1650 Hinesburg Rd.
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Staff Comments
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COMMENTS
Development Review Planner Marla Keene and Director of Planning and Zoning Paul Conner (“Staff”)
have reviewed the plans submitted on 10/5/2019 and offer the following comments. Numbered items
for the Board’s attention are in red.
CONTEXT
The property is located in an area exempt from Interim Zoning. The property is located in the Natural
Resource Protection district. The applicant is not proposing any new construction. The parcel area to be
consolidated with the existing home does not contain any wetlands or other state mapped natural
features. The following is an excerpt from the applicant’s cover letter describing the existing conditions
and the project.
The existing 0.37 ac parcel is developed with a single family home and paved drive, while the
existing 194 ac parcel remains undeveloped agricultural land. The existing home is served by a
private well and on‐site septic treatment per State Water Supply and Wastewater permit WW‐3‐
4557. The septic field is currently located on the Vermont Land Trust parcel with a sewage disposal
easement surrounding the treatment area.
This project proposes to adjust the boundary line between the two parcels such that the existing
septic system would now be on the Heather Auclair property, no longer requiring an easement.
The existing home on the 0.37 ac parcel has an overhead power and telephone connection to a
nearby pole.
While the large 194 ac parcel owned by the Vermont Land Trust has State mapped Class II
wetlands, streams, flood hazard areas, ledge outcrops and other natural features, the 3.06 ac of
land to be transferred to the existing 0.37 ac parcel does not contain any State mapped natural
features. The east boundary of the parcel is wooded with primarily deciduous vegetation and
exhibits steep slopes.
This project does not propose any new development, ground disturbance or site changes, and
simply proposes the transfer of 3.06ac of land from one property to another.
ZONING DISTRICT & DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Setbacks, Coverages & Lot Dimensions
Within the SEQ‐NRP zoning district, the minimum lot size for a single family home is 12,000 sq. ft. with a
base density of 1 units per acre. All units must be clustered to maximize the resource values of the property
and have no portion within a designated primary natural community or its related buffer. All dwelling units
must be detached single family houses. Staff has no concerns with these criteria.
A subdivision plan within this district is subject to the DRB’s approval of a conservation plan in a form
acceptable to the City Attorney that permanently encumbers the land against further land subdivision and
development.
Staff recommends the Board discus with the applicant the need to provide such a conservation plan at the
time of final plat application.
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Staff Comments
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Maximum building coverage is 15% and maximum lot coverage is 30%. Under the Applicant’s proposed
subdivision and subsequent build‐out of the subdivided lots, the lots appear to be below both maximum
building and lot coverage, though additional information demonstrating compliance will be required at
subsequent stages of review.
SEQ General Standards
SEQ general standards pertain to Open Space and Resource protection, Agriculture, Public Services and
Facilities, and Circulation. Given the requirement for a conservation plan, Staff considers there are no issues
with this application meeting these standards.
SEQ Regulating Plan
The SEQ regulating plans does not apply to development within the SEQ‐NRP sub‐district.
9.12 SEQ‐NRP Specific Standards
Single tax parcels existing as of the effective date of the SEQ regulations which are greater than 100
acres and located entirely within the NRP sub‐district may be subdivided with an average overall density
of one single family dwelling per ten acres.
Staff recommends the Board discuss with the applicant that the proposed subdivision will cause the
subject property to no longer be eligible for this or any other subdivision allowed under 9.12.
SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
Subdivision standards pertain to water and wastewater capacity, natural resource protection, traffic,
visual compatibility with the surrounding area, open space, fire protection, relationship to the
Comprehensive Plan, and public infrastructure.
Subdivision criterion #10 specifically requires projects to be consistent with the goals and objectives of
the Comprehensive Plan for the affected district. The Goals of the comprehensive plan follow.
1. Affordable & community Strong. Creating a robust sense of place and opportunity for our
residents and visitors.
2. Walkable. Bicycle and pedestrian friendly with safe transportation infrastructure.
3. Green & clean. Emphasizing sustainability for long‐term viability of a clean and green South
Burlington.
4. Opportunity Oriented. Being a supportive and engaged member of the larger regional and
statewide community.
The project lies within the Southeast Quadrant of the city. Southeast Quadrant objectives in the
Comprehensive Plan are:
60. Give priority to the conservation of contiguous and interconnected open space areas within this
quadrant outside of those areas [districts, zones] specifically designated for development.
61. Maintain opportunities for traditional and emerging forms of agriculture that complement and
help sustain a growing city, and maintain the productivity of South Burlington’s remaining
agricultural lands.
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62. Enhance Dorset Street as the SEQ’s “main street” with traffic calming techniques, streetscape
improvements, safe interconnected pedestrian pathways and crossings, and a roadway profile
suited to its intended local traffic function.
Staff considers this project, as a two‐lot subdivision, does not detract from any of the goals or objectives
of the comprehensive plan.
Staff considers there do not appear to be issues with compliance with other subdivision criteria, but
they will be reviewed in detail at the next stage of review.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board discuss the Project with the applicant and close the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Marla Keene, Development Review Planner