HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Economic Development Committee - 12/13/2022South Burlington Economic Development Committee
Room #301 at 180 Market St
South Burlington, VT 05403
AGENDA
Participation Options
In Person: Room #301 – 3rd Floor – 180 Market St
Assistive Listening Service Devices Available upon request
Electronically: https://meet.goto.com/SouthBurlingtonVT/edc-12-13-2022
You can also dial in using your phone. +1 (872) 240-3311
Access Code: 161-939-285
Tuesday December 13, 2022 5:30 PM
1.Welcome, agenda review and approval
2.Public comments on items not on the agenda
3.***Approve minutes of November 8, 2022 meeting
4.*** Comprehensive Plan Request from Planning Commission
a.What key topics related to economic development should be prioritized in the
2024 Comprehensive Plan?
b.What input do you need from members of the public related to those key topics?
c.What further information does your committee need in order to provide
feedback on the Comprehensive Plan?
5.*** Planning Commission request for feedback on housing in commercial and/or
industrial areas
6.Topics for future meetings
7.Adjourn (approx. 7:00 pm)
***Attachments included
November 8, 2022 - SOUTH BURLINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES
5:30 PM – Room 301 at 180 Market Street
Members present: Linda Norris, Sriram Srinivasan, Charles Johnston, John Burton, Tom Bailey,
Michael Biama, and Ken Linge.
Members absent: Sriram Srinivasan
Others in attendance: Jessie Baker, City Manager, Ilona Blanchard, City Development Director,
1. Welcome and introduction of new members: John Burton welcomed all and called the meeting
to order at 5:30 PM.
2. Public comments on items not on the agenda: none
3. Approve minutes from September 13, 2022: The minutes were reviewed and approved. Linda
motioned and Tom seconded. Note that the October meeting did not have a quorum.
4. City Manager Updates: Jessie reported that staff is busy preparing the FY24 budget. It will go
to the City Council (CC) on Dec 5. CC approved a Heat and Hot Water Fuel in New Construction
Ordinance at their last mtg. Jessie attended the recent SBBA mtg and reports that the spring
meeting with be at City Hall in Feb/Mar 2023. At the next EDC mtg, Ilona will present an
overview of the TIF funding prior to upcoming Bond vote. Ilona also promoted the upcoming
"Illuminate VT" to be held Dec 16/17 on Market Street showcasing local vendors and music for
all. Jessie has forwarded an email to us all just prior to the meeting from PC on the Comp Plan
process and input required in December. It was also suggested that Ilona present an overview
of the Bike/Ped bridge design and project status at our Dec mtg.
5. Ways to increase engagement with the business community: Linda gave a brief review of the
business community outreach ideas for 3 segments of the SB business community. The SBBA is
a great addition to the business community and provides two way feedback on issues facing
local retailers /small business as one segment. There has been discussion on what kind of
engagement should we have (inbound biz roundtable or outbound visits) with the segment of
large, international, multi-location businesses? And finally, what engagement should be
developed with a third segment of industry aligned businesses in SB? Discussion to continue as
this evolves and more topics like TIF funding and Dashboard information become available to
share with these business stakeholders and the new comp plan input is requested.
6. Discuss ARPA recommendation for the Nov 30 Council meeting: There were a lot of good ideas
(revolving loan program and / or small business incentive grants) and much discussion on
priorities ensued. Michael B is going to draft a letter summarizing our EDC response and
priorities that will go to CC. All members are welcome to attend the Nov 30 CC mtg where this
will again be discussed.
7. Further discussion on the Climate Action Plan – Tabled
8. Develop South Burlington economic metrics – next steps – Tabled
9. FY22 Annual Report – Tabled
10. Next mtg is December 13: Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
November 7, 2022
Dear Economic Development Committee,
The Planning Commission has begun working on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan and is now reaching out
to the City’s policy committees for input in their particular areas of focus. This is the first of several
rounds of committee involvement through the review and update process. Currently, we are in the early
stages of public engagement and review of the existing plan. We’re excited to have the Economic
Development Committee on board as we start this first step in our collaborative effort to update the
Plan.
Background and Work to Date
Please find attached to this letter a copy of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, which is the current plan until
the new update is adopted in 2024. In each section, there is a list of topic-specific Objectives and
Strategies to reach those objectives. The 2024 Comprehensive Plan will be reorganized but most, if not
all, of the existing sections will remain in some form.
Also attached are two additional documents. One is a memo describing the current “knowns” – pieces of
information about the City and City policies that we know and must inform the Comprehensive Plan
update.
The second is the updated Core Values, Vision & Goals for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan – the outline of
four values that drive our City and inform all other areas of the Comprehensive Plan. It is designed to
form the foundation of the rest of the Comprehensive Plan and thoughtful, values-driven decision-
making under that Plan. The updated Core Values, Vision & Goals have been recently updated and
adopted by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Current Stage
At this stage, we need three key pieces of input from your committee. First, what key topics within your
area of focus should be prioritized in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan? These can be topics that are
already addressed in the current plan, topics that should be added, and/or topics that are included but
need more attention in the 2024 update.
Second, what input do you need from members of the public related to those key topics? The City is
planning to hold several facilitated public input sessions managed by a professional facilitator. During
these sessions, what topics do you need the facilitator to raise and what information are you seeking
from those discussions?
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Third, what further information does your committee need in order to provide feedback on the
Comprehensive Plan? This could include further GIS mapping information, City statistics, etc. Any need
for new studies or plans should be included in the Comprehensive Plan itself, but is there helpful
information that the City has or could easily compile?
The Planning Commission would appreciate you taking up this question in your November or December
meeting and providing feedback by the end of December.
Future Stages
As the update process moves forward, we are going to be asking for additional input from you. This is
going to include feedback on the 2016 Comprehensive Plan objectives relevant to your area of focus,
review and response to draft objectives based on adopted plans and future goals, and what additional
plans or studies your committee would like to see in the next eight to ten years.
This is our opportunity to plan the next stage in South Burlington’s evolution with your help. Thank you
for all the time and effort you put into your work for the City.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Peterson
City Planner
comprehensive plan
2016
Adopted by the South Burlington City
Council February 1, 2016.
Acknowledgements
South Burlington Planning Commission
Jessica Louisos, Chair
Tracey Harrington, Vice-Chair
Bernie Gagnon, Clerk
Art Klugo
Duncan Macdonald
Sophie Quest
Ted Riehle
The City also thanks the work of all of its commissioners over the
past fi ve years in developing this plan.
South Burlington City Council
Pat Nowak, Chair
Chris Shaw, Vice-Chair
Helen Riehle, Clerk
Thomas Chittenden
Meaghan Emery
Planning & Zoning Staff
Paul Conner, AICP, Director of Planning & Zoning
Raymond J. Belair, Administrative Offi cer
Cathyann LaRose, AICP, City Planner
The City also thanks the work of all City volunteers and staff
involved in developing this Plan, with special thanks to Madeline
Brumberg, GIS Technician.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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VISION
Th is plan presents a vision of how the City desires to evolve in the coming 20 years.
Th e plan recommends a number of actions and practices that should be undertaken
by the City and community to help achieve the goals and objectives therein. Th is
plan and its recommendations are intended to aid the City as it prepares and adopts
regulations, prepares capital budgets and annual work programs, and forms citizen
committees to study a particular concern.
Considerable eff ort was dedicated into summarizing the impassioned priorities, plans
and aspirations of the community into a simple consolidated vision. Th e result is
strong and can be found in its entirety at the start of the Plan.
Here and into the future, South Burlington is.......
Aff ordable & Community Strong. Creating a robust sense of place and opportunity
for our residents and visitors.
Walkable. Bicycle and pedestrian friendly with safe transportation infrastructure.
Green & Clean. Emphasizing sustainability for long-term viability of a clean and
green South Burlington.
Opportunity Oriented. Being a supportive and engaged member of the larger
regional and statewide community.
BACKGROUND & STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION
Th e 2016 Comprehensive Plan represents the culmination of a multi-year public
process of the Planning Commission, and provided an opportunity for the community
to revisit the Comprehensive Plan to evaluate key accomplishments as well as areas for
improvement. It also provided an opportunity to review current trends and conditions,
explore new issues and opportunities, and ensure that recommendations contained in
the updated Plan were aligned with the community’s vision and goals for the future.
Th e development of this plan involved extensive participation among the citizens of
South Burlington, City offi cials, regional entities and the business community. It has
evolved to its present form based largely on committee work, special studies, policy
formulation, discussion and debate.
In addition to citizen participation forums, the Planning Commission has held
numerous public meetings to review, discuss and debate the various sections of the
plan. Th e drafting of these sections has involved considerable input by City offi cials
and the School District; various City committees such as the Natural Resources
Committee, Energy Committee, Recreation-Leisure Arts Committee, Bike and
Pedestrian Committee, Library Board of Trustees; regional entities such as the
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Champlain Water District,
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Chittenden Solid Waste District, and Chittenden County Transit Authority; and
private organizations such as local builders, ad hoc taskforces, the South Burlington
Land Trust, and others.
Th e extensive public input in the plan did not begin or end with the fi rst draft
published. Hundreds of stakeholders have contributed throughout the fi ve-year period
leading up to its date of publication. Public input has been gathered in all forms, from
formal public meetings and hearings before the Planning Commission, to meetings
of special project-focused committees, to individual direct and indirect citizen input.
Portions of the plan were refi ned through the committees formed in 2012 to develop
subject-specifi c reports- Aff ordable Housing, Open Space, Sustainable Agriculture- as
well as the Form Based Code Committee which recommended a series of specifi c
draft amendments to the Land Development Regulations for a newly defi ned City
Center Form Based Codes Overlay District. Each of these committees held several
targeted and well attended community meetings and discussion sessions. Stakeholders
participated in ice cream socials held in City parks; residents stopped to talk about
issues during visits to the community farmer’s market. Each ultimately produced a
report or draft language which provided direct feedback incorporated into the Plan.
Other reports and studies include: multiple transportation corridor studies and
network analyses; extensive outreach and documentation associated with the City’s
bid for the Georgetown University Energy Prize; a Public Facilities Taskforce led to a
recommendation for public buildings, functions, and space within the City Center;
an environmental Study provided valuable science-based knowledge of key water and
wildlife resources in the Southeast Quadrant; a 2015 Identity study gave insight to
valued City features and began a conversation on the strategy desired by the City’s
residents, business owners, and employees. Specifi c plans recently completed include
management plans for Red Rocks Park and the Wheeler Nature Park, a vision framework
for the recently acquired Underwood parcel on Spear Street, a transportation network
analysis for the Williston Road / city center area, a Shelburne Road corridor study, and
adoption of a Tax Increment Financing District Plan.
Th e City also participated in and has incorporated various elements of the CCRPC’s
Regional Plan, and a 2015 study directed by the School Board seeks to plan for the
future programming and facility needs of all South Burlington schools..
Electronic methods of outreach have never been more utilized in South Burlington
than was in this process. Feedback was solicited and provided via a dedicated website,
Th e Path to Sustainability. A Power of Ten exercise provided a digital conduit for
people to share thoughts and ideas about favorite places, problem areas, and other City
notes. Recreation and school newsletters shared word of the plan and its components.
Front Porch Forum was additionally helpful in reaching thousands of city households.
ORGANIZATION
Th is plan is organized into four sections:
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
iii
✦Introduction. Th is section provides a brief overview of the City, this plan and
South Burlington’s planning history. It highlights the City’s most important
goals.
✦Community Assessment. Th is section includes a description of the City’s cur-
rent condition, resources and character, identifi cation of needs and concerns,
and analyses of critical issues facing the City, categorized by social, gray, blue,
and green infrastructure. Each section also highlights City objectives, and
strategies to achieve those objectives.
✦Future Land Use. Th is section includes more geographically specifi c assess-
ment of the City’s districts, with land use objectives and strategies that are
unique to certain City districts.
✦Attachments. Th is includes maps, data and additional resources developed as
part of the plan update.
NOTABLE CHANGES
Policy framework refi nements to the guiding principles, goals, and policies were made
throughout the plan in response to community input and new issues and opportunities
that emerged through the process. A simplifi ed structure is now organized around four
types of infrastructure and includes a matrix which links goals, objectives and strategies
to make sure each work in tandem and keep community decisions accountable to City
goals.
Notable changes to the policy framework include:
• Enhanced emphasis on quality of life considerations such as neighborhood livability,
community pride and sense of place, parks and recreation, pedestrian and bicycle
connectivity, and community resiliency
• Expanded policy linkage to adopted plans
• Expanded discussion of housing aff ordability and economic policy
• Expanded emphasis on long-term sustainability, including energy effi ciency, local
agriculture and food security.
LAND AREA DESIGNATIONS & FUTURE LAND USE MAP
Th e plan designates a series of four quadrants and one district that share common
geography, land use, and transportation patterns. For each quadrant or district, the
Future Land Use chapter provides an overview of existing land use, projected future
land use, key planning issues, and transition areas.
Th e future land use plan is accompanied by a map of the same name. Th is proposed
future land use strives to refl ect the overall goals of the City and to balance the various
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
objectives and strategies of this document, while also providing a more geographically
specifi c assessment of the City’s districts, with land use objectives and strategies that
are unique to certain areas. Th e adopted map categorizes land use into several degrees
of residential density, commercial, industrial, City Center, and public uses. Th e map
provides for a series of broad categories of planned land intensity. Th e features on this
map are purposefully blended so as not to focus on a specifi c parcel or delineation
between land use features. Th at level of specifi city is left to the Offi cial Zoning Map.
For the purposes of this map and plan, future land use is identifi ed in terms of intensity
- a refl ection of several variables including types of uses, number of residents, square
footage, massing and heights of buildings, clustering and lot coverages, proximity to
roadways, type and frequency of roadways - rather than just residential density.
Th e purpose of the future land use map is not to defi ne residential building density
or enumerate the specifi c fi gures for other factors of land development intensity, but
to provide guidance to the related Land Development Regulations, such that the
distribution and relative eff ect of these developments is in keeping with the City’s
overall goals.
Th e Future Land Use Map has been arranged into relative categories:
✦Very low intensity, principally open space. Th ese lands emphasize conserva-
tion, water quality, and wildlife protection. Land development regulations
should provide ease of approval for open spaces, including agricultural land
and related uses.
✦Lower intensity, principally residential. Fostering a strong sense of neighbor-
hood, these areas are primarily residential in use, with number of units and
size of buildings to be among the lowest in the City. More intense commer-
cial or industrial uses should be avoided.
✦Medium intensity, residential to mixed use. Th ese areas support an increased
diversity of housing options, with increased building density and slightly in-
creased building heights over lower density residential areas.
✦Medium to higher intensity, principally non-residential. Intended to foster
high quality jobs, these lands provide for medium to large scale industrial,
educational, mechanical and offi ce park environments, among other related
uses. Th eir aesthetics should refl ect quality design and promote South Burl-
ington as a welcoming place to work and do business.
✦Medium to higher intensity, mixed use. Th ese lands are intended to be the
most compact and most intensely developed in the City and support employ-
ment. Infrastructure is effi cient, and transportation is emphasized towards
access to transit, pedestrians and cyclists.
Th is plan represents the heart and vision of South Burlington.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
v
1: ABLE CONTENT
1: introduction
1.1. VISION & GOALS 1-1
1.2. THE CITY 1-2
General Description 1-2
Before Becoming a City 1-3
1.3. THE PLAN 1-5
Overview 1-5
Authority and Purpose 1-6
Planning Process 1-6
Planning History 1-8
1.4. IMPLEMENTATION 1-10
2: community assessment
each sub-section will contain:
Overview
Inventory
Analysis and Challenges
Future Needs and Trends
Objectives
Strategies
2.1. IDENTITY 2-1
2.2 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 2-3
A. Population 2-3
B. Housing 2-10
C. Economy 2-18
D. Community Facilities and Services 2-24
E. Quality of Life 2-48
2.3 GRAY INFRASTRUCTURE 2-53
A. Transportation 2-53
B. Public Utilities 2-73
C. Energy 2-76
D. Resource Extraction 2-81
2.4 BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE 2-82
A. Surface and Ground Water Resources 2-82
B. Stormwater 2-89
C. Potable Water 2-92
D. Wastewater Treatment 2-95
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2.5 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 2-98
A. Ecological Resources 2-98
B. Historic and Cultural Resources 2-107
C. Recreation Resources 2-111
D. Agricultural Resources 2-115
2.6 ACHIEVEMENTS & ONGOING ACTIONS 2-119
3: land use plan
3.1. CURRENT LAND USE 3-1
3.2. FUTURE LAND USE 3-3
A. Overview of the City’s Land Use 3-3
B. Future Land Use Plan 3-5
C. Land Use Planning Areas 3-8
Central District 3-8
Northwest Quadrant 3-15
Northeast Quadrant 3-21
Southwest Quadrant 3-25
Southeast Quadrant 3-29
D. Special Multi-District Issues 3-40
3.3. COMPATIBILITY 3-42
4: references and resources
4.1. THE MAPS 4-1
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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South Burlington Imagery
2013 Vintage
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P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\HistoricImageryMapping\HistoricImageryMapping_2013.mxd Exported By: mbrumberg on 1/15/2015
January 15, 2015
00.510.25
Miles
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1-1
1: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Vision & Goals
HERE AND INTO THE FUTURE, SOUTH BURLINGTON IS.......
Aff ordable & Community Strong Creating a robust sense of place and opportunity
for our residents and visitors.
✦Be aff ordable, with housing for people of all incomes, lifestyles, and stages
of life;
✦Keep unique features, and maintain or enhance the quality of life of existing
neighborhoods;
✦Be a recognized leader in public education off erings and outcomes;
✦Provide quality public safety, infrastructure, health, wellness, and recreation
services;
✦Ensure transparent and accessible government.
Walkable. Bicycle and pedestrian friendly with safe transportation infrastructure.
✦Develop a safe and effi cient transportation system that supports pedestrian,
bicycle, and transit options while accommodating the automobile;
✦Establish a city center with pedestrian-oriented design, mixed uses, and
public buildings and civic spaces that act as a focal point to the community.
Green & Clean. Emphasizing sustainability for long-term viability of a clean and
green South Burlington.
✦Promote conservation of identifi ed important natural areas, open spaces,
aquatic resources, air quality, arable land and other agricultural resources,
historic sites and structures, and recreational assets;
✦Reduce energy consumption city-wide and increase renewable energy
production where appropriate.
Opportunity Oriented. Being a supportive and engaged member of the larger
regional and statewide community.
✦Prioritize development that occurs within the community into the higher
intensity areas identifi ed within this Plan;
✦Support a diverse and vibrant economy built on quality jobs, employment
centers and a supportive educational and research system; support markets
for local agricultural and food products.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1.2. Th e City
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Th e City of South Burlington covers approximately 10,600 acres in the western part of
Chittenden County. It is bounded to the northwest by Burlington, the largest city in
Vermont. Th e Winooski River is the northern boundary between South Burlington,
Colchester and Essex. To the east, Muddy Brook runs the entire length of South
Burlington and separates the city from Williston. Shelburne bounds the city on the
south. Th e southwest section of the city lies on Lake Champlain with 2 1/4 miles of
shoreline.
South Burlington is a regional employment, trade, housing, and transportation
center. It is also home to substantial natural resources and recreational facilities and
programming, a high quality elementary, secondary, and higher education school
system, and vibrant neighborhoods. Th e City is host to many visitors, having the
most hotel rooms in the State.
Th ree major elements contributing to South Burlington’s regional and state prominence
are its park and trails system, retail and commercial areas and its arterial transportation
network. Th is network includes 27 miles of recreation paths, Vermont’s largest airport
and direct access to Interstates 89 (I-89) and 189 (I-189). It is traversed by two arterial
highways, one railway, and has nearby destination points for large ferry routes.
Energy in South Burlington is provided primarily by imported gasoline, diesel, and
heating oil from many independent suppliers, imported natural gas from Vermont
Gas Systems, and electricity from Green Mountain Power. Most of the electricity
used in South Burlington is generated outside the city, however an increasing number
of rooftop and fi eld-deployed solar generation facilities improve the resilience of our
energy service system by providing generation capacity that serves the city directly.
A combination of newer and long-established neighborhoods serving a population that
is increasingly diverse in its socioeconomic and ethnic composition exist throughout
the city and are connected through both roadways and a growing recreational path
system.
Th e city’s quality public school system is supplemented by the proximity to the
University of Vermont, three private colleges and the Community College of Vermont.
A major healthcare institution, the University of Vermont Medical Center, along with
a contingent of family doctors and specialists in the area, provide excellent healthcare
services.
In addition to these amenities, South Burlington’s spectacular scenic and recreational
setting adjacent to Burlington’s downtown amenities and urban core add to a strong
quality of life for South Burlington as well as the entire region.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1-3
BEFORE BECOMING A CITY
South Burlington’s geographic location, natural resources, and natural features have
made it a desirable place for settlement for centuries. South Burlington lies between
Lake Champlain, the Winooski River, and the Shelburne Pond watershed. South
Burlington’s location between these major drainage areas and bodies of water, as well
as its natural resources, made the area naturally suited to occupation throughout
prehistoric times. Th ere is archaeological evidence that suggests human populations
occupied the area as early as 8000 BC.
With the arrival of European settlers at the close of the 18th century, South Burlington
was transformed into a farming community. Th e area is well suited to agriculture due
to its gently rolling, fertile soils. Industrial activity also arose around Winooski Falls
and the natural lime rock was extracted and refi ned through kilns. Monkton quartzite
was quarried from the eastern edge of the town and utilized in many Burlington
foundations. Th e introduction of the Winooski Turnpike (now Williston Road) and a
stagecoach route along what is now Hinesburg Road made South Burlington a central
location in the early years of the 19th century. Some taverns and other commercial
structures sprang up sporadically along these transportation routes.
Initially development included shared services and utilities with Burlington, which
grew to be the fi nancial and service center of the area. In 1865, South Burlington
and Burlington became separate communities, with Burlington being the population
and business hub and South Burlington being largely agrarian. Farmers brought their
goods to Burlington and exchanged them for manufactured goods. Th e introduction
of the railroad along the shores of Lake Champlain brought tourists to the area.
Queen City Park became a popular religious summer camp and eventually developed
a railroad stop of its own and the Burlington Trolley line was extended to service the
area in the closing years of the 19th century.
Growth continued slowly for South Burlington through the fi rst years of the 20th
century. With the introduction of the automobile, development shifted to major
roads such as Williston Road. In 1919, work was begun on the airport which would
become the Burlington International Airport. South Burlington began to become a
transportation hub for Chittenden County. With the post-World War II economic
expansion, development took off in both the commercial/industrial and residential
sectors. Major residential neighborhoods close to the airport, begun prior to World
War II, accelerated the pace of construction after the war during the 1940s and 1950s.
Th e community adopted zoning in 1947 in an eff ort to provide order to the exploding
growth. Between 1940 and 1950, the city’s population more than doubled. Pre-war
eff orts to extend municipal water services from Burlington came to fruition along
Williston Road. Between 1950 and 1960, the population doubled again. Many
businesses sprang up along Williston Road and Shelburne Road. Diners, motels,
restaurants, as well as retail shops and offi ces began to line these popular strips.
Many roadside businesses developed distinctive designs and signs to stand out to the
motorist. Farmland was quickly converted to dense development. Conversely, areas
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
such as Southeast Quadrant and the lakeshore saw little development during this time
period.
South Burlington formally was granted city status in 1971. Since that time, as the
Social Infrastructure Chapter will illustrate, the population of the city has grown to
17,904 (2010 Census), as has the employment base and amount of conserved natural
areas, parkland, recreational paths, and community services available.
In the spring of 2015, South Burlington began the Community Identity Project to
better understand how the community, its workers, and neighbors viewed the city. A
major goal includes fashioning material that could be used to clearly, succinctly and
consistently articulate community identity, pride, strength and direction.
2015 marked the community’s 150th anniversary.
Th e remainder of this plan will address the contemporary opportunities and challenges
of balancing continued growth, new development, redevelopment, and changing
demographics within the city, with the city’s identifi ed goals.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1-5
1.3. Th e Plan
OVERVIEW
Th e Comprehensive Plan is a framework and guide for accomplishing community
aspirations and intentions. It states goals and objectives and recommends courses of
action for future growth, development, and conservation of land, public facilities and
services, and environmental protection. Th is plan presents a vision of how the city
desires to evolve in the coming 20 years. It is based upon inventories, studies, analyses
of current and projected trends, and most importantly, the desires of the community.
Th e plan is implemented through various city ordinances and regulations, involvement
with state and federal agencies, fi scal practices, and through the actions and lives of
city residents and business owners.
Th is plan recommends a number of actions and practices that should be undertaken
by the city and community to help achieve the goals and objectives of the plan.
It is important to note that these recommendations are not mandates, but are
suggestions to help guide the operations of the city and its citizens. Th is plan and its
recommendations are intended to aid the city as it prepares and adopts regulations,
prepares capital budgets and annual work programs, and forms citizen committees to
study a particular concern. Th ese recommendations shall be implemented only after
considerable thought, discussion and analysis.
Sections. Th is plan is organized into four sections:
✦Introduction. Th is section provides a brief overview of the city, this plan and
South Burlington’s planning history. It highlights the city’s most important
goals.
✦Community Assessment. Th is section includes a description of the city’s
current condition, resources and character, identifi cation of needs and
concerns, and analyses of critical issues facing the city, categorized by
social, gray, blue, and green infrastructure. Each section also highlights city
objectives, and strategies to achieve those objectives.
✦Future Land Use. Th is section includes a more geographically specifi c
assessment of the city’s districts, with land use objectives and strategies that
are unique to certain city districts.
✦Attachments. Th is includes maps, data and additional resources developed as
part of the plan update.
Policy Statements. Th e Plan includes three levels of policy statements: the Vision &
Goals, Objectives, and Strategies.
✦Vision Statement and Goals of the Community. Th ese are intended to be
broad statements of the direction that the City is headed towards. Goals, by
defi nition, are not measurable. Th ese are contained at the very start of the
Plan and are intentionally grouped together so that they can be seen and
considered as a whole.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
✦Objectives. Th ese are intended to set intentions and, where possible, targets.
Th ey are organized by subject area and are contained within each chapter.
Objectives strive to follow multiple Goals.
✦Strategies. Th ese are specifi c statements of policies and/or types of work to
be done to meet the Objectives laid out in the Plan. Th ey do not reach the
detailed level of a regulation or a management policy but identify the areas for
regulations, policies, and actions to be taken.
AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE
Th e authority to prepare and implement the comprehensive plan is granted to the
city through the Vermont Planning and Development Act, Title 24 of the Vermont
Statutes Annotated, Chapter 117. It is the purpose of the Act to “... encourage the
appropriate development of all lands in this state... in a manner which will promote
the public health, safety against fi re, fl oods, explosions and other dangers ... and to
provide means and methods for the municipalities and regions of this state to plan
for the prevention, minimization and future elimination of such land development
problems as may presently exist or which may be foreseen and to implement those
plans when and where appropriate.”
Th e Vermont Statutes also specifi cally detail a series of elements that are required to be
included in any local plan, and include a series of statewide planning objectives which
local plans are encouraged to be consistent with.
PLANNING PROCESS
Th e development of this plan involved extensive participation among the citizens
of South Burlington, city offi cials, regional entities and the business community. It
has evolved into its present form based largely on committee work, special studies,
policy formulation, discussion and debate conducted over the last 40 years in the
development and adoption of previous comprehensive plans.
In addition to citizen participation forums, the Planning Commission has held
numerous public meetings to review, discuss and debate the various sections of the
plan. Th e drafting of these sections has involved considerable input by city offi cials
and the School District; various city committees such as the Natural Resources
Committee, Energy Committee, Recreation-Leisure Arts Committee, Bike and
Pedestrian Committee, Library Board of Trustees; sub-committees; regional entities
such as the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Champlain Water
District, Chittenden Solid Waste District, and Chittenden County Transit Authority;
and private organizations such as local builders, ad hoc taskforces, the South Burlington
Land Trust, and others.
Th e extensive public input that forms the lifeblood of this plan did not begin or
end with the fi rst full draft published. Th e plan is always present, and hundreds of
stakeholders have contributed throughout the fi ve-year period leading up to its date
of publication.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1-7
Public input has been gathered in all forms, from formal public meetings and
hearings before the Planning Commission, to meetings of special project-focused
committees, to individual direct and indirect citizen input. A substantial portion of
this plan was refi ned through the committees formed in 2012 to develop subject-
specifi c reports: Aff ordable Housing, Open Space, and Sustainable Agriculture. Each
of these committees held several targeted and well-attended community meetings,
and discussion sessions. Stakeholders participated in ice cream socials held on site in
City parks, and residents stopped to talk about issues during visits to the community
farmer’s market. Each ultimately produced a report which provided direct feedback
to be incorporated into the City’s plan. At the same time, the City also appointed the
Form Based Code Committee to work through ideas for improvements to the City
Center area, with a focus on using form-based coding as a tool to improve design in
the District. Th e Committee ultimately proposed a new City Center Form Based Code
Overlay District along with a draft set of recommendations for Planning Commission
consideration.
Other reports and studies include: multiple transportation corridor studies and
network analyses; extensive outreach and documentation associated with the City’s
bid for the Georgetown University Energy Prize; a Public Facilities Taskforce led to a
recommendation for public buildings, functions, and space within the City Center;
an environmental Study provided valuable science-based knowledge of key water and
wildlife resources in the Southeast Quadrant; a 2015 Identity study gave insight to
valued City features and began a conversation on the strategy desired by the City’s
residents, business owners, and employees. Specifi c plans recently completed include
management plans for Red Rocks Park and the Wheeler Nature Park, a vision framework
for the recently acquired Underwood parcel on Spear Street, a transportation network
analysis for the Williston Road / city center area, a Shelburne Road corridor study, and
adoption of a Tax Increment Financing District Plan.
Th e City also participated in and has incorporated various elements of the CCRPC’s
Regional Plan, and a 2015 study directed by the School Board seeks to plan for the
future programming and facility needs of all South Burlington schools.
An ongoing study in the Chamberlin area will provide a unique opportunity to
build a plan for the area in greater depth than has been seen in more than 50 years,
while simultaneously seeking to build a strong and integral relationship between the
neighborhood and the state’s largest airport.
Specifi c plans freshly completed include management plans for Red Rocks Park and
the Wheeler Nature Park. Th e community also provided extensive feedback towards
the use of the recently acquired Underwood parcel on Spear Street.
Electronic methods of outreach have never been more utilized in South Burlington as
were for this Plan. Feedback was solicited and provided via a dedicated website, Th e
Path to Sustainability. A Power of Ten exercise provided a digital conduit for people to
share thoughts and ideas about favorite places, problem areas, and other City notes.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Recreation and school newsletters shared word of the plan and its components. Front
Porch Forum has been helpful in reaching thousands of city households.
Th e input involved in developing the plan will be continued in its implementation.
In addition, the Vermont Planning and Development Act requires the comprehensive
plan to be updated and readopted every fi ve years. Th is is important to address change
that is so prevalent in our lives. Even before the fi ve-year limit, the city will continue
to reevaluate this plan and implementation process in order to best assure a quality
living environment and future for the residents and visitors of South Burlington.
PLANNING HISTORY
In the face of urban pressures, changing land uses and expanding needs, South
Burlington has attempted to plan and control development and the use of land
and water. Th e fi rst zoning ordinance was adopted in 1947. It zoned the town into
residential, business and industrial districts. Th e Offi cial Municipal Plan adopted
in 1953 was the fi rst such plan in the State of Vermont. It delineated new streets
with services, schoolhouses, playgrounds and public buildings. Th e 1947 Zoning
Ordinance was amended to implement the plan.
In 1962, a Comprehensive Plan was drawn up which suggested several capital
improvement guidelines for development. A new Zoning Ordinance was approved
in 1964 based on the 1962 plan. It separated the town into two types of residential
districts, two types of business districts, an industrial district and a planned district. Th e
Comprehensive Plan was amended in 1962. Th at Plan incorporated a Conservation
and Recreational Plan - the fi rst in Vermont - that was produced by the Chittenden
County Natural Resources Committee. Th at study is the basis of South Burlington’s
ongoing eff orts to preserve the community’s natural environment.
During the 1960s South Burlington was the fastest growing municipality in the
State of Vermont and this rapid growth intensifi ed the problem of providing sewage
disposal, streets, traffi c control, fi re and police protection, schools, sanitary landfi ll and
other municipal services. A new Comprehensive Plan in 1974 responded to this rapid
growth rate with a growth policy that called for an increase in residential units and
in population of two %, or the rate of growth in the county, whichever was greater.
Residential construction, consisting almost entirely of multi-family units, increased
rapidly during the late 1970s. Also, commercial activity had been substantial and
several major industries (Digital, New England Telephone and Semicon) located in
the city.
During the period between the 1981 Comprehensive Plan and the 1985 plan, the
plan itself remained essentially the same in an environment of physical, social, and
economic change. Th e 1985 plan refl ected a continuing commitment to the basic
philosophy and goals of the previous plan. Th e changes in the 1985 plan were based
on more current planning data and the experience gained by the various city boards
and commissions in encountering planning issues. Th e magnitude of the change
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1-9
during this period within and around South Burlington strongly suggests the need
for a continuing comprehensive planning eff ort. In 1987, this plan was amended to
include a discussion on a proposed city center for the Dorset Street area.
Th e 1991 Comprehensive Plan continued to promote the general philosophy of those
goals and recommendations contained in the 1985 plan. However, greater emphasis
and fi ne-tuning was placed on certain important issues facing the community. Th ese
included strengthening the city’s desire for a City Center, preserving the special
character of the Southeast Quadrant, and encouraging the transformation of the
city’s Williston Road and Shelburne Road corridors into a more attractive, mixed-use,
traffi c safe environment.
In 1996, the Comprehensive Plan was refi ned to respond to continuing growth in the
city which required renewed planning eff orts to maintain the adequacy of municipal
services, to direct residential, commercial, and industrial growth to appropriate areas,
and to respond to traffi c and other problems that have resulted from development
patterns of previous years.
Th e 2001 Comprehensive Plan was formulated to address the continued planning
eff orts of the city and also to address the new initiatives undertaken. Th e process
of developing this 2001 update to the comprehensive plan began with a citywide
planning process involving hundreds of citizens. Studies and planning work completed
by the Planning Commission from 2000 through 2006 directly carried out many of
these recommendations. An Open Space Strategy was completed in 2002 and was
followed by three Southeast Quadrant studies: Th e Ecological Assessment and Bird
Habitat Study (2004), and a new master land use plan for the Southeast Quadrant
(SEQ) in 2005.
Th e 2006 Plan, readopted in 2011, included a revised and expanded chapter on the
SEQ, refl ecting the results of the studies and input and complementing the zoning
regulations amendments passed that same year encouraging preservation of the areas
of greatest ecological signifi cance, creating a new village center on Dorset Street
around the Chittenden Cider Mill, and making public investments in a series of
connected parks and paths woven around new, walkable and connected residential
neighborhoods through use of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program;
continued implementation is strongly supported by this plan as well.
At the same time, the Chamberlin neighborhood adjacent to the Burlington
International Airport has seen some of its housing stock removed by the Airport and
in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration due to noise impacts from
the airport. Establishing a new integrated transition between these two land uses will
be a focus during the next several years.
Th is 2016 Plan seeks to further build upon these core attributes, focusing on
strengthening policies in support of the community-wide goals listed on page 1-1 of
this plan.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1.4. Implementation
There are many tools and techniques available to the city which can
be used to implement the Comprehensive Plan. This section describes
the general mechanisms which are in place or could be developed to
implement the goals, objectives, and strategies of the city. Other more
specifi c mechanisms for implementation are identifi ed throughout the
other sections of this plan. The timing and funding of the following tasks
will be determined by the annual work program.
LAND DEVELOPMENT (ZONING & SUBDIVISION) REGULATIONS
Th e most commonly used bylaw for controlling development at the local level are
zoning and subdivision regulations. Zoning and subdivision regulations control
the use of land and structures, and the density, height and bulk of development. 24
VSA Chapter 117 spells out specifi c requirements and limitations of any municipal
land development regulations. Th e statutes also provide multiple optional tools that
communities enact under zoning and subdivision, including:
✦Establishment of zoning and overlay districts
✦Site plan and conditional use standards
✦Performance standards
✦Form Based Code inspired standards
✦Inclusionary zoning
✦Waivers
✦Planned unit development
✦Transfer of development rights
Many of these tools are presently used with the South Burlington Land Development
Regulations, including specifi c overlay districts dedicated to fl ood hazard protection,
scenic views, interstates, design review, watershed protection, traffi c, and airport
approaches, and may include additional types in the future in order to implement
this Plan.
OFFICIAL MAP
Th e offi cial map is a local bylaw enabled by State legislation which reserves land for
streets, recreation paths, drainage, parks, schools and other public facilities. Th e city’s
offi cial map should be completely reviewed and revised where appropriate in the
context of this Comprehensive Plan.
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES
Multiple municipal ordinances are used to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
Among those most closely related to land use:
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
1-11
✦Sign ordinance
✦Ordinance regulating the use of public and private sanitary sewerage
✦Peddlers ordinance
✦Backyard chicken ordinance
✦Control and prevention of fi re ordinance
✦Public nuisance ordinance
✦Tree ordinance
✦Impact fee ordinance
LAND ACQUISITION
Th e acquisition of land will be required in order to implement several goals and
recommendations contained in the plan such as the construction of public facilities
including parkland, schools, sewer and water facilities, roads and recreation paths.
Land may be acquired through fee simple acquisition, conditions of subdivision
approval, or donations.
Among the tools implemented by the voters is a $0.01 addition to the annual
municipal property tax. Th e use of those funds is restricted to those provided by
the voters, and can currently be used for purchase of lands intended for open space
and recreation. More details on this fund can be found in the Community Facilities
section of this Plan.
CAPITAL BUDGET AND PROGRAM
Th e city has adopted a capital budget and program in accordance with 24 VSA Section
4426. Th e capital budget, the principal guide for public spending, describes the capital
projects to be undertaken during the coming fi scal year, including the estimated costs
and method of fi nancing. Th e capital program is a ten-year plan describing the capital
projects to be undertaken during this timeframe and is updated annually.
IMPACT FEES
Th e city has adopted an impact fee program in accordance with 24 VSA Chapter
131. Impact fees are a means by which developments are required to pay for their
“fair share” of public capital expenditures needed as a result of their development.
Impact fees may be levied for all improvements meeting this criteria, upon adoption
by the municipality. At present, impact fees are collected and used for transportation,
recreation, fi re, and police capital needs.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
Th e city has designated City Center as a tax increment fi nancing (TIF) district. In
TIF Districts, the cost of infrastructure improvements are funded through the tax
revenue generated by new development within the district which benefi ts from
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
such improvements. It is envisioned that the TIF District will be an important
developmental tool in the City Center.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
Special assessment districts are designated areas in which property owners are charged
to cover the costs of installing capital improvements from which the property owners
will exclusively benefi t. Typical improvements funded by special assessment include
water and sewer service, stormwater infrastructure, sidewalk construction and street
improvements.
REGIONAL, STATE AND FEDERAL COORDINATION
Th e city should continue to cooperate with regional, State and Federal entities and
agencies as necessary to further the goals and policies of this plan. Regional partners
include the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Chittenden Solid
Waste District, Champlain Water District, Champlain Housing Trust, Greater
Burlington Industrial Corporation, Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce, and
Chittenden County Transporation Authority.
ONGOING PLANNING AND STUDIES
Th e City will continue to update the Comprehensive Plan as required by 24 VSA
Section 4387. Th is Plan includes within it recommendation for future action and
studies to be undertaken to help implement its overall goals.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-1
2: COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
2.1. Identity
Th rough several related but separate studies over the past fi ve years, the City has worked
with the community to identify key strengths, concerns, values, and opportunities.
A series of workshops and related website helped to put a geographic face on this
work, identifying places in the community that residents identifi ed as special. Th is
process engaged residents and business owners in a broader conversation about South
Burlington’s identity.
In the spring of 2015, South Burlington began the Community Identity Project to
better understand how the community, its workers, and neighbors viewed the City. A
major goal includes fashioning material that could be used to clearly, succinctly, and
consistently articulate community identity, pride, strength and direction. Th e result
of this outreach have infl uenced this Plan.
Stakeholders had initially identifi ed the need for this for City Center, however, upon
bringing in the consultants and seeing what they had created for other communities, it
was clear to community attendees at the presentation that this was needed throughout
South Burlington.
Th e consultants put together an online survey which was advertised on Front Porch
Forum, via email and also quite extensively in the media. Th e consultants held several
meetings that included community leaders, with high school students, with the
hospitality industry and with the community at large. Th ey also traveled around and
took pictures of the City. What are people proud of? How is the City perceived now?
What about the City should be preserved? What about the City should change?
Th e meetings and the surveys highlighted some interesting things. Generally in the
online survey South Burlingtonians value South Burlington as much as they value
Burlington, but they think other people value South Burlington less than they do.
Th e largest group of survey takers felt that the identity of South Burlington is not very
distinct from that of the region.
Th e survey found that people generally love South Burlington, but that the lack of
community pride in organizing or attending community based events make it diffi cult
to form strong social ties outside of schools, sometimes even in neighborhoods. Th ere
are also many undersung assets, such as the airport, parks, scenic views, a sense of
community and businesses and industry. Finally, it was underscored that most
outsiders’ familiarity with the geography of South Burlington is limited to roads
named for other communities – Williston Road and Shelburne Road.
Th is survey is only one element that has illuminated the perceived identity of the
community. Th e results should be held in context of other past and future forms of
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
outreach. Th e discussion of community identity is one that has only recently begun in
earnest but has great momentum and is expected to have fruitful results.
Th e identity of South Burlington lies within the vision, goals, and objectives laid
out within this plan. Community interests and priorities are refl ected in the plan
components with every eff ort made to showcase the heart and spirit of the City of
South Burlington.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-3
2.2. Social Infrastructure
A. Population
Population is a basic index of community growth and population
projections are a key element in determining a community’s growth-
management policies. Schools, roads, police, water and sewer,
recreational opportunities, preservation of natural resources, scenic
views, congestion, tax rates, and many other determinants of the quality
of life are directly aff ected by changes to a community’s population. To
properly assess current and future needs and impacts on City services,
and other quality of life issues, the characteristics of the community’s
population should be evaluated.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s population identifi ed in this plan include:
✦Increase in the percentage of City residents ranging from 55 to 74 years of age
is a signal of future changes in the types of housing, amenities, facilities and
services residents will be seeking.
Figure 3-7: Statistical Profi le
South Burlington County State
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2010 2010
Population 1,736 3,279 6,903 10,032 10,679 12,809 14,879 17,904 156,545 625,741
Under Age 18 4,136 2,885 2,779 3,415 3,382 31,313 129,233
% of Total Population 41.2 27.0 21.7 22.8 18.9 20.0 20.7
Age 65 or Older 428 812 1,336 2,067 2,887 17,685 91,078
% of Total Population 4.3 7.6 10.4 13.9 16.1 11.3 14.6
Households 1,790 2,750 3,819 5,178 6,332 7,987 61,827 256,442
Single Person 1,281 1,924 2,648 17,109 72,233
% of All Households 24.7 30.4 33.2 27.7 28.2
With Children Under Age 18 1,593 1,848 2,018 17,791 72,680
% of All Households 30.8 29.2 25.2 28.8 28.3
Average Household Size 3.49 2.69 2.42 2.31 2.19 2.37 2.34
Housing Units 525 933 1,273 2,879 3,972 5,437 6,498 8,429 65,722 322,539
Owner Occupied 2,089 2,832 3,709 4,351 5,186 40,310 181,407
% of All Housing Units 72.6 71.3 68.2 67.0 61.5 61.3 56.2
Renter Occupied 661 987 1,469 1,981 2,801 21,517 75,035
% of All Housing Units 23.0 24.8 27.0 30.5 33.2 32.7 23.3
Detached Units 2,891 3,379 3,747 36,894 229,116
% of All Housing Units 53.2 52.0 47.7 58.0 72.9
Attached Units 2,396 3,114 4,113 26,686 85,053
% of All Housing Units 44.1 47.9 52.3 42.0 27.1
Source: US Census
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
✦Continuation of the decline in average household size and increases in the
number of single-person households will keep demand for housing units
growing at a rate faster than overall population growth.
✦Anticipated levelling off of the City’s total population by 2025, alongside
continued new housing demand, will place a greater burden per resident on
municipal services.
✦Declining rates and absolute numbers of children will result in decreased
local school enrollment.
✦Overall population changes - increases in single- and two-person households,
increased population aged 65+, and increased diversity in ethnicity and
background - will warrant continued assessment of the type and method of
delivery of City services.
✦As people continue to move into the City, ongoing eff orts will be needed
to welcome and connect new residents with their community - both at the
neighborhood and city level.
✦Residential development needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis and
measures taken as necessary to maintain a balanced, multi-generational
population as measured over any 10-year period.
INVENTORY
Population Change. South Burlington’s population began to grow rapidly in the
1940s with the development of post-war residential suburbs. Th e rate of growth
remained very high throughout the 1950s and 1960s, when the City added more
than 3,000 residents each decade. Except for the period during the 1970s, the City
has experienced a rate of growth greater than both Chittenden County and Vermont
over the past 50 years. Th is higher rate of growth can most likely be attributed to
a combination of the following factors: the City’s location in the most populous
county in the State, its abundance of open, developable land, and a high quality of
life. Th e average annual growth rate from 2000 to 2010, based on data from the US
Census Bureau was 1.9 %. Th e offi cial population count as of 2010 was 17,904,
up from 14,879 in 2000. In 2014, the City and School District commissioned a
population forecast for the upcoming decade, through 2015. Th e forecast, developed
by McKibbin Demographics based on rigorous data modelling and conservative
South Burlington County State
1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2000s 2000s
Population Growth 1,543 3,624 3,129 647 2,130 2,070 3,025 9,974 16,914
Percent Growth 88.9 110.5 45.3 6.4 19.9 16.2 20.3 6.8 2.8
Average Annual Growth Rate 6.6 7.7 3.8 0.6 1.8 1.5 1.9 0.7 0.3
Household Growth 960 1,069 1,359 1,154 1,655 5,375 15,788
Percent Growth 53.6 38.9 35.6 22.3 26.1 9.5 6.6
Average Annual Growth Rate 4.4 3.3 3.1 2.0 2.3 0.9 0.6
Housing Unit Growth 408 340 1,606 1,093 1,465 1,061 1,931 6,858 28,157
Percent Growth 77.7 36.4 126.2 38.0 36.9 19.5 29.7 11.7 9.6
Average Annual Growth Rate 5.9 3.2 8.5 3.3 3.2 1.8 2.6 1.1 0.9
Source: US Census
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-5County State198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142014PopulationPopulationEstimate(inthousands)12.8 13 13.2 13.5 13.6 14 14.2 14.3 14.5 14.7 14.9 15.3 15.8 16.3 16.5 17 17.1 17.4 17.6 17.6 17.9 18Births126 150 139 177 168 160 143 165 144 155 173 146 180 174 198 196 169 174 166 158 205 172BirthRate9.8 11.5 10.5 13.1 12.2 11.4 10 11.5 9.9 10.5 11.6 9.5 11.4 10.7 12 11.5 9.9 10 9.4 9.0 11.4 9.5Deaths65 68 81 80 83 96 104 93 104 105 111 98 106 144 134 129 148 130 155 133 139 131HousingUnitsPermitted(Census/City)31 55 64 131 57 127 65 26 140 216 214 260 296 132 335 47 165 98 91 99 91 148 92 105 121SingleͲFamilyUnits17 40 39 41 39 30 26 21 60 67 214 145 88 132 72 47 69 63 46 35 25 16 43 29 30MultiͲFamilyUnits14 15 25 90 18 97 39 5 80 149 0 115 2080 263 0 96 35 45 64 66 132 49 76 91MedianSalePrice(inthousand$)103 107 106 113 119 112 113 117 116 123 145 155 163 180 201 195 235 235 240 230 240 246 250 259 237Adjustedto2014$(inthousand$)187 186 179 185 190 174 171 173 168 175 199 207 214 232 252 237 276 269 264 254 261 259 258 263 237NumberofSales282 257 220 274 360 280 283 259 352 472 551 567 470 552 553 635 436 442 356 290 319 282 299 380 396EconomyEstablishments737 831 867 910 913 932 939 938 939 939 970 980 989 1,032 1,043 1,053 1,062 1,086 1,110 1,107 1,086 1,091 1,093 1,116 1,116%ofEstablishmentsinCounty15.4 16.9 17.2 17.7 17.7 17.8 17.5 17.2 17.2 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.7 18.3 18.4 18.4 18.5 18.5 18.5 18.6 18.4 18.3 17.9 17.9 17.6Employees(inthousands)13.5 13.1 13.3 13.9 14.5 15.2 15.9 15.9 16.3 16.8 17.5 17.7 16.9 17.1 17.7 17.9 17.8 17.8 18.4 18.1 18.1 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.5%ofEmployeesinCounty17.5 17.4 17.4 17.8 18.1 18.4 18.7 18.5 18.4 18.4 18.3 18.4 18 18.3 18.6 18.8 18.7 18.7 19.4 19.6 19.4 18.8 18.4 18.3 18.6AverageWage(inthousand$)20.2 20.9 22.2 22.7 22.3 23.5 25.1 26.6 28.6 29.9 32.2 32.5 33.3 34.3 35.6 36.6 39.8 39.1 40.6 40.9 42.4 43.7 45.1 46.1 47.4 49.6 43.0Adjustedto2014$(inthousand$)36.6 36.3 37.5 37.2 35.6 36.5 37.9 39.2 41.5 42.5 44.3 43.4 43.8 44.1 44.6 44.4 46.7 44.6 44.6 45.1 46.0 43.7 46.5 46.8 47.7 49.5 43.0GrossSalesTax(inmillion$)1,054 1,062 1,075 1,111 1,336 1,341 1,352 1,540 1,702 1,518 1,821 1,964 1,877 1,899 1,984 9,174 36,814Adjustedto2014$(inmillion$)1,449 1,420 1,415 1,429 1,674 1,626 1,588 1,758 1,872 1,675 1,977 2,067 1,935 1,930 1,984 9,174 36,814RetailSalesTax(inmillion$)255 288 275 279 297 317 323 318 344 303 314 325 323 323 332 1,592 5,568Adjustedto2014$(inmillion$)351 385 362 359 372 384 379 363 378 334 341 342 333 328 332 1,592 5,568UseSalesTax(inmillion$)16 27 23 17 23 26 17 21 22 17 16 21 21 29 30 92 333Adjustedto2014$(inmillion$)22 36 30 22 29 32 20 24 24 19 1722 22 30 30 92 333SouthBurlington
2-6
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
assumptions, anticipates that the City’s overall population will continue to increase
modestly through 2020 and then level off by 2025 at approximately 18,310 residents.
Natural Increase. Natural increase, the number of births minus the number of deaths,
is one component of population change. While there is considerable fl uctuation in
the City’s annual amount of natural increase, a gradual downward trend has been
evident since the early 1990s. Th e 2014 Population Forecast anticipates a gradually
widening gap of deaths above births, from -70 in 2015 to -220 by 2025. Th is is due
to a combination of factors, including a decrease in the population of women of
child-bearing age, together with an increase in the proportion of the population that
is elderly.
Migration. Net migration (people moving in minus those moving out) is the second
major element driving population change. Over the past 50 years, more of the City’s
population growth has been due to net migration than to natural increase. Th e
2014 Population Forecast anticipates a continued, though slightly declining net in-
migration into the community. Th e Forecast includes in its assumptions, notably, that
there will not be an unexpected regional employer loss in the area. Th e City and region
have fostered a diversity of businesses over the past half-century to help guard against
such situations.
Age Distribution. Over the past 50 years, the age profi le of the City’s population
has shifted considerably. Th e percentage of the population composed of children
under age 18 has declined, while the population segment made up of residents age
65 or older has grown. Th e US Census Bureau reported that the median age of City
residents in 2010 was 40.6. In 2010, 18.9 % of residents were under age 18, and
16.1 % were age 65 or older. Th ose percentages are forecasted to be declining, and
increasing, respectively, in the coming years, with the median age expected to reach
over 44 by 2025.
Household Size. Household size has been declining across the country for many
decades. Th e City’s average household has declined from around 3.5 people in 1970
to 2.19 people in 2010. Th is has led the number of households to grow at a faster rate
than the population.
Household Composition. Th e characteristics of the City’s households have also
changed markedly in recent decades. Single people currently make up one-third of the
City’s households, while another quarter are married couples without children living at
home. Only one-quarter of households include children under age 18. Evidence from
the past decade suggests that the percentage of single-person households in the City
is relatively stable. Because of the presence of UVM, this segment of the population
includes young adults in addition to elders.
Population Diversity. Th e Census Bureau estimates that 11% of the City’s population
was foreign-born in the years 2009-2013, and 13% spoke a language other than
English at home. Of these, approximately one-third, or roughly 700 residents, report
speaking English less than “very well.” In terms of race, 90% of the City’s population
reported as White in 2010. Th e next largest population segment was Asian, at 5.4%.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-7
Household Income. In 2013, the median family and household incomes in the
Burlington-South Burlington Metropolitan Statistical Area were $81,871 and
$62,022, respectively, according to the US Census Bureau’s American Community
Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates. Th e mean incomes were $101,757 and $81,011
respectively.
Not surprisingly, housing costs for households with lower incomes are typically higher
as a percentage of income. Th e majority of households in each income bracket up to
$50,000 annually paid more than 30% of their incomes towards housing costs.
Approximately 5.1% of the City’s population was below the poverty level in 2013,
according to the ACS’s 2013 5-year estimates. Th is was spread relatively evenly among
age groups except for the population 65 years of age and over, which was at just 3.6%.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Aging Population. Th e aging population trend is visible throughout Vermont and
many places around the country as each generation born after the baby boomers has
been smaller in numbers. South Burlington and Chittenden County have generally
had a younger population than the state as a whole, but that gap has been narrowing
in recent years. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some housing built in recent years
has been attracting retired couples. Th e 2015 Population Forecast noted that there
will be a increase in the number and proportion of persons aged 55 to 74 years. Th ese
changes in the demographics will likely aff ect the regional economy, as well as local
demand for housing, education, health care, and other services.
Smaller Households. Th e average household size is anticipated to continue to
decline in the near term, thus ensuring that the rate of household formation will
remain high in the City even if population growth slows. It is the number of
households, as opposed to residents, that primarily drive demand for housing and
many City services. Th e amount of decline will be linked to the age distribution and
socioeconomic characteristics of the City’s future residents. Over the next several
decades, it is likely that household size will stabilize to a level between 2.0 to 2.5 people,
although changes in the regional economy could cause unexpected shifts in either
direction. Th e uncertainty around average household size is a challenge to estimating
housing needs based on population projections. Any decrease in household size will
continue to place pressure on City and school services such as emergency response,
infrastructure maintenance, permitting, land records, and more as the numbers of
homes and amount of infrastructure increases at a greater rate than the population of
taxpayers..
Migration. Th e role of migration in South Burlington’s growth rate also makes it
more diffi cult to project population change. Birth rates are linked to the demographic
profi le of current residents, but the economic factors that drive people to move into
or out of an area are less predictable. Further, rapid turnover in the City’s population
poses a challenge for eff orts to engage residents in the community and neighborhood-
level planning.
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Loss of Young Families. Research initiated by the South Burlington School District
examining early childhood education has indicated a consistent trend of young families
moving out of South Burlington in the years following the birth of their children. An
analysis of birth rates and subsequent school enrollment fi ve years later has shown a
drop in several successive years.
FUTURE TRENDS AND NEEDS
Population Forecast and Planning. Th e City and School District in 2014 engaged
McKibbin Demographic Research to undertake a 10-year Population and Enrollment
Forecast for the community. It anticipates modest increases in population through
2020 and a levelling off by 2025. Th is diff ers from the last projections completed by
the City in 2006, which had anticipated continued growth. Th is projection suggested
that by 2015, the City’s population could exceed 21,000. Census data, combined
with the economic downturn that began in 2008, indicate that this estimate was
substantially high.
It is the City’s responsibility to provide opportunities for a fair and reasonable amount
of new population and housing units to help meet regional demands. While both
“excessive growth” and “stagnation” have their disadvantages, most City residents
accept a moderate rate of growth as normal and healthy for the community. Th e
City, therefore, sees no compelling advantage to becoming a “magnet” for a large
proportion of the county’s population growth, nor to adopting a “no growth” policy.
Monitoring and anticipating future changes in population and demographics are
critical to future planning for City services, in terms of capital needs, facility planning,
staffi ng needs, recreation and open space planning, and transportation needs.
It is recommended that trends in absolute population be monitored closely, and
also be monitored together with equally important trends in housing construction,
commercial development, and employment. Separately and together, these four
subject areas have a signifi cant impact on municipal and school services, fi nancing,
and needs.
With the anticipated development of City Center, the City will plan to continue its
historic housing growth rate of 1.5-2%, and a population growth rate of 1-1.5%. Th is
long-term growth rate represents a conservative approach to planning for future needs.
Should the community experience prolonged periods of population change that varies
dramatically from this estimate, the City will need to either reevaluate its planning
assumptions and adjust accordingly, or consider the implementation of growth
management techniques to either foster or suppress growth as needed. Techniques
could include development phasing, sewer allocations, impact fees, or zoning
amendments.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-9
POPULATION OBJECTIVES
Objective 1. Anticipate and prepare for an average annual population
growth rate of approximately 1-1.5 %, and a housing growth
rate of 1.5-2 %.
POPULATION STRATEGIES
Strategy 1. Monitor the rate of population growth and land use development on an annual basis, as
measured over 10-year averages.
Strategy 2. Use growth management techniques, such as development phasing and sewer allocations, to
ensure that the rate of development does not outstrip the City’s ability to provide services in a
cost-eff ective manner.
Strategy 3. Regularly evaluate the impacts of changes in population and housing growth rates for their
fi nancial and programmatic impacts on City services.
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B. Housing
Shelter is a basic need and providing for housing is a fundamental
element of this plan. Provision of safe and aff ordable housing that is well-
matched to residents’ circumstances is an essential requirement for the
City to maintain its quality of life, retain existing businesses and support
further economic development, and attract future residents. A diversity
of housing options at a range of price points is a necessary component of
any plan to maintain or grow the local economy.
The need for an increased supply of housing aff ordable to middle
and lower income households is recognized in this plan and has been
recognized in several previous plans. In recognition of this need, the
City adopted Land Development Regulations providing bonuses and
incentives for the development of aff ordable housing in 2003. These
regulations played a role in the development of the City’s 605 aff ordable
housing units.
In 2012 the City Council established an ad hoc Aff ordable Housing
Committee to research and make recommendations regarding what
the City might do to address the growing gap between the need for
and supply of aff ordable housing in the City. In addition, in November
2014, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution establishing a
South Burlington Housing Trust Fund and creating a standing Aff ordable
Housing Committee; in January 2015, the City Council voted to include
$50,000 for this Trust Fund in the fi scal year 2016 budget, which the City’s
voters approved in March 2015.
The ad hoc Aff ordable Housing Committee’s 2013 report states:
“There is a critical need for more housing in South Burlington that local
residents can aff ord – including young adults just starting out, young
families looking for a fi rst home, employees of local businesses, and a
growing number of seniors on fi xed incomes.”
Several of the objectives, techniques, and strategies included in this
chapter are based on the Aff ordable Housing Committee’s work and
recommendations.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s housing stock and residential development
trends identifi ed in this plan include:
✦Preserving and promoting the development of additional housing that is
aff ordable to households of all income levels throughout the City.
✦Meeting the housing needs of increasing numbers of single-person households
and seniors.
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2-11
✦Supporting the quality of life of the City’s residential neighborhoods.
✦Complementing new development areas with redevelopment of low-density,
single-use commercial areas to higher-density mixed-use areas and appropriate
infi ll within existing neighborhoods.
INVENTORY
Existing Housing Stock. Th e analysis prepared for the Aff ordable Housing
Committee found a total of 7,940 dwelling units in South Burlington as of 2010. Th e
City’s housing stock includes 1,348 (17%) apartments in multi-unit buildings; 2,873
(36%) condominium units; and 3,719 (47%) residences with land. Th e number of
accessory dwelling units is not known. Approximately 65% of the housing stock is
owner-occupied while 35 % comprises rental units.
Residential Construction. Th e number of housing units in South Burlington has
grown steadily each decade since the fi rst Census housing count in 1940. Between
1940 and 2010, nearly 8,750 dwellings were constructed in the City. Th e City
experienced rapid housing growth during the period from the late-1970s through
the mid-1980s, largely due to multi-family development, which includes both rental
housing and condominium style ownership. During the late-1980s and early-1990s,
the rate of housing growth slowed and new construction shifted to predominantly
single-family detached dwellings. For a period of time in the late 1990s and early
2000s, the rate of housing construction in the City averaged around 200 units per
year and South Burlington again experienced increased development of multi-unit
structures. Th e late 2000’s and early 2010’s saw a decrease in the amount of residential
dwelling units built. Indications of the last few years are that the number of housing
units constructed annually has increased slightly. Over the last 35 years, the City has
averaged approximately 140 units per year with cyclical fl uctuations.
Th e type of housing units being built in the City over the past 25 years has been weighted
toward multi-family structures, including both apartment rental and condominium
ownership. According to the Census Bureau, the City added 835 owner-occupied and
820 rental units during the 2000s. Th is represented a 20% increase in owner-occupied
housing and a 40% increase in rental housing. During the past decade, 70% of the
new homes on their own lot built in the City were valued at more than $400,000 and
another 24% were valued between $350,000 and $400,000. Meanwhile, over 100
of the City’s stock of entry-level homes have been lost to demolition near the airport;
elsewhere, conversion to other uses, for example, rentals to unrelated individuals, has
resulted in additional losses of entry-level homes available for owner-occupancy.
Age and Condition. Th e quality of building workmanship, design, and materials
used in the City’s existing housing stock appears to not pose a threat to the health and
safety of residents. Only seven percent of the City’s housing stock dates from before
World War II, with more than half having been constructed since 1980.
Owner-Occupied Homes. Th e cost of owner-occupied housing in South
Burlington has risen sharply in recent years in response to the tight housing market in
northwestern Vermont and due to the addition of new higher-priced units. Th e 2011
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median sale price of a single-family home in South Burlington was $310,000 and of
a condominium was $186,000.
Rental Market. In 2010, median rent for a South Burlington apartment was just over
$1,000 a month. Over the past 10 years, monthly rents have increased approximately
$200. As of 2011, South Burlington’s rental housing stock included 605 aff ordable
units, about 60% of which house elderly or disabled residents. Most of these aff ordable
rental units were constructed between 1995 and 2003. Since then only 91 aff ordable
rental units, all for seniors, have been built.
Aff ordability. Aff ordable housing helps to retain and attract a qualifi ed work force
and provides an opportunity for fi rst-time home buyers and older residents to remain
in the City. Recent Census Bureau estimates indicate that nearly one-third of SB
homeowners (1,600 households) and one-half of renters (1,350 households) spend
more than 30 % of their income on housing. About 1,000 of these households—
nearly 600 renters and 400 owner households—are severely cost burdened, spending
more than 50% of their household income on housing.
About 28% of the City’s existing owner-occupied housing stock is aff ordable. A
median income South Burlington household ($61,000 per year) can aff ord a home
priced at no more than $205,000. Approximately 2,000 City households have annual
incomes of less than $40,000. A three-person household earning up to 50% of area
median income (AMI) would have an annual income of no more than $33,000 and
could aff ord to spend $800 per month on housing. At 80% of AMI, a three-person
household would be earning $53,000 per year and could aff ord to spend $1,300 per
month on housing. A three-person household earning 120% of AMI would have an
annual income of $80,000 and could aff ord to spend up to $2,000 per month on
housing. Th ese HUD-established incomes limits are for a three-person household in
the Burlington–South Burlington MSA.
Housing Targets. Th e 2013 ECOS Plan (Chittenden County’s Regional Plan) calls
for the need for additional housing throughout the county.
To meet the City’s goals for diversity and aff ordability, a wider spectrum of housing
will have to be built in South Burlington. How much aff ordable and moderate-income
housing should be built in South Burlington? Th is Plan includes aff ordable housing
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-13
targets that seek to maintain a housing profi le that is fairly similar to what presently
exists in the City with a diversity of housing types across the price range. Th e fi gure
included herein depicts the current South Burlington housing profi le vis-à-vis housing
type and aff ordability.
By adopting housing targets based on aff ordability for low- and moderate-income
households, South Burlington will be able to monitor and assess the eff ectiveness of
City regulations, incentives and/or programs designed to foster housing production
in support of its vision and goals. Th e targets should be regularly reviewed and the
underlying assumptions re-evaluated to ensure they refl ect current needs, conditions,
and policies in the City.
Ten-Year Aff ordable Housing Targets. Based on the Aff ordable Housing Committee
report’s recommendation, this plan includes targets of construction, by 2025, of 1,080
new aff ordable housing units - 840 housing units aff ordable to households earning up
to 80% of the AMI and 240 housing units aff ordable to households earning between
80% and 120% of the AMI.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Aff ordability. Maintaining the City’s current housing profi le, based on housing
type and price range, represents a major challenge for South Burlington. Th e City
has experienced a steady increase in the number of housing units and its housing
growth rate has slightly outpaced that of the county. Meanwhile, regional demand for
additional housing units has been high and vacancy rates low over the past decade as
the household growth rate slightly outstripped housing construction. Th ese factors
are major contributors to the City’s and region’s very tight housing market. With
more than one in three households spending more than 30% of their income on
housing, the need for more aff ordable housing is critical. In addition, the City strives
to be a place in which its workforce can aff ord to live. South Burlington is a regional
job center, with nearly 1,100 employers and 18,000 jobs as reported by the Vermont
Department of Labor. However, only 13% of those working in South Burlington also
live in the City (U.S. Census/ LEHD). Th is raises the question of whether local wage
earners earn enough to aff ord local housing.
Employment data highlights the need for more aff ordable workforce housing, close
to employment, in the City as well as in neighboring communities. Th e majority of
City jobs (82%) are in the service sector, paying an average wage in 2011 of $41,500,
enough to aff ord a home priced at $152,000. Many of the most common jobs in
this sector, including typically part-time retail employment, pay even less. City
government jobs pay an average wage of $46,000, enough to aff ord a home that costs
no more $168,500, assuming one wage earner and no other sources of income. Th is
is important to monitor for employees’ ease of travel to work for either emergency
response or community engagement.
Changing Demographics. Much of South Burlington’s housing has been constructed
to meet the needs of families with children. Future housing development needs to take
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
into account the City’s changing population. As a result of recent trends, around
70% of the City’s households consist of one or two people; only 25% of the City’s
households are families with children under age 18; and around 40% of the City’s
households are headed by someone age 55 or older. Th e number of older households
is expected to increase over the next decade. Around 44% of the City’s population
is between age 20 and 35 – including those who are entering the housing market, or
looking to buy their fi rst home.
Community input suggests that many of these households are seeking housing that
is smaller than that developed in the past and/or housing with limited maintenance
requirements. Furthermore, the trend for both younger and older, smaller households
often is to rent rather than own their own home.
Smart Growth. After close to seven decades of continued residential construction,
a relatively small amount of undeveloped land remains available in the City. South
Burlington will need to look increasingly to opportunities for higher-density, mixed-
use development in targeted growth areas like City Center and other infrastructure-
served portions of the community, as well as increased density and infi ll development
within existing neighborhoods in order to meet demand for additional housing units.
In addition, the City should strive to attain the Chittenden County Regional Planning
Commission’s ECOS Plan goal of having 80% of new development take place in areas
planned for growth, which amounts to 15% of the (Chittenden County’s) Land area.
Th is Plan is consistent with the Regional Plan’s growth areas.
Building Codes. A central element in any housing policy is the assurance of good
quality in both existing units and new construction. Due to the number of attached
residential units, the high density of development in many parts of the City, and the
aging or subdivision of dwellings, the need for building, plumbing, and electrical codes
is increasing. Th e existence of such codes can decrease insurance premiums, as well
as stabilize the future requirements for fi refi ghters and equipment in maintaining the
same degree of fi re protection. Currently, the City does not have municipal building
codes. Th e construction of rental and multi-unit housing in the City is regulated by
State of Vermont Fire Codes through the South Burlington Fire Marshall’s Offi ce.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Aff ordability. Th e proportion of new aff ordable residential units, both rental and
owner-occupied, built in South Burlington in the coming decade must increase
substantially in order to support its economic vitality and maintain its current housing
profi le. It is clear that the market alone will not produce that supply. Th e City has no
direct control over such cost factors as increases in labor, materials, down payments,
or mortgage rates and availability of credit. However, the City can infl uence housing
cost factors in other areas such as amount and density of land zoned for diff erent types
of residential uses including positively promoting mixed-use development, length and
consistency of governmental reviews, extent of “front end” subdivision improvements
and other expenses, and participation in State initiatives such as Neighborhood
Development Areas.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-15
Techniques that can be used to encourage and, in some circumstances, require the
development and preservation of aff ordable housing,include the following:
✦Reexamination of the defi nition of “density” to consider building and unit
size as well as units/acre.
✦Creative site development, such as clustering, to reduce lot size and site
development costs.
✦Density bonuses or incentives to encourage the development of aff ordable
housing.
✦Financial and advocacy support for South Burlington’s Housing Trust Fund.
✦Higher densities and smaller lot sizes.
✦Involvement of housing organizations such as the Champlain Housing Trust
and Cathedral Square to construct or rehabilitate aff ordable housing in the
City.
✦Promotion of mixed-use developments that create a variety of housing
opportunities within commercial areas located centrally to public
transportation and other services.
✦Location of aff ordable, elderly, and/or higher-density housing near schools,
parks, shopping centers, employment centers, daycare facilities, transportation
corridors, emergency services, and public transportation.
Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund. Th e South Burlington Housing Trust Fund was
established by the City Council on November 17, 2014. Its purpose is to provide
an ongoing stream of funds to support strategic participation in development that
will increase the City’s stock of housing that is aff ordable to households with income
below 80 % of median. Among the potential strategies to accomplish this objective,
the Trust Fund may (1) participate in new housing development by providing needed
funds to support the fi nancing of a project undertaken by a non-profi t or for profi t
developer that meets the City’s aff ordability standards, (2) participate fi nancially in
projects that preserve existing aff ordable housing stock in the City, (3) provide pre-
development funding under strict guidelines to housing agencies or developers to
assess the feasibility of a planned aff ordable housing project in the City and (4) support
or participate in the purchase of land intended for aff ordable housing development.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
✦The Path to Aff ordability: South Burlington 2013 Aff ordable Housing
Report
HOUSING OBJECTIVES
Objective 2. Off er a full spectrum of housing choices that includes options
aff ordable to households of varying income levels and sizes by
striving to meet the housing targets set forth in this Plan.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Objective 3. Foster the creation and retention of a housing stock that is
balanced in size and target income level, is representative of
the needs of households of central Chittenden County, and
maintains an effi cient use of land for use by future generations.
Objective 4. Support the retention of existing and construction of new
aff ordable and moderate-income housing, emphasizing both
smaller single family homes and apartments, to meet demand
within the regional housing market.
Objective 5. Build and reinforce diverse, walkable neighborhoods that
off er a good quality of life by designing and locating new and
renovated housing in a context-sensitive manner that will
facilitate development of a high-density, City Center, mixed-
used transit corridors, and compact residential neighborhoods.
HOUSING STRATEGIES
Strategy 4. Implement a variety of tools and programs to foster innovative approaches to preserving and
increasing the City’s supply of aff ordable and moderate income housing. Potential tools should
be explored and could include form-based codes that would allow a variety of residential and
mixed use building types, transferable development rights, neighborhood preservation overlay
districts, household defi nition regulations, inclusionary zoning, bonuses and incentives, waivers
and expedited review processes, and/or a housing retention ordinance.
Strategy 5. Increase the supply of safe and aff ordable rental housing by allowing higher-density, mixed-
use and mixed-income development within City Center and transit corridors, allowing multi-
unit housing within transitional zones between residential neighborhoods and commercial/
industrial land uses.
Strategy 6. Promote the preservation of existing housing stock in residential neighborhoods, particularly
the supply of aff ordable and moderately-priced homes.
Strategy 7. Accommodate compatible infi ll and additions to homes in existing neighborhoods.
Strategy 8. Explore innovative land development regulations that allow for a range of residential building
and neighborhood types, including but not limited to cottage housing, clustered housing and
infi ll residential development.
Strategy 9. Streamline administrative policies for aff ordable housing and consider reducing or eliminating
permit and impact fees for aff ordable housing.
Strategy 10. Develop strategies that can lead to the availability or development of more housing that
is aff ordable to middle income, working residents and families in the City. Work through
the CCRPC with surrounding communities to increase the inventory of housing that is more
aff ordable to families. Consider development of a program that enables “empty nesters”
occupying “family” sized housing to comfortably downsize into a multi-family unit that may be
available nearby keeping them in their neighborhood but freeing the former home up for new
generations of young families.
Strategy 11. Study the need for the City to adopt and enforce local building, plumbing, electrical, fi re, and
energy codes; study the need for a rental registry program, and strengthen the enforcement
of the City’s land development regulations and state’s rental housing code to protect residents’
health and safety and preserve the quality of life in and character of the City’s residential
neighborhoods.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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Strategy 12. Promote the construction of new homes - particularly aff ordable and moderate-income
units - that are highly energy-effi cient, and upgrades to existing homes to make them more
energy-effi cient, which will reduce residents’ overall cost of living and contribute to housing
aff ordability.
Strategy 13. Target for construction, by 2025, of 1,080 new aff ordable housing units - 840 housing units
aff ordable to households earning up to 80% of the AMI and 240 housing units aff ordable to
households earning between 80% and 120% of the AMI.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
C. Economy
The continued vitality of the City and quality of life for our residents
depends heavily on the continued prosperity of its businesses and
industries. The local economy is the engine that drives people to move
in or out of the community. Demand for housing, transportation and
infrastructure are linked to the local economy. A healthy economy
supports municipal services and the education system. Maintaining a
balance of employment and residential opportunities preserves the
City’s sense of community and quality of life.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the economic development trends identifi ed in this
plan include:
✦Convenient access to employment either within the City or within a short
commute to neighboring employment centers in Chittenden County is a key
component of the City’s quality of life. South Burlington boasts one of the
shortest average commutes in the nation at around 15 minutes. Th is results in
residents having more time available for their families, recreational activities,
volunteering, etc., having to spend less of their income on fuel and vehicle
expenses, and having a smaller carbon footprint.
✦South Burlington’s economy is characterized by a diverse mix of businesses,
including several large companies and many small- to medium-size fi rms, and
the City has been considered a good location to start a business for decades. As
land becomes an increasingly scarce resource in the City, the cost of locating
a new business in South Burlington may increase and could cause the City to
become cost-prohibitive for start-up companies and small, local enterprises.
Th is challenge may be addressed to some extent through eff orts to promote
more compact, mixed-use development and redevelopment of underutilized
properties.
✦Th e presence of Burlington International Airport and I-89 in the City
continues to provide a strong foundation for the City’s economy and future
economic development eff orts. However, there is potential for capturing
more “visitor dollars” within the City with improved facilities and amenities.
INVENTORY
Economic Profi le. South Burlington is home to a diverse array of small, medium,
and large businesses. In 2014, the Vermont Department of Labor counted more
than 1,100 establishments and approximately 18,200 jobs in the City (this fi gure,
however, does not refl ect all businesses and employment in the City as it excludes
the self-employed and many small businesses with no additional employees). South
Burlington has maintained a fairly steady rate of economic growth over the past three
decades, which is partially due to the fact that the community’s economic health is not
dependent on a single large employer or business sector.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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Strong increases in employment in South Burlington have resulted in the City
becoming an employment center in the region. Th e City’s daytime population exceeds
its nighttime population by approximately 7,000 people.
Employers. Th e City is home to a wide range of employers, from many small
businesses, to headquarters of several national and international fi rms. Th e Burlington-
South Burlington Metropolitan Statistical Area was home to 5,852 fi rms in 2012.
Of these, 4,645 employed fewer than 20 people. Conversely, there were 440 fi rms
that employ over 500 persons nationally and accounted for nearly 50% of the entire
workforce. In recent years, employment in the offi ce, service, and medical fi elds have
been strong in South Burlington. A handful of high tech manufacturers have also
located or expanded in the City in recent years.
Employment. Total employment was steady and increased by approximately 400 jobs
in South Burlington between 2009 and 2014, according to the Vermont Department
of Labor. Since 2000, jobs have increased by approximately 1,000, after robust growth
in the early-mid 2000s and a decline around the recession of 2008. Th e majority of
the job growth in the past 15 years has been in the Health & Educational Services and
Professional and Business Service sectors, which grew by approximately 1,400 and
700 jobs respectively. Th e Manufacturing and Construction sectors declined by nearly
900 jobs between 2000 and 2010, but has rebounded by 200 jobs in the fi ve years
since. Th e Retail and Leisure & Hospitality Sectors have seen small declines in total
numbers and a drop in the proportion of total jobs in the City in the past 15 years,
from roughly 36% of the total to 30%.
Wages. Wages in Chittenden County are notably higher than those for the remainder
of Vermont. South Burlington’s average household wages in the years 2010-2014 are
slightly below the Chittenden County average, however, according to the Vermont
Department of Labor. It is possible that this is a refl ection of the high number of one-
and two-person households in the City.
Labor Force. South Burlington is an employment center and a net importer of workers
from throughout the region. Of the people working in the City, approximately 18%
live in South Burlington and 17% live in Burlington. Another 27% live in Colchester,
Essex, Milton, and Winooski. Most of the remaining workers commute from towns
throughout Chittenden, Franklin and Addison counties.
Where local residents work and where workers come from to work locally is highly
indicative of established economic and trade patterns. A large majority of South
Burlington residents who work do so within a relatively small area, with 89% working
in South Burlington, Burlington, Essex, Colchester or Williston. Th is is an advantage
of living in the midst of a major job center. In contrast, workers who commute to South
Burlington do so from a broader geographic area, including a number of regional
communities that are rural in nature and which have very little local employment.
South Burlington and the immediately surrounding communities constitute
Vermont’s principal job center. As such, local residents are generally able to commute
short distances to good jobs. However, the attraction of this job center draws in a
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
substantial number of workers from surrounding areas. Th ese workers create market
potentials for City businesses.
Commercial and Industrial Development. South Burlington has experienced steady
non-residential growth since the 1980s. Since 2000, non-residential development has
added approximately 1.1% to the Grand List each year.
Retail Sector. Th e Retail Sector, with 3,310 jobs (18% of the total) in 2014, remains
the highest single employment sector in the City. Its share of total employment in the
community has dropped slightly over the past decade. Th is is likely a refl ection more
of the growth of other sectors, though the retail Sector itself has dropped slightly in
actual numbers as well. Retail sales have seen steady increases in the past 5 years, to
approximately $332 million in 2014. Th is represents 21% of all retail sales in the
County.
Professional and Business Services Sector. Th e professional and business services
sector is the City’s second largest employer accounting for 17 % of jobs. Th is sector
has also been the among the fastest growing in recent years.
Educational and Health Services Sector. Th e educational and health services
sector is the fastest growing sector in the City. As of 2014, it accounts for 12.5% of all
jobs in the City and has increased by nearly 1,400 jobs since 2000.
Travel Sector. Chittenden County’s travel profi le diff ers from the remainder of the
state because a relatively high component of the region’s travel activity is generated
by business and commercial, rather than tourist or recreational, travel. Th e region’s
travel activity is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, so travel oriented
businesses in the region can count on a steadier fl ow of business without signifi cant
seasonal fl uctuations. South Burlington is not regarded as a tourist destination, but
the City benefi ts from a combination of travel factors (the proximity of the airport and
interstate) and a location with good access to many of the region’s major employers.
Th e lodging industry has a major presence in South Burlington. Leisure and Hospitality
jobs represent 12.5% of the total employment in the City. Th at fi gure has declined
slightly in the past 15 years, in both the share and total amount.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Balanced Growth. It has been South Burlington’s objective to balance residential and
non-residential development in order to maintain a more stable tax rate for the City’s
property owners. Th e City has generally aimed for, and largely achieved, a one-to-one
ratio between the value of residential and non-residential property.
While the one-to-one ratio has been a long-time objective of the City, recent changes
in the state’s education funding formula have somewhat reduced the benefi t the City’s
residential property owners receive from South Burlington’s large non-residential tax
base. Further analysis is needed to determine if this objective should be adjusted in
future years as the State’s education funding formula continues to evolve.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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Burlington International Airport. Lodging managers in the City indicate that the
Burlington International Airport is a signifi cant factor for them in terms of business
generation. Activity at the airport has increased in recent years, a factor of physical
improvements and the emergence of discount airlines as a factor in the aviation
industry. Airport enplanements increased at an annual rate of 5.2 % between 2000
and 2003 and approximately three to four percent from 2003 through 2008, the
start of the economic downturn. In the two years that followed, airport enplanements
dropped due to economic conditions, runway reconstruction, and national trends.
Th e airport’s master plan anticipates a long-term trend of three percent annual growth
in enplanements. Th is master plan is evaluated on a periodic basis.
Economic Development Organizations. Th e City supports several organizations
devoted to promoting economic development including the Greater Burlington
Industrial Corporation (GBIC) and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of
Commerce. In 2014, the South Burlington Business Association was formed as a local
non-profi t, membership organization. Th e City has been an engaged member of the
organization.
Economic Vitality and Quality of Life. It is important to note herein that the
economic viability and quality of life in South Burlington is intricately tied to many
other aspects of this plan. Notably among them are community services, public
infrastructure, housing aff ordability, energy-effi ciency, and renewable energy.” Quality
jobs draw a quality workforce, who in turn need and deserve safe and aff ordable
housing. Th ese employees need and deserve access to public services, including
emergency services, and access to multiple modes of transportation. New employment
centers require reliable infrastructure for their employees, customers, and products.
Th e City acknowledges and prioritizes each of these, and this plan provides more
details for each in the relevant chapters.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Aging Workforce. While South Burlington boasts a younger demographic than most
Vermont communities, the aging of the workforce over the next several decades is
anticipated to be a challenge to businesses statewide. As the baby boom generation
leaves the workforce, employers will need to replace them with younger workers. A
lack of aff ordable housing and available job opportunities that match the education
and skills of Vermont’s young adults have led many to leave the state to start their
careers for more than a decade. Th is trend, if not reversed, could result in a very tight
labor market in which businesses are unable to attract the workforce necessary to
sustain and grow their operations.
Mixed Use Areas and City Center. Th e City Center area represents an opportunity
for high quality employment in an urban setting. Th e City has not previously had
this particular environment, with professional employment opportunities slated to be
closely tied to a walkable downtown with services, retailers, restaurants, and housing.
Th is will be an opportunity for the community to experience a new market.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Transportation-Land Use Connection. Future employment and mixed-use
development will necessitate a transportation system that meets the demands of the
local and regional area. Future mixed-use employment centers in areas such as City
Center, along Kimball Avenue, Tilley Drive, Williston Road, and Shelburne Road
should be planned alongside needed transportation improvements and be designed
to be walkable and bikeable both within the corridors themselves and effi ciently
connected to adjacent local and regional housing and employment centers.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
✦2015 City of South Burlington Identity Study
ECONOMY OBJECTIVES
Objective 6. Continue to be an economic hub for the region consistent with
the land use goals of the City.
Objective 7. Maintain a balanced ratio of residential and non-residential
sectors of the grand list in order to provide quality municipal
services at a manageable property tax rate.
Objective 8. Maintain a stable and proportional tax for existing and future
residents and businesses.
Objective 9. Be a good partner with businesses in helping them locate in
South Burlington or continue to grow here.
ECONOMY STRATEGIES
Strategy 14. Engage in an active employer visitation program where senior City staff are meeting on a
regular basis with South Burlington businesses in order to understand the factors, pressures
and opportunities that aff ect their growth and prosperity. Focus discussions with employers on
initiatives that the City can take to support the growth of their business. Consider sector-wide
meetings on a quarterly basis with identifi ed employers to understand specifi c industry trends
and to bring like employers together in a way that can provide mutual support for growth.
Strategy 15. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of City regulations relating to permitting with an eye toward
ways to eliminate outdated or duplicative requirements and to further streamline the process
of obtaining needed permits with a specifi c focus on improving predictability of the process.
Move as much of the permitting process online as is viable to improve customer access and
service.
Strategy 16. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of all fee requirements tied to the local permitting process
to ensure that fees are both appropriate to the service being provided and competitive with
neighboring communities and the state.
Strategy 17. Develop transportation capacity across all transportation modes including bike, pedestrian,
transit and autos. Make investments in additional infrastructure that adds capacity where
growth is occurring or where it is planned to occur that reduces ride times and promotes
connectivity.
Strategy 18. Identify one or two key business clusters where combined eff orts could lead to business
recruitment opportunities that tie into that cluster.
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Strategy 19. Bring business leaders together with the School District leadership to develop a robust school
to work program that could include focused coursework, intern and apprenticeships, job
shadowing, career advising and development and other means to facilitate student transitions
to work environments. Have biannual meetings between school and business leadership
to understand and anticipate changes in the work environment and the demand for new or
evolving skills.
Strategy 20. Conduct a comprehensive study of the cost of delivery of all local public services to ensure
that the very best value is being provided to all taxpayers including employers. Look for
opportunities to provide the same or better quality of services to all taxpayers at a reduced
cost. This value driven approach to providing public services will create a more welcoming
environment for business development.
Strategy 21. Work with hospitality leaders to evaluate the opportunities for a public-private partnership to
increase convention or athletic event infrastructure that will improve our ability to attract right
sized conventions, athletic and cultural events to our community.
Strategy 22. Work with adjoining municipalities and regional entities to resolve potential spillover eff ects
resulting from economic growth and development.
Strategy 23. Brand and actively market the City with the community vision and image expressed in this
plan.
Strategy 24. Develop a strategic economic development plan for the City.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
D. Community Facilities and Services
One of the purposes of a comprehensive plan is to identify services
currently available to City residents, evaluate the eff ectiveness of the
municipality and other providers in delivering those services, anticipate
future demands and assess whether those demands can be met effi ciently
and without negatively impacting the fi scal health of the City.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the provision of community facilities and services
include:
✦City administration (including the Recreation Department, City Clerk’s
offi ce, Planning and Zoning, City Attorney, IT, City Manager’s Offi ce, and
the Tax Department), the Library and School District all have identifi ed
needs for improved and/or expanded facilities that will need to be met in
the near future. Th is poses both a challenge and an opportunity for the City.
It will be a challenge to fund multiple improvements simultaneously and to
prioritize those needs. Yet, there is the opportunity to address multiple needs
with a single solution, which could be more effi cient and cost-eff ective in
the long-term. Th ere is also the opportunity to better align provision of key
community facilities and services with the City’s vision and future goals such
as development of City Center, creating an identity for South Burlington,
energy effi cient and green civic buildings, improved walkability and transit,
enhanced quality of life, etc.
✦Th e need to balance effi cient and cost-eff ective use of school facilities with
the strong desire of parents and students to retain neighborhood schools
is increasingly important in light of state education funding and budget
constraints, facilities that are approaching capacity, and continued residential
growth.
✦It will be necessary to continue monitoring growth against the City’s ability
to provide facilities and services without burdening current taxpayers. New
development should continue to “pay its own way” to the greatest extent
feasible, with recognition that there may be community benefi ts (e.g., job
creation or aff ordable housing) that off set community costs that also need to
be considered.
INVENTORY
City Government. South Burlington’s offi cials and staff work largely from the City
Hall building at 575 Dorset Street. Th e condition of the City offi ce building at 575
Dorset Street and the adequacy of its facilities to meet the City’s needs has been an
identifi ed issue for a number of years, but has recently undergone signifi cant upgrades
which are expected to serve as adequate for several more years.
Public Works. Th e Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining
City streets (including signs, lighting, and traffi c lights), parks and recreation paths,
stormwater systems, two sewer treatment plants and associated collection systems,
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-25
water distribution systems, and gravity sewer lines. Th e department also maintains
City and school district vehicles. South Burlington has a joint municipal/school
district Public Works facility, constructed in 2001 at 104 Landfi ll Road. Th e facility
represents a cooperative relationship between these two public entities that has allowed
for increased effi ciency and economy of scale.
Police. Th e city established its Police Department in 1953 with the hiring of a single
offi cer. Th e department has grown with the city and now includes 43 sworn offi cers
in addition to civilian staff . In 2010, the Police Department relocated to the newly
constructed police facility at 19 Gregory Drive, a space that was designed to serve well
in to the future.
Th e Police Department provides primary law enforcement services throughout the
city, with the exception of the Burlington International Airport, which is served by the
Burlington Police Department. Th e Police Department maintains excellent working
relationships with municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement organizations.
Mutual aid and collaboration are regular occurrences between agencies.
In addition to traditional policing services, the department operates a number of
specialize programs and engages in multiple community outreach programs. Th ese
include a Youth Services Unit, Traffi c Safety Unit, Detective Bureau, D.A.R.E., summer
youth camps, K9 Unit, Communications Center, and regular community outreach.
Th e Police Department also serves as the home of the South Burlington Community
Justice Center (CJC). Th e CJC hosts reparative panels, provides mediation services,
and assists with off ender re-entry through Circles of Support and Accountability.
Th e Police Department is committed to expanding programs that support the
community and is the only police department in the region off ering Project Good
Morning. Project Good Morning is a program where elders are in daily communication
with the dispatch center. If contact is not made by telephone a police offi cer check on
the well-being of the participant. Offi cers regularly participate in community events,
neighborhood block parties, and safety presentations. Th e Police Department values
community partnerships and collaboration that best serves the citizens.
Fire and Rescue. Th e South Burlington Fire Department (SBFD) provides primary
fi re, medical and specialized rescue response throughout the City. It also serves the
civilian buildings at the Burlington International Airport (runways and military
buildings have the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department for primary
response). In addition, the department supports all the surrounding communities and
the Air National Guard Fire Department, as part of written mutual aid agreements. In
turn, these same organizations support SBFD in large emergency incidents.
Th e Fire and Emergency Services Department maintains full-time personnel. Two fi re
engines and one ambulance are staff ed 24 hours per day. Personnel are called out to
staff additional emergency vehicles when greater response is needed.
Th e City has two fi re stations:
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
✦Station #1 is located in the City Hall complex on Dorset Street. Th is facility
was refurbished and expanded in 2005 to better house the new ambulance
service. Today, with the addition of personnel through the SAFER Grant in
2008, Station #1 meets current space needs. Additional personnel or vehicles
will require additional space to be added in the future.
✦Station #2 is located on Holmes Road, off Shelburne Road. Th is station
reduces response times to the southwestern end of the City, an area with a
signifi cant volume of emergency incidents. Station #2 does not meet current
space needs. Th e second fl oor of the station was built partially fi nished and
needs to be completed. Upon completion, Station #2 will meet current and
future needs of the station’s coverage district.
Commercial and residential fi re insurance rates are aff ected by the Insurance Services
Offi ce (ISO) rating system. ISO guidelines and that of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) are used when planning vehicle and equipment purchases. Building
inspections, new construction, electrical inspection, and fi re code enforcement is
provided by the South Burlington Fire Marshall’s Offi ce and the State of Vermont
Division of Fire Safety. For the purposes of development review, the department uses
the Vermont fi re safety standards. Maintaining high standards throughout the City has
contributed signifi cantly to lowering losses of life and property due to fi re. Currently,
the SBFD annually inspects all businesses that apply for a liquor license and provides
assistance to residents for safety equipment and information.
Medical Facilities. Hospital health care is provided by two major regional hospital
units of University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC). Th e main hospital is
located on the UVM campus in Burlington. Th e other unit, the former Fanny Allen
Hospital, is located in Colchester.
In South Burlington, several private doctors offi ces complement a recently-developed
UVMMC annex on Tilley Drive. Th is complex of buildings provides specialized out-
patient care.
Emergency Preparedness and Response. Th e City of South Burlington actively
embraces a four-phase strategy of emergency preparedness and response: mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mitigation. Mitigation forms the link between emergency management, infrastructure
and land use planning. Th e City adopted its fi rst All-Hazards Mitigation Plan (as
an annex to the Chittenden County All-Hazards Mitigation Plan) in 2005 and has
worked with the CCRPC to maintain current plans since. Th at plan identifi es a wide
range of potential risks to the City and assigns a likelihood and a scale of damage to
each. Using this matrix, the plan presents a series of actions that can be taken by the
City, its residents, and its businesses to lessen the likelihood and impacts of future
incidents.
Th e plan includes a hazard risk assessment that measures both the likelihood and
potential severity of diff erent types of large-scale emergencies in the City. Th e analysis
revealed severe winter storms, gas and/or electric service loss, and fl ooding as among
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-27
the large-scale hazards that warrant the greatest attention. A series of goals and actions
to help reduce the impacts of these and other types of emergencies are included in the
Mitigation Plan and, where appropriate, are incorporated into this Comprehensive
Plan and other City policies, programs, and regulations.
✦Flood resiliency. As used in this document, and per the 2013 guidance
document for Disaster Recover and Long-Term Resilience Planning
in Vermont, fl ood resilience references measures taken to reduce the
vulnerability of communities to damage from fl ooding and to support
recovery after an extreme event. Due to its geography and elevation, South
Burlington doesn’t face the same level of risk as many of the more vulnerable
communities in Vermont. Still, it has and shall continue to plan for fl ood
resiliency in earnest. Elements of mitigation employed in the City include
general land use planning and zoning; a restriction on development within
primary conservation areas, including river and stream corridor buff ers
and setbacks and mapped fl ood plains; restricted development along Lake
Champlain; extensive Low Impact Development stormwater standards and
the state’s fi rst Stormwater Utility which continually assesses and upgrades
city stormwater infrastructure; a watershed approach to surface water and
stormwater management; robust landscaping requirements and cyclical
assessments of tree canopy; smart growth approaches including clustered
housing and channeled development in a designated New Town Center;
coordination with neighboring communities; and active participation in the
regional All Hazards Mitigation Plan with timely detailed local updates. All
of these elements may be found throughout this Comprehensive Plan, with
specifi c references, objectives and strategies related to surface and stormwater
planning in the ‘Blue Infrastructure’ chapter.
Preparedness. Emergency preparedness and response activities in South Burlington
are coordinated through the Fire Department and Police Department. In addition to
ongoing training within these departments, the City regularly works with the School
District, senior housing groups, and local organizations such as the Red Cross to
enhance public preparedness. South Burlington has also been an active participant
in the Chittenden County Local Emergency Planning Committee, an organization
responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness at the regional level.
Th e City maintains an up-to-date Emergency Operations Plan that spells out strategies
for alerting the public of emergencies and identifying the scope of responsibility
for various departments. Th is plan also identifi es potential shelter locations, which
include schools, churches, and other large community buildings. In most cases, these
shelters have been approved by the American Red Cross, allowing them to set up
and manage the shelter in the event of an emergency. Th e City also maintains an
Emergency Operations Center at the Public Works facility.
In addition, the South Burlington Fire and Rescue Department and Public Works
Department are regular participants in the local development review process,
providing input to the Development Review Board regarding the location and access
of buildings, roadways, and other safety-related issues.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Response. Emergency response in South Burlington is primarily the responsibility of
the City Police Department and Fire and Rescue Department, with support from the
Public Works Department, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and mutual aid
response partners. Th e roles of the City’s departments are described in their individual
sections within this chapter. Emergency dispatch is managed through the Police
Department, and systems are redundant to Burlington in case of need.
Recovery. Recoveries from large-scale incidents in the City have generally been related
to fl ooding. South Burlington has worked diligently, through its Stormwater Division,
to address the causes of wide-scale fl ooding incidents.
Library. Th e City’s community library is located in the northern wing of the South
Burlington High School on Dorset Street. It is a combined public and high school
library.
A cornerstone of the community, the library off ers programs for children of all ages,
adult reading groups, live performances, educational programs, Wi-Fi, digital books
and magazines, subscription databases, access to computers and printers, technological
assistance, and free passes to cultural institutions. Library usage continues to increase
as we stay abreast of emerging technology, providing quality information resources
in a variety of formats. Books remain in high demand and in FY 2014 the Library
circulated over 134,000 items.
Th e Library is open six days a week, 58 hours per week, and has 5.8 full-time
equivalent employees. Th ere are over 70,000 items in the collection. Th e SBCL is a
hub for information, entertainment and social connection - in FY 2014, over 85,000
people visited the library. Th e Library is evolving and growing with the community,
contributing to the future of South Burlington as a vital part of the proposed City
Center.
Th e City is planning resources to support the building of a new Library. While the
Library focus will remain on sharing books to provide information and inspiration,
the new Library will also be a technology gateway, supporting organized on-line
information sources for workforce development and other web-based educational
opportunities. Th e future space will include room for meetings, performances, quiet
reading space and collaborative learning. An early childhood “Literacy and Play” space
is under consideration to support families with children under fi ve, while teens and
new adults will be the focus of a Digital Exploration space. A community auditorium
is planned to promote author visits and local performances. All told, the Library will
be a cornerstone of the South Burlington community.
Childcare. Th e majority of South Burlington’s parents are working outside the home.
According to the 2011 Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation
(SIPP), 88 % of children of mothers who worked required day care or after-school
care, with 25% of those utilizing organized child care centers. Parents commuting to
jobs in South Burlington may prefer to enroll their children in childcare programs
close to their workplace. Th e result of these factors has been an increasing demand for
childcare and after-school programs to meet the needs of working parents and their
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-29
children. Within Chittenden County, it is most diffi cult to fi nd care for children from
infancy to age three.
Child Care Resource is a nonprofi t human service organization located in Chittenden
County. It helps families and providers make child care connections, strengthen early
learning opportunities by working with early care and education providers, and create
child care solutions for communities. Each day, about 6,500 Chittenden County
children attend a child care or after-school program and:
✦30 % live in poverty
✦Some have experienced abuse, neglect or homelessness
✦Some are new Americans
✦Some have developmental, physical, emotional or behavioral challenges
Child Care Resource recently completed a study for the South Burlington School
District assessing early childhood education, of which childcare is a component. Th e
study and its working group revealed a trend of families with young children seeming
to leave South Burlington before the children reach school age. It also identifi ed
potential opportunities to support young children and their families so that children
enter kindergarten eager to learn and ready to participate.
Child Care Resources provided the City with the following statistics about the supply
of child care in South Burlington, as of 2011:
✦Licensed Child Care Centers. Th ere are three child care centers providing
full-day care for children ages birth to fi ve. Among those, there are 158 slots
and a vacancy rate of one percent All three have been recognized for quality.
Two participate in Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS)
and of those, one has attained 3 STARS and one has attained 5 STARS
(the highest level of STARS). Two of the programs provide publicly funded
prekindergarten in partnership with the South Burlington School District
and one is working toward this goal.
✦Registered Family Child Care Homes. Th ere are eight registered family
child care homes that also provide full-day care for children ages birth to
fi ve. Some provide care for school age children up to age 12 as well. Among
those there are 64 slots and a current vacancy rate of fi ve percent. Two of
these programs have been recognized for quality, one at the 3 STAR level
and one at the 5 STAR level. Two of the programs provide publicly funded
prekindergarten in partnership with the South Burlington School District
and Child Care Resource.
✦Licensed Family Child Care Homes. Th ere is one licensed family child
care home that provides full-day care for children ages birth to fi ve and part-
day care for school age children. Th is program has 12 slots and a current
vacancy rate of zero percent. It has 4 STARS and provides publicly funded
prekindergarten in partnership with the South Burlington School District
and Child Care Resource.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
✦Licensed Preschool Programs. Th ere are fi ve licensed preschool programs
that provide part-day and full-day options for children ages three-fi ve. Among
those, there are 104 slots and a current vacancy rate of fi ve percent. Four
of the fi ve programs hold 5 STARS. All but one of the programs provides
publicly funded prekindergarten in partnership with the South Burlington
School District.
✦Licensed After-School Programs. Th ere are fi ve licensed after-school
programs providing part-day care for children ages 5-12. Among those, there
are 225 slots and a vacancy rate of less than one percent. One of the programs
has received quality recognition of 3 STARS.
Th e provision of safe, local, and accessible childcare and pre-school is a vital element
in attracting families to South Burlington. As such, the City endeavors to ensure that
high-quality and aff ordable childcare is available within its borders. Th e policy of the
City shall be to undertake actions to assist in this provision.
Lands, Parks, Natural Areas within the City. Th e following is an inventory of parks,
open space lands, and associated facilities within the community. Th ey are organized
below by a hierarchy of function within the community as described within each.
Th ey are further organized by their principal existing and planned uses as described in
the pull out box within this section.
Principal Existing & Planned Uses:
✦Natural Areas. Natural areas have generally been historically undeveloped,
though most of the land in the region was logged and farmed for some portion
of its history. Many contain unusual communities of plants and animals,
rare species, and exceptional geological features, while others serve as part of
wildlife corridors, refuges, or habitat areas. Each of these are publicly owned,
University-owned, or privately conserved. Future needs for natural areas are
identifi ed within the Ecological Resources section of this Plan.
✦Active Recreation. Active recreation areas generally provide one or more
facilities geared towards physical activity, such as ballfi elds, basketball and
tennis courts, playgrounds, rinks, beaches, and tracks. Future needs for active
recreation facilities are identifi ed within the Recreation section of this Plan.
✦Passive Recreation. Passive recreation areas such as tracts of lands with
walking and hiking trails, undesignated fi elds, picnic sites, and viewing areas.
Th ey may be associated with natural areas, active recreation, or may be their
own sites. Future needs for active recreation facilities are identifi ed within the
Recreation and Ecological Resources section of this Plan.
✦Agriculture. Agricultural areas include uses such as larger-scale farming,
community-supported agriculture, and community gardens. Th ey may be
associated with natural areas, active or passive recreation, or may be their
own sites.
✦Other. Additional lands listed within this section of the plan are specifi c
to individual owners or sites such as educational facility, research, private
recreation, community center.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-31
City Parks, Lands & Facilities. City parks and natural areas are those owned by the
City and designed as gathering points for community events and activities and are
typically intended for regular enjoyment by residents throughout the City and region.
Th e following are all owned by the City.
✦Veterans Memorial Park (uses: active recreation). A 70-acre city park
providing both passive and active recreational activities, located immediately
south of I-89 and east of Dorset Street. Th e 70-acre City Park currently has
two soccer fi elds, one regulation and two youth baseball fi elds, open fi eld
spaces, two indoor ice arenas (privately operated), a playground, a community
bandshell, a Veterans’ memorial, picnic pavilion with tables, rest rooms, and
a solar array.
✦Red Rocks Park (uses: passive recreation, natural area, limited active
recreation). 100 acres on Shelburne Bay; it is mostly wooded kept in natural
condition with walking paths and hiking trails. It includes 700 feet of public
beach, picnic areas, and parking areas. A management plan for the park’s
future use and maintenance was recently completed.
✦Overlook Park (uses: passive recreation). 1.7 acres located on the west side
of Spear Street, north of Deerfi eld Drive. It contains viewing areas and picnic
tables and has parking.
✦Community Dog Park (use: active recreation). Established in 2010, the
Community Dog Park is located at the east end of Kirby Road. It includes
a parking area and fenced areas for exercising large and small dogs on land
leased from the City of Burlington.
✦Wheeler Nature Park (uses: natural area, passive recreation, limited
agriculture). Th is 100+ acre parcel is located at the corner of Swift and Dorset
Streets and lies adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park. It is a designated natural
area intended to be conserved in perpetuity by a third party permanent
conservation easement. Th e park includes the Wheeler Homestead, a historic
building with offi ce and other space with affi liated community and display
gardens and a city tree nursery. A management plan for the park’s future use
and maintenance was recently completed.
✦Oak Creek Properties (current use: passive recreation, natural area;
planned uses: natural area, to be determined). Th is land includes three
(3) separate parcels owned by the City. Th e southerly parcels are wooded
natural areas designated as permanent open space; the northerly parcel is half
wooded and half open fi elds and is not formally designated by the City. It has
at times been considered as a school location. Proposed Action: development
of management plan
✦Scott Property (current use: natural area, planned use: To be determined
based on management plan). Acquired by the City in the mid-2000s, this
40-acre open space property serves as part of a wildlife corridor that extends
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
from Shelburne Pond towards the Wheeler Nature Park. A small pond is
located on the parcel. Th e property was purchased with the City’s Open Space
funds. A management plan has not yet been developed. Proposed Action:
development of a management plan
✦Underwood Property (current uses: agriculture; planned use: to be
determined). Acquired by the City in 2013, this 60-acre property includes
open fi elds, woodlands, wetlands, and spectacular views of Lake Champlain
and the Adirondacks. Th e property was purchased with the City’s Open Space
funds. Th e City appointed a committee to develop a preferred vision for the
plan, for which a report and related graphics were released in the spring of
2015. A management plan was identifi ed as the next step, but has not yet
been developed. Proposed Action: Development of master plan.
✦South Burlington High School-Middle School (current use: educational
facility, active recreation). Th is 80-acre parcel includes school buildings,
the community library, several fi elds designed for baseball/softball, football/
soccer/lacrosse, etc., a running track, tennis courts, and additional facilities.
When not in use by the school district or otherwise leased out, they are
available for public use.
✦Municipal Building Sites: See specifi c sections on City government, public
works, police, and fi re/rescue
✦City wide Parks, Lands & Facilities not owned by the City or schools.
Th ese lands and parks serve an important City-wide role in the community.
Some of these lands are designated for conservation and public use, while
others are used or planned for agricultural and research facilities and may not
be regularly open to the public. Still others are undesignated by the University.
✦University of Vermont Lands: Th e following lands, and others, are
owned and operated by the University of Vermont and are detailed in the
University’s Campus Master Plan in greater detail.
✦East Woods (uses: natural area, passive recreation, research,
education) is a 40-acre parcel with an old-age stand of hardwoods
with groves of huge hemlock and red pine. A great variety of shrubs,
including viburnums and dogwoods, grow here along with a rich
herbaceous fl ora. Th is type of forest is considered to be rare and is of
local, regional and state importance. In April 1971, the University
Board of Trustees adopted a resolution designating East Woods a
Natural Area.
✦Centennial Woods (uses: natural area, passive recreation,
research, education). Centennial Woods is a 40-acre forest site of
old-age softwoods dominated by white pine, red pine and hemlock.
Hardwoods characterized by red maple make up the understory.
Forests such as this are not uncommon. It is considered to be of local,
regional and state importance. It was designated by the University
Board of Trustees in April 1971 as a Natural Area.
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✦Blasberg Horticultural Research Center Site (current uses:
research, education, agriculture; planned uses academic/
residential). Th is 97-acre site is owned and operated by the
University as a agricultural and horticultural research and education
center. Th is area contains extensive orchards, ornamental trees and
shrubs and natural woodland areas, meadows and ponds. Th e farm
off ers a diverse wildlife habitat and is a stopover for migratory birds.
A prehistoric Native American village and artifact site are also located
on this land.
✦Miller Research Farm Complex (current uses: education,
agriculture; planned uses: academic, undesignated). Th is 68-acre
parcel contains the main farm buildings and is used for education,
research and outreach and includes a dairy herd, additional animals,
solar research, and more.
✦BioResearch Complex (current uses: research, education,
agriculture; planned uses academic). Th is 51-acre parcel includes
land leased to USDA Forest Service, solar power generation facilities,
and agricultural cropland, among others.
✦Edlund 1969 Tract (current uses: forested; planned uses:
unassigned). Th is site is an example of Pleistocene “fossil” sand
dunes, associated with the Champlain Sea about 10,000 to 12,000
years ago. Th is sand dune fi eld is located predominantly on UVM
land on the west side of Spear Street approximately midway between
I-189 and Swift Street. Th e occurrence of this phenomenon is
rather rare and the report of the VNRC states that this site is in
need of physical management to maintain its unique state. Th is
sand dune fi eld exists in a sensitive and fragile form within an urban
environment. Th ese dunes are considered to be signifi cant on both
the local and state levels.
✦Main Campus (use: academic, residential) Portions of the main
campus, including athletic fi elds, parking, tracks, etc., are located
with the City of South Burlington along Spear Street.
✦Additional sites – Deslauriers Tracts, Martin Tract, Whittlesey
Tract, VonTurkovich Tract, Wheelock Tracts, Centennial:
(current uses: natural areas, research, agriculture; planned uses:
various). Th ese tracts all form part of the University of Vermont’s
land bank and have various academic uses.
✦Vermont National Golf Course (uses: private recreation, public
recreation use in winter). A private golf course, City residents are
permitted to make use of the Vermont National Golf Course fairways for
snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during winter months when there
is snow on the ground.
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Community Parks, Lands & Facilities. Community parks, facilities, and lands are
those that are designed for organized activities and sports, or serve as focal points
for activity in various parts of the City. While they are generally open to residents
and visitors from across the City and region, their principal use is from nearby
neighborhoods.
✦Farrell Park (use: active recreation). A 22.89 acre park, located on Swift
Street; developed facilities include a fenced youth baseball fi eld (little league
size) a regulation size fi eld that can be used for baseball, softball and soccer,
and a playground and picnic tables. Th e Recreation Path goes through this
Park. Parking is available.
✦Jaycee Park (uses: active recreation, community center). A 6.9 acre facility
on Patchen Road; it has one lighted youth baseball/adult softball fi eld, small
picnic area with shelter, basketball courts, playground, parking, an adjacent
building with heat and rest rooms, and an open fi eld area for fi eld sports. Th e
O’Brien Center is available for community meetings and special events.
✦Dumont Park (uses: natural area, passive recreation). Th is relatively small,
City-owned parcel sits between Iby Street and San Remo Drive. It is located
south of Tributary 3 to the Potash Brook and areas that have been identifi ed
for future recreation associated with City Center. A community planning
eff ort is underway and a concept design has been approved. Proposed Action:
completion of park design and construction of park amenities.
✦Mayfair Park / Kennedy Drive Natural Area (uses: natural area, passive
recreation). Th is area encompasses approximately 50 acres of land on the
northwest side of Kennedy Drive. Potash Brook runs through this land and
there are many natural springs forming a wetland. Forest cover contains white
pine and some mixture of hemlock, elm and red maple trees. Th is natural
area was accumulated over the course of several years, having been initially
identifi ed as a natural area in the “South Burlington Natural Resource
Inventory”, September 1967.
✦South Burlington High School Natural Area (uses: natural area, passive
recreation). Located on the north side of Kennedy Drive, east of the
High School playing fi elds, this natural area serves as an important part
of the Potash Brook tributary system with substantial wetland areas, large
stormwater treatment areas, and a walking trail linking the school to nearby
neighborhoods. Th e property is owned and maintained by the School District.
✦Goodrich Property (current uses: natural area, passive recreation; planned
uses: wetland restoration). Acquired as a permanent public easement
by the City of South Burlington in 2010, this 22-acre open space site lies
immediately north of the Muddy Brook Natural Area. It includes wetland
areas, riparian banks, and various open and forested areas.
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✦Orchard School (uses: educational facility, active recreation). Owned
and operated by the School District, this 13.5 acre facility includes school
buildings, a basketball court, a ball fi eld, gardens, and playground equipment.
✦Central School (uses: educational facility, active recreation). Owned
and operated by the School District, this 12.1 acre site includes the school
building, playground equipment, a ball fi eld, and multiple-use fi eld area.
✦Chamberlin School (uses: educational facility, active recreation). Owned
and operated by the School District, this 10 acre property includes the school
building, a basketball court, playground equipment, ball fi eld, and multiple-
use fi eld area.
Community Parks, Lands & Facilities Not Owned by the City or School District.
Th ese lands and parks are owned by separate entities from the City and/or school
district, but are open to the public for enjoyment. Th ey typically serve a more
localized population than City-wide facilities due to their size, accessibility, location,
or intended intensity of use.
✦Muddy Brook Natural Area (uses: natural area, wetland mitigation,
passive recreation). Owned and operated by Winooski Valley Parks District,
this natural area was purchased and restored for its wetland features by the
Burlington International Airport. Situated along the west bank of the Muddy
Brook, it includes a clayplain forest area and walking trails for public use.
✦Winooski Valley Parks District Lime Kiln Park (uses: passive recreation,
natural area). Owned and operated by Winooski Valley Parks District.
Situated on the west side of Lime Kiln Road immediately south of the
Winooski River, this small public natural area and walking trail is perched
high above the Winooski River with dedicated parking and an overlook onto
the river.
✦Winooski Valley Parks District Muddy Brook Outlet (uses: passive
recreation, natural area). Th is public park is located at the confl uence of the
Muddy Brook and Winooski River. It includes a carry-in boat launch and a
wide range of shrubs and forested areas.
Neighborhood Parks, Lands & Facilities. Neighborhood parks are publicly-owned,
generally lightly developed or undeveloped recreational facilities that are intended to
be focal points of local neighborhoods. Most users walk to these parks, though limited
parking is provided in some cases.
✦Szymanski Park (uses: active recreation, passive recreation). Twenty
(20) acres in the south end of the City, reached by way of Andrews Avenue
or Cranwell Drive. Park includes two lighted tennis courts, picnic tables,
basketball court, tot lot, parking and fi tness trail. Th e Recreation Path goes
through this park.
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✦Garvey Property (uses: passive recreation, natural area). Th e Garvey
property sits on Williston Road between Victory Drive and Mills Avenue. It
is a small, linear, City-owned parcel connecting Williston Road and two parts
of a long-established residential neighborhood.
✦DeGraff e Property (uses: passive recreation, natural area). Located at the
end of Duval Street and southeast of Queensbury Road, this small City-
owned property is surrounded on all sides by residential neighborhoods. Its
topography includes steep banks that fuel tributaries to Centennial Brook.
✦Quail Run (uses: natural area). Located at the end of Quail Run, this parcel
includes one principal walking path connecting to private property to the east
and a series of informal trails in the vicinity of the Bartlett Brook. It includes
multiple steep banks.
Small lot sites. Neighborhood pocket properties, in most cases publicly-owned,
undeveloped recreational facilities that are either intended to be accessible to local
neighborhoods or serve a current or future neighborhood function. No parking is
typically available.
✦Baycrest Park (current use: passive recreation; future uses: possible
active recreation). Small neighborhood play area (1.69 acres) located at the
intersection of Baycrest Drive and Bay Court. It is presently maintained as an
open fi eld. Future use would be determined by development of a park plan.
✦Queen City Park lot (current use: unassigned; future use: unassigned).
Th is house-lot parcel is presently undesignated by the City.
✦Allen Road Park (current uses: passive recreation; planned additional
recreational use to be determined). Small neighborhood open space on
Allen Road, west of Baycrest Drive. It is presently maintained as an open
fi eld. Future use would be determined by development of a park plan.
✦Butler Farms lots. (Uses: passive recreation, stormwater management).
A series of small parcels located within the neighborhood. Historically open
lots, they have recently been given a role in stormwater management for the
neighborhood.
✦Queen City Park (uses: passive recreation, active recreation). Owned and
maintained by the Fire District, this 1.4-acre neighborhood play area serves
the local neighborhood.
Private Parks, Conservation Lands, and Sports Complexes. A series of private parks,
conserved lands, and sports complexes are owned and operated throughout the City.
Several homeowner associations maintain facilities for their residents; while a handful
of companies and clubs operate facilities for the public or for members. Th ese include
tennis courts, swimming pools, gyms, tot lots, community buildings, conserved
farmland, and golf facilities. Facilities with specifi c City involvement include:
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✦Vermont National Golf Course (uses: private recreation). 18-hole Jack
Nicklaus Signature golf course, 2 tennis courts, a driving range, a 25-meter
junior Olympic pool, and a skating rink. See note above regarding winter
access for the public.
✦Rice High School (uses: education, private recreation). 30 acres, including
buildings: includes a baseball fi eld, football fi eld, fi eld hockey area, and
running track.
✦Bread & Butter Farm (use: agriculture). Totaling approximately 140 acres
in South Burlington (~80) and Shelburne (~60), this farmland was conserved
in 2010 by the Vermont Land Trust, City of South Burlington, and Town
of Shelburne. Th e property was sold to the Bread and Butter Farm by the
Vermont Land Trust for operation within an agricultural easement. It is
operated as private land. Th e conservation agreement contains provisions for
a public, unpaved recreation path easement connecting Cheesefactory Road
to the Scott Property, in a location to be determined.
Recreation Resources. See 2.5C, Recreation Resources, for further discussion of
recreational facilities and programming.
Primary and Secondary Schools. High-quality education for all children in the
community is one of the most signifi cant and basic services that the City of South
Burlington must provide. Th e school system is actively engaged in planning for its
future and maintains a current Strategic Plan. Th e tradition of close cooperation
and communication between the School Board and the various municipal boards
and commissions has created the community we have today and is encouraged to be
maintained. Th is is important in light of the shared interest of all City residents in
the quality of the education system and in the increasing use of school facilities by
community members.
Th e importance of public education is represented, in part, by the amount of funds
allocated to the school system. Public education accounts for approximately 76% of
property taxes collected in the City.
Th e South Burlington School District currently operates fi ve schools that serve
approximately 2,500 students in grades K-12, as described below:
✦Rick Marcotte Central School serves students in grades K-5 from a 12.1-acre
site at 10 Market Street. Th e 59,000-square foot school had an enrollment of
400 students in 2015. Th e District’s 2008 Facility Master Plan determined
the school had a program capacity of 420 students. Th e prior 1998 study had
measured capacity at 489 using a diff erent methodology. Each elementary
school is forecasted to see an enrollment decrease by 2024, according to the
2014-15 Demographics Study completed for the School District.
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✦Chamberlin School serves students in grades K-5 from a 10-acre site at
262 White Street. Th e 76,000-square foot school had an enrollment of 246
students. Th e District’s 2008 Facility Master Plan determined the school had
a program capacity of 300 students. Th e prior 1998 study had measured
capacity at 425 using a diff erent methodology. Each elementary school is
forecasted to see an enrollment decrease by 2024.
✦Orchard School serves students in grades K-5 from a 13.5-acre site at 2
Baldwin Avenue. Th e 57,000-square foot school had an enrollment of 376
students in 2015. Th e District’s 2008 Facility Master Plan determined the
school had a program capacity of 360 students. Th e prior 1998 study had
measured capacity at 510 using a diff erent methodology. Each elementary
school is forecasted to see an enrollment decrease by 2024.
✦Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 from an 80-
acre site shared with the high school at 550 Dorset Street. Th e 111,000-square
foot school had an enrollment of 524 students in 2015. Th e District’s 2008
Facility Master Plan determined the school had a program capacity of 625
students. Th e prior 1998 study had measured capacity at 918 using a diff erent
methodology. Th e 2014-15 Demographics Study forecasts that enrollment is
expected to see a decrease by 2024.
✦South Burlington High School serves students in grades 9-12 from
an 80-acre site shared with the middle school at 550 Dorset Street. Th e
158,000-square foot school had an enrollment of 908 students in 2015. Th e
District’s 2008 Facility Master Plan determined the school had a program
capacity of 750 students. Th e prior 1998 study had measured capacity at
1,200 using a diff erent methodology. Th e 2014-15 Demographic Study
forecasts that enrollment is expected to drop slightly to 857 students by 2024.
According to the School District’s 2008 Educational Vision and Facility Master Plan,
Program Capacity counts the classrooms (or teaching stations at the High School)
currently in use for regular instruction, multiplied by the number of District or school
standard number of students per classroom. It gives consideration to the educational
programs in each building, the space implications of the Educational Vision and
reasonable utilization factors at the High School. Th e program capacity numbers
listed above for each school are signifi cantly lower than the fi gures concluded in the
1998 School Capacity Study, which used diff erent techniques and did not account for
high school utilization.
For purposes of planning for future facilities, the district considers enrollment at 90 %
of program capacity to be an “action point” at which an additional facility is warranted
for consideration.
University of Vermont. Th e University of Vermont owns 571 acres of land in South
Burlington, which is part of its South Campus area. Th e South Campus is currently
utilized primarily for instruction and research focused on bioresearch, agricultural,
horticultural and natural areas management.
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ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Police. Th e need for and challenge of providing adequate police protection, a
fundamental municipal service, increases as the population grows and businesses
expand or locate in the City. Th e increasing pressures on the City caused by population
growth, traffi c, commercial and residential development all pose signifi cant concerns
for local planners, as well as police offi cials.
It is important that political leaders and the public not develop unrealistic expectations
for community policing in terms of crime deterrence or speed of implementation.
Community policing calls for long-term commitment; it is not a quick fi x. Achieving
ongoing partnerships with the community and eradicating the underlying causes
of crime will take planning, fl exibility, time and patience. Political and community
leaders must be regularly informed of the progress of community policing eff orts
to keep them interested and involved. Th e police organization must stress that the
success of community policing depends on sustained joint eff orts of the police,
local government, public and private agencies, and members of community. Th is
cooperation is indispensable to deterring crime and preserving the quality of life
within neighborhoods.
Fire and Rescue. While there is no such thing as absolute protection, the degree of
fi re risk should be balanced at an acceptable level as the City grows. Th e best available
source for fi re protection standards is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Th e City’s fi re protection plan consists of three components:
✦Using NFPA standards for staffi ng, training, and operating guidelines;
✦Using ISO survey recommendations as a guideline for budgeting future
operating and capital costs for fi re protection, and
✦Including fi re protection as a criterion in the review of new development (i.e.
roads and access, building locations and materials, hydrant spacing, etc.).
Land Development and Emergency Response. It will be important for the
community to plan for how emergency response will be able to eff ectively serve future
needs, understanding that development patterns impact response strategies as well as
facility and equipment needs:
✦New development that is far away from existing stations places greater
demands on time and equipment than development that is nearby.
✦Need to be prepared for moderate annual increase in calls due to population
aging and increased population / businesses.
✦As the more mixed use, higher-density development takes place, equipment,
policies and training will need to be adjusted.
Library. In 2005, a facility study concluded that the existing library was approaching
capacity and would require additional space to continue to function in the community’s
best interests. Th e study also stated that the high school benefi ts more than the
community in the combined library model. While the community benefi ts from the
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
current model by receiving the school custodial, maintenance and computer services,
the study highlighted the signifi cant problems in the combined model which include:
✦Lack of quiet reading/study areas;
✦Lack of space for programs;
✦Lack of parking;
✦Excessive noise and a predominance of student use during school hours; and
✦School regulations that impact public use of the computers, meeting space
and library use.
✦Phase II of the facility study, completed in 2006, defi ned future space needs if
the library continues to serve both the public and the high school, as well as to
determine the future space needs if the public library were to vacate its current
home and construct a new public library. Extensive data was collected from
Th e Wisconsin Public Library Standards (a nationally recognized standard),
six community/school focus groups, a library consultant, and interviews with
key stakeholders, and a survey mailed to random community members. Th e
City is currently considering if a separate library should be constructed in the
City Center area to serve the community.
Primary and Secondary Schools. While the City has not been immune to regional
demographic changes like an aging population and smaller families, the quality and
reputation of the South Burlington schools continues to attract families to the City.
A 1999 survey of families with students new to South Burlington indicated that more
than 80 % moved here because of the City’s reputation for a quality school system.
Maintaining this reputation will require the city and district to continuously evaluate
its educational goals and related facility needs to ensure the desired educational
outcomes are achieved within the available funding sources.
Th ere are a number of challenges facing the schools which include shifting student
and population demographics, airport and City Center development, continued
Southeast Quadrant development, as well as aging and non-compliant facilities. Th e
Steering Committee (City and District jointly) convened the Master Planning and
Visioning Task Force to analyze, evaluate, and recommend options for addressing the
challenges of 21st century students, which was submitted in August 2015. Th is report
and recommendation are currently under review by the Steering Committee.
Additionally, the ability of families with children to move to the City is directly
linked to the availability of aff ordable housing and employment opportunities. Th ese
interrelated factors need to be monitored on an ongoing basis to anticipate changes
in enrollment that would trigger a need for expanded or new educational facilities or
services.
Th ough total enrollment in South Burlington has been reasonably steady during the
past decade, the next decade is forecasted to be less steady with the possibility of both
a fl uctuating and declining enrollment. In 2014, a Demographic Study forecasted
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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a 4% decline in student enrollment between 2014-15 and 2024-25. For planning
purposes, this change in demographics will require the district to consider how to
increase facility fl exibility to maintain appropriate student-teacher ratios and desired
educational curricular and co-curricular programming. Potential facility changes
could occur at the elementary through high school levels and range from renovation
to new construction.
It is possible that one or more elementary schools may become available for
repurposing. Th ese properties are potentially located for re-use to meet City needs
such as community centers, potential aff ordable housing development, additional
recreation space, or even commercial or private use.
Th e collective growth and development patterns, most notably continued development
in the Southeast Quadrant, changes to the airport neighborhood, and the potential for
the development of City Center, are all important considerations as the School District
plans for the future of the City schools. Th e City and District have convened various
committees such as the Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee and
Master Planning and Visioning Task Force to assist the City and District in their
planning eff orts. Th e committee reports considered growing pressures on School
and City facilities and infrastructure driven in large part by airport encroachment on
residential areas, the desire to develop a vibrant City Center, changing demographics,
changing/increasing traffi c patterns, and the desire to provide a community-friendly
environment.
Information regarding the work of these committees may found on the South
Burlington website.
In 1998, a School Capacity Study calculated the mathematical maximum capacity of
the City’s public school facilities is estimated to be 4,165 pupils (1,675 in grades
K-5 and 2,490 in grades 6-12). Th is absolute capacity assumed 25 students per
classroom evenly distributed across all grades and all schools. Th e maximum capacity
was adjusted by an eff ective factor of 85 % to refl ect the reality of age, location and
scheduling of the student population resulting in a program capacity of 3,541 students
(K-12). A decade later, in 2008, the Educational Visioning and Facility Master Planning
report determined that the district’s K-12 program capacity was only 2,455 students
(a fi gure close to recent enrollments). Th e 2008 report fi ndings provided for and were
supported by the work of the Master Planning and Visioning Task Force Report,
which confi rmed the maximum capacity of the school facilities as 2,455 students.
To ensure equal treatment of developers and to minimize the impact of new housing
on school facilities, standards are used to estimate the number of school children
generated by new projects. Th is number is based on the unit confi guration (single- or
multi-family), unit costs, whether it is renter or owner occupied, and size (number
of bedrooms, square footage). Th e values assigned to these factors are confi rmed and
adjusted by periodic School District reviews.
South Burlington schools are consistently ranked as some of the best in the state.
In order to maintain the quality of the schools, the School District faces several
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
challenges. Th e challenges confronting the fi ve schools (3 elementary schools, 1
middle school, and 1 high school) varies from age, location, and layout to utilization,
program fl exibility, and implementation of state recommendations. Th e community
will need to make a decision regarding the viability of each school and develop a
strategy for addressing these challenges.
School fi nances continue to pose a challenge to the school system, a challenge that
has been further complicated by Vermont’s statewide education funding system. Th e
changes to the state education funding formula that began with passage of Act 60
in 1997, and more recently Act 46, have increased the diffi culties in ensuring the
appropriate funding is available for educational and facility needs.
For decades, South Burlington had sought to maintain a 50/50 split between
residential and non-residential property value on the grand list in order to spread the
cost of community facilities and services across a diverse tax base. Under Act 60, the
state education property tax system eff ectively results in a higher tax rate on residential
property as any revenue to be generated above an established ‘Based Education
Spending Amount’ is derived solely from residential taxpayers. Th e Community can
expect further pressures from the State Legislature to contain education spending,
which may impact the District’s ability to fund educational and facility needs.
University of Vermont. Th e University of Vermont’s Campus Master Plan provides
a fl exible framework that can accommodate changes in attitudes about campus
environments, new technologies and revised institutional requirements. Th e current
plan directly addresses the growth of the campus through 2015, and looks forward to
growth in the decades beyond. In 2006, UVM’s Board of Trustees voted to approve
the current version of the Campus Master Plan.
Chapter 5 of the Campus Master Plan provides an analysis of existing conditions, an
analysis of the frameworks identifi ed for campus planning, an overview of the design
guidelines established for the South Campus, and an illustrative plan that provides an
overview of the university’s future vision for the South Campus. Th e Campus Master
Plan has also identifi ed a number of infi ll land banks to organize future development
since the university’s needs for academic, housing, administrative and support space
will continue to evolve.
Land banks in the South Campus are delineated primarily for two uses: academic and
residential. Buildings and their associated infrastructure will fi t within these designated
areas when and if the university proceeds with a specifi c development initiative. Th e
residential land banks might have some academic or institutional use associated with
them but at this time there are no specifi c plans for such properties. Alternative
housing strategies and joint community partnerships may be a possible consideration
for these sites. Th e East Woods Natural Area serves important environmental and
community purposes and is considered a no build zone.
From the City’s perspective, the university-owned Centennial Woods Natural Area
and East Woods Natural Area provide a tremendous benefi t to the City and region in
terms of open space preservation and passive recreation. In regard to the remaining
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parcels in South Burlington, it is the City’s desire that the properties continue to be
used for educational, research and agricultural purposes. Th ese lands are well suited
to an educational emphasis due their proximity to the main campus of the University
of Vermont. In addition, the provision of higher education services contributes a
far-reaching benefi t to the welfare of the community and region, including quality
education for the citizenry, attraction and retention of business, and relatively high
paying jobs.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
City Offi ces. City Hall has received major upgrades including: a new HVAC system,
mold removal, interior and exterior painting, carpets; the decades-old phone system
was upgraded, new audio and visual equipment is available for use in public meeting
rooms, and new security infrastructure is in place; a new stormwater treatment system
brings the property into line with City-wide goals, and new landscaping and signage
has freshened the building, making it easier to navigate and serving as a place of
pride for employees and citizens of the community. An employee kitchen, break area,
and fi tness center are amenities that will help attract and retain quality employees.
In 2013, a City Center Public Facilities analysis was performed that outlined needs
related to a future building in the City Center area.
Emergency Management. Several population and development trends in South
Burlington will shape emergency management in the coming years.
✦Population Growth and Development. Housing development is expected
to continue at a rate of average rate of 1.5 to 2.0 % annually. Commercial
development is also anticipated to continue at a similar pace. Th is development
will likely include a combination of infi ll using facility infrastructure and
new development requiring infrastructure extensions. It is also anticipated
that growth and development will vary by individual year. Population,
meanwhile, is expected to grow incrementally through 2020, and then level
off , according to a demographic forecast prepared in January 2015. As more
people and businesses reside in and visit the community, emergency response
needs will grow as well. . Any proposed development needs to consider the
ability of city departments to serve that development. Elder housing may
require additional Fire Department Staffi ng, while retail development may
require additional police staffi ng. As development continues, the growth may
trigger a need to expand one or more city departments.
✦Population Aging. Gradual aging of the resident population - and
development of additional senior housing facilities - will infl uence future
emergency response needs, in particular fi re and rescue needs.
✦City Center Development. Th e built environment of City Center - compact
streets coupled with multi-story mixed use development - will infl uence
future emergency response needs, including potential foot or bicycle police
patrol, confi ned space fi re and rescue training, and other specialized needs.
Consideration of regulated parking and parking enforcement will have to be
factored in to project development. Th is built environment may also provide
opportunities for community sheltering.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Primary and Secondary Schools. Neighborhood schools are “creators of community”
and an essential component of the City’s quality of life; they minimize the need for
transportation for those students within walking distance. Sidewalks and signaled cross
walks should be provided during the review process of new developments to allow
students to walk safely to school. Similarly for those students outside walking distance
sidewalks should be provided to school bus stops. Th ese stops should be located away
from residences or appropriately buff ered so that waiting groups of students do not
disturb residents. In general, city streets and sidewalks, especially along arterials and
collectors, should be constructed to serve new residential developments and provide
safe pickup stops for school busses that do not impede high volume of through traffi c.
NON-TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
1. Proposed New Water Tower (Southeast Quadrant)
Summary Acquire land and construct a water tower in the Southeast
Quadrant.
Purpose To ensure adequate water pressure and fi re protecƟ on
services to meet future needs from a locaƟ on that is among
the higher elevaƟ ons in the City.
2. Expanded City Center Park (Market Street / Potash Brook)
Summary Conserve an area of public open space as idenƟ fi ed in the
City Center / Market Street Environmental Assessment and
approved Dumont / City Center Park concept Plan, focused on
the natural features of Potash Brook.
Purpose To create an interacƟ ve natural area in the City Center area
that provides for stream buff er and groundwater infi ltraƟ on
together with public interacƟ on, educaƟ on, and enjoyment.
3. Proposed New City Park (Van Sicklen / Hinesburg Road)
Summary Acquire land and develop a new municipal park with roadways
and recreaƟ on paths linked into City-wide systems.
Purpose To create a mulƟ -purpose, citywide park for use by residents
and visitors. Features of the park may include: ball fi elds,
picnic areas and shelters, playgrounds, community gardens,
support faciliƟ es, complementary agricultural operaƟ ons,
renewable energy producƟ on, etc.
4. Proposed New City Park (Lakeshore)
Summary Acquire land and develop a new municipal park with recreaƟ on
paths linked into city-wide systems, conƟ nuing the waterfront
system and providing public access to Lake Champlain.
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Purpose To create a mulƟ -purpose, citywide park for use by residents
and visitors. Features of the park may include: ball fi elds,
picnic areas and shelters, playgrounds, community gardens,
support faciliƟ es, complementary agricultural operaƟ ons,
renewable energy producƟ on, etc.
5. Proposed New City Park (Muddy Brook)
Summary Acquire land and develop a new municipal park with
recreaƟ on paths linked into City-wide systems.
Purpose To create a natural area and buff er to Muddy Brook for use
by residents and visitors, complemenƟ ng already conserved
parcels and their walking trails. Features of the park may
include: walking trails, wetland restoraƟ on, renewable energy
producƟ on, etc.
6. Proposed New City Natural Area (Winooski River)
Summary Acquire land and develop a new municipal park with
recreaƟ on paths linked into City-wide systems.
Purpose To create a natural area and buff er to the Winooski River
for use by residents and visitors, complemenƟ ng the nearby
Winooski Valley Parks District land and their walking trails.
Features of the park may include, but are not limited to:
walking trails, wetland restoraƟ on, etc.
7. Proposed New City Park (Winooski River)
Summary Acquire land and develop a new municipal park with
recreaƟ on paths linked into City-wide systems.
Purpose To create a community or neighborhood park for use by
residents and visitors, providing access to neighboring
residenƟ al areas. Features of the park may include, but are
not limited to: recreaƟ on paths, ball fi elds, playgrounds,
picnic areas, etc.
8. Proposed New City Park (City Center)
Summary Acquire land and develop a programmable urban park as a
focus point to City Center
Purpose To create a central outdoor (with possible indoor features)
gathering space that supports community events and acts as
a key, public place in the heart of the City.
9. Proposed New Community Library (City Center)
Summary Acquire space for an develop a new City Library in City Center
Purpose To establish a City Library consistent with the needs idenƟ fi ed
in the City Center Public FaciliƟ es Feasibility Study, including
core library funcƟ ons as well as community event and acƟ vity
space.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
10. Proposed New Indoor Recreation Facilities
Summary Acquire space for and develop indoor recreaƟ onal faciliƟ es,
likely in City Center.
Purpose To establish needed indoor recreaƟ onal faciliƟ es idenƟ fi ed
within this Plan and the City Center Public FaciliƟ es Feasibility
Study. Discussions with the School District regarding
centralized and/or decentralized locaƟ ons for such faciliƟ es
are ongoing.
11. Proposed New City Hall
Summary Acquire land for and construct a new City Hall to replace the
current facility.
Purpose To meet future needs for space for core municipal funcƟ ons
as idenƟ fi ed in the City Center Public FaciliƟ es Feasibility
Study.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
✦School + Community Master Planning Task Force Report (2015)
✦Feasibility Study, City Center Public Facilities (2013)
✦South Burlington Open Space Report (2014)
COMMUNITY FACILITY & SERVICES OBJECTIVES
Objective 10. Provide quality indoor and outdoor public facilities and
services, identifi ed through collaborative strategic planning,
that meet present-day needs and are programmed to
anticipate needs at least 20 or more years into the future.
Objective 11. Complete comprehensive and consistent master plans for
signifi cant City-owned parks and natural areas.
Objective 12. Provide connections and space for City residents of all
ages and abilities to participate in life-long educational,
recreational, and community service opportunities for both
personal enrichment and to strengthen neighborhood and
community connections.
Objective 13. Provide ease of access to City governance and raise rates of
public participation in decision making.
COMMUNITY FACILITY & SERVICES STRATEGIES
Strategy 25. Annually maintain a capital budget and program for future public facility and utility needs; link
to Impact Fee Ordinance.
Strategy 26. Improve and expand public facilities and services in a manner that supports, complements
and reinforces the land use and development recommendations of this plan, which includes a
preference for infi ll over expansion of existing service areas.
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Strategy 27. Continue to develop and refi ne City-wide plans that address “Ability to Serve” issues from a
capital, human resource and programmatic perspective. Further ongoing planning eff orts to
ensure that adequate wastewater, water, stormwater, emergency services, public works and
other pertinent City services are available in anticipation of growth.
Strategy 28. Encourage consideration of the construction of people-oriented public facilities - including a
community library, city hall, indoor recreation facilities and community center; and open space
environmental infrastructure in the City Center area.
Strategy 29. Provide ease of access to public information and feedback through tools such as CCTV, the City
website, social media, and traditional media, and continue a policy of open governance.
Strategy 30. Encourage the provision of open space and dedicated park land that accentuates the school
district’s educational goals by providing for experiential and applied learning experiences.
Strategy 31. Regularly evaluate the City’s policies regarding use of City infrastructure.
Strategy 32. Create and implement policies and incentives that will attract high quality and aff ordable
childcare.
Strategy 33. Develop a public facilities impact fee to support the establishment of municipal facilities,
including a community center, to meet the community’s needs.
Strategy 34. Implement identifi ed projects within the All Hazards Mitigation Plan including river corridor
management.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
E. Quality of Life
The South Burlington Comprehensive Plan is intended to provide a road
map to the continued eff orts of the community to provide the highest
possible quality of life for its current and future residents and visitors.
This is met through establishing policies that support the needs of an
increasingly diverse population in their homes and search for housing,
in their workplaces, in their schools, in their recreation, and in their
community as a whole.
OVERVIEW
Th e focus of this plan is on the physical environment that the community shares:
natural areas and rivers, parks, neighborhoods, commercial and employment centers,
roadways and recreation paths. Th e physical space sets the groundwork for true
quality of life measures: aff ordability of housing, availability of employment, mobility
of transportation, conservation of natural resources, provision of community and
emergency services, and opportunities for public interaction and gathering.
Each chapter of this Plan is designed and drafted to support this eff ort from the
various perspectives and topic areas that infl uence or are infl uenced by the use of
land and the provision of services by the City and schools. A handful of important
contributing factors lead to a high quality of life in the City, however some are not
specifi cally enumerated elsewhere in the Plan and therefore are discussed below. Th ey
include:
✦Design of the built environment
✦Public and community services
✦Community engagement
✦Clean air
✦Livability
DESIGN OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Th ere are defi ned aesthetic qualities that aff ect the perception of South Burlington.
Th e built environment, open spaces, scenic views, and natural areas help to defi ne
the City as well as its various neighborhoods and business districts. New design
should respect the existing landscape and positively contribute to it. Open spaces and
natural areas essential to scenic views and historic landscapes should be identifi ed and
preserved for future generations. Th is plan seeks to allow for responsible development
that positively contributes to the community while preserving the essential elements
of the City’s landscape that defi ne South Burlington for future generations to enjoy.
Among the strategies of this Plan to promote a quality built environment:
✦Design Review/Form Based Codes. Th e City has successfully implemented
several design review districts within its City Center and is in 2015 working
towards an evolution to an adopted Form Based Code. Th is eff ort has proved
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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successful and it is a concept that is proposed to be explored in other areas
of the city. It is in the interest of the City to improve its appearance in order
to enhance the quality of life for the City’s residents, businesses and visitors.
✦Public Infrastructure. Improvements to the appearance and aesthetics of the
City can be accomplished by such actions as placing utilities underground,
planting trees and landscaping along City streets, and enforcing sign
regulations.
✦Landscaping. Several existing features in the Land Development Regulations
should be maintained and applied in order to improve the aesthetic quality
of the City. Th ese may include landscaping requirements, setbacks, buff ers
around project perimeters, conservation of existing vegetation, berming in
select areas, shielding large parking areas with landscaping or buildings, and
buff ers between confl icting land uses.
✦Lighting. Continuing to require that lighting within the City be attractive
and downcast is an important component of the community’s aesthetics.
Th e inclusion of incentives or requirements for energy effi ciency, dark sky
compliant standards, and pedestrian-scaled design should also be explored.
✦Stormwater. Stormwater has become an increasingly important issue in
urban design as stormwater facilities and low-impact development techniques
are implemented throughout the City (See the Grey Infrastructure chapter).
Th ese have the opportunity to be attractive elements of the community if
implemented as part of a thoughtful design.
✦Context-Sensitive Site Design. Th e City should also encourage the retention
of historic landscapes and structures and the restoration of others. Th e use
of additional alternatives to achieve improved aesthetics should be explored,
such as requiring variable setbacks, the use of high quality traditional building
materials, and locating parking to the rear of commercial establishments. It
has been a trend in many sectors of the retail area to construct cheap structural
shells that are easily changed to accommodate market fl uctuations. Th e City
should work with the development community to identify tools to improve
the quality and aesthetics of design while maintaining the fl exibility.
✦Public Spaces. It is important that public spaces continue to be fully
integrated into the built environment. Th ese public spaces, be they parks,
recreational paths, sidewalks, public squares, outdoor seating at restaurants,
and more, contribute substantially to the quality to life within the City and
help to foster a true sense of community.
✦Public Art. Public art should be encouraged in both public and private
projects.
✦Open Space Management. Th e City’s public open space areas provide
a signifi cant amenity to the community in terms of their conservation of
natural resources, their aesthetics, and their availability for public use. Over
the past decade, the need to develop long range management plans for the
City’s open space has become clear. Th e City should continue to develop,
maintain, and implement these plans.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Together, these strategies, combined with those from elsewhere in the plan, are intended
to implement a smart growth strategy of effi cient use of land and maintenance of high
quality developed and undeveloped areas. In the past decade, the City has participated
in the establishment of several such areas, including development of the Farrell Street
neighborhood, adaptive re-use of buildings along Dorset Street, and conservation
management planning for the Wheeler Nature Park.
PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Several chapters of the Comprehensive Plan provide objectives and strategies related
to public infrastructure and facilities designed to serve the needs of the community:
streets, recreation paths, water and wastewater facilities, parks, municipal and school
buildings, community spaces, and libraries, among others.
Related to each of these facilities are the services and activities that take place on and
within them, and the need to maintain them for ongoing use. Th e breadth and quality
of these services plays an important role in the quality of life in the City. Th ese services
fall into a two broad categories:
✦Community Facility Maintenance. Th e upkeep and planned upgrade of
public and quasi-public facilities, such as snow plowing, and building repair
are the responsibilities of the system owners and should be planned for on
a regular and ongoing basis. Maintaining these facilities allows not only for
the basic needs of the community to be met, but provides opportunities
for public interaction and enjoyment. It also allows for private community
groups to meet and host their activities.
✦Public Services. Community services such as fi re, police, recreational
programming, education, and libraries are critical components of the quality
of life of a community. Th ese services provide for both immediate needs and
for long-term tools for success and enjoyment by the public. Th e City has
worked to enhance many of these services and facilities in the last decade,
including the creation of a community room in the new police station,
establishment of new public open spaces with the voter-approved Open
Space fund, enhancement of recreation services, library and senior programs,
community policing, stormwater, and overall services of the City, and creation
of a new family of City logos that are designed to refl ect the community and
its residents.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROMOTION
Residents of the City have a long history of direct involvement in local organizations
and municipal governance, as well as a tradition of knowing and helping out their
neighbors. Healthy communities are ones in which residents play an active role. In
South Burlington, the need for civic engagement is high; a successful community
relies heavily on the opinion and work of volunteers.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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Public involvement takes multiple forms. Each of these refl ects a commitment to the
community.
✦Voting and Participation in Local Decision Making. Residents of South
Burlington have long voted on the election of municipal and school board
offi cials and the school budget. In 2008, an amendment to the municipal
charter was enacted providing the voters with the responsibility to vote on
the annual municipal budget as well. Th ese four key votes – in addition to
those for special ballot items – provide the backbone of the City and school’s
operations and require an important framework of public information
sharing amongst elected offi cials, staff and the public. In between these
key annual votes, volunteer boards and committees meet on a monthly or
semi-monthly basis, hosting discussions and debates and making important
decisions regarding the future of the community. Participation by the public
in these regular meetings and events is an important element of maintaining
a strong, connected community and making eff ective decisions for its future.
✦At the core of public participation is the need for transparency in operations.
Th e City’s charter change to require voting on the budget is an example of
this transparency, as is the posting of meeting agendas and studies on the
City’s website and overall open approach to public meetings.
✦Community Activity Participation. South Burlington residents have –
and make use of – substantial opportunities to participate in community
events, both within the City itself and throughout the vibrant Chittenden
County area. Local community-based activities and events, such as recreation
programs, Green-Up Day, Fire Department activities, and library events
provide opportunities for enrichment and interaction, and for community
members to get to know one another; all critical components of a community
with a high quality of life. A parallel opportunity for South Burlington is the
existence of a tremendous variety of activities and programs in Burlington
and throughout Chittenden County. Participation in these activities helps to
enhance the overall sense of regional community. It is important that residents
continue to be off ered opportunities to engage locally – through community
or neighborhood events– to increase community pride and to link all facets
of the community. Th ese opportunities should encourage a sense of place.
Pocket parks, pop-up facilities, food trucks, and neighborhood improvement
initiatives will help promote community identity and pride.
✦Volunteerism. Volunteerism is a critical backbone of any successful
community. In South Burlington, over 80 volunteers serve on more than a
dozen diff erent committees and boards just for the City. Volunteers associated
with the South Burlington schools, community groups, and non-profi t
organizations within and outside the City extend this fi gure manyfold. In
addition, many donors have contributed to the community over the years,
enhancing facilities and services for all residents to enjoy. Th e City should
continue to foster volunteerism and participation in local governance through
open and transparent meeting practices, providing community meeting space,
use of emergent technology, and outreach to interested individuals who have
expertise in various subject areas and wish to serve the community.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
CLEAN AIR
Clean air is precious resource. Th is Plan provides for a multi-faceted approach to
prioritizing access to clean air; strategies can be found throughout the Plan that
aim to create global, regional, and local impacts. Th is includes a reduction of fossil
fuels through promotion and prioritization of renewable energy infrastructure,
conservation of natural resources and a target towards an increased tree canopy, and
a focus on transportation alternatives and non-motorized transportation alternatives.
Regulations in eff ect limit visible emissions and pollutants while other adopted City
Ordinances, including those related to outdoor burning, control of air pollution, and
several fi re-related ordinances, directly or indirectly seek to do the same.
Th e City commits to continuing focus in these areas, with appropriate relationships to
the Land Development Regulations and other ordinances.
LIVABILITY
Th e City is strongly committed to providing an enjoyable environment for residents,
employees, and visitors at their homes, places of employment, schools, and destinations;
where children can freely play, residents can sit on their front stoops free of excessive
nuisance, where neighbors become friends, and where staying in the community is a
purposed and gratifying choice.
Th e City, through this Plan and other tools and policies, sets high expectations. While
recognizing that mixed uses can create great places, they may also lead to confl ict. Th e
City will support access to enjoyable living and work for everyone. Impacts of human
activity will be mitigated or reduced to ensure the highest quality of life possible.
All human activity, be it household, recreational, travel, business operation, or provision
of services, generates noise and other impacts on the community. Th is is especially the
case along the City’s major transportation corridors, in the central district, and where
people and business are located close together. Recognizing that having a dynamic,
bustling community brings with it these side-eff ects, the City will remain cognizant in
planning land uses and activities, investigate innovative land use planning techniques,
promote site design that recognizes and mitigates for these impacts, and continue
to support regulations such as the public nuisance ordinance and noise generation
standards within the Land Development Regulations. Th e City will also continue to
engage the community to understand residents’ and employees’ needs for high quality
environments.
Th e City also maintains regulations and ordinances including those related to fi re
hazards, vibration, noise, odors, heat, glare, and waste materials. Th e City remains
committed to enhancing the quality in life for its residents, employees, and visitors in
part through enforcement of these standards.
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2-53
QUALITY OF LIFE OBJECTIVES
Objective 14. Seek a livable balance between public, commercial, and civic
activity and private tranquility and promote the health, peace,
and well-being of residents in their daily lives.
Objective 15. For all new development, public and private, consider
accessibility for users of diff ering ages and physical abilities.
Objective 16. Build and reinforce diverse, accessible neighborhoods that
off er a good quality of life by designing and locating new and
renovated development in a context-sensitive manner.
QUALITY OF LIFE STRATEGIES
Strategy 35. Take into account the quality of life of residents, employees, and visitors in the development of
City policies, plans, projects, and regulations.
Strategy 36. Actively plan for public spaces throughout the City, including public open spaces and public art,
such that these spaces can be utilized daily and also for special community-oriented events.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2.3. Gray Infrastructure
A. Transportation
The conveyance of people, goods, and services is a key element of
South Burlington’s residential and commercial health. Transportation
systems should be designed to provide residents and visitors access to
diverse alternatives for getting to their desired destinations. In addition,
transportation systems should provide for the orderly and continued
economic growth of our community. The improvements and expansion
of transportation systems should also proceed in a way that complements
the pattern of existing and proposed land uses. Planning of such systems
should be geared to the limited supply of land and some fuel sources.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to transportation in the City include:
✦South Burlington is shifting from an automobile-dependent, suburban
development pattern to a multi-modal, urbanizing development pattern. Th is
transition requires changes to the City’s transportation system to emphasize
bicycle/pedestrian travel, transit and greater connectivity in support of the
land use goals of this plan.
✦Short commutes, pleasant residential neighborhoods and contiguous open
areas are key elements of South Burlington’s quality of life. To maintain both,
the City will need to avoid traffi c congestion (through development of a more
effi cient, interconnected local street network and through major highway
projects such as the Route 2 corridor improvements and Exit 12B) while
mitigating the impacts of through traffi c on residential streets.
INVENTORY
Travel Corridors and Roadway Network. Th ere are approximately 100 miles of
roadway in the City of South Burlington. Each of these roadways serves multiple
users, from automobiles, busses, and commercial trucks to pedestrians and cyclists.
Within each roadway corridor, the City (or state for certain roads) must determine
the most eff ective combination of infrastructure within the limited right-of-way. Th e
City’s existing transportation network is shown on the Road Class and Transit Routes
map. An inventory of conditions within key corridors is below:
✦Interstates 89 and 189. Th ese routes serve as the primary long distance travel
corridors in the region, connecting Chittenden County to areas to the north
and southeast. Th ey also serve an intra-regional function connecting with the
local transportation network.
Travel Infrastructure. Four lanes of divided vehicle travel, with full
interchanges at Williston Road (Exit to I-89), Shelburne Road (to I-189), and
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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an interchange that provides access between the two interstates and between
Kennedy Drive and Shelburne Road (Exits 13 to I-89 and I-189).
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Needed improvements focus on
accesses to the interstate itself, including needed ramp improvements at Exit
14 and the potential for new or improved interchange accesses within the
City.
✦Shelburne Road (US Route 7). Th is route serves as the primary north-south
access for the western corridor of Vermont as well as the principal collector
for residential neighborhoods and employment centers in the southwestern
portion of South Burlington. It also provides direct access to I-189. Major
improvements to the Shelburne and South Burlington (to Imperial Drive)
segments of this route were completed in 2006.
Travel Infrastructure. Four lanes of vehicle travel with medians for local and
regional automobile travelers, commercial vehicles, transit service, on-road
bicycle lanes and sidewalks.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Th e section of Shelburne Road
north of IDX Drive does not contain medians or on-road bicycle lanes,
limiting the effi ciency of vehicle travel and forcing bicycles onto relatively
narrow sidewalks. Safety for pedestrians and cyclists crossing this section of
Shelburne Road is also a concern.
✦Williston Road (US Route 2). Th is route provides local and regional east-
west access through Chittenden County. Prior to the construction of I-89,
it was the primary east-west corridor in the region. Now its role has been
redefi ned as serving primarily local travel needs for people who live and work
in the vicinity of the corridor. Th e updated 2012 Route 2 Corridor Study
provides an extensive description of existing conditions on the highway, and
short- and long-term solutions to congestion, access, and safety problems. In
June 2010, the Chittenden County Transit Agency initiated a revised, direct
corridor service along this route that includes 15-minute bus headways in
each direction at peak commuter hours.
Travel Infrastructure. Four lanes (reduced to two lanes east of Route 116)
vehicle travel for primarily local automobile travelers, commercial vehicles,
and transit service; 5’ wide on-road bike paths and sidewalks (intermittent
east of Air Guard Road). Th e City completed a widening of US2 nearest
the Sheraton Hotel in order to accommodate increased traffi c volumes,
reduce congestion, improve safety, and address lane assignment confusion for
interstate access.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Th e Route 2 Corridor Study
highlights several key needed improvements, including access management,
pedestrian safety, the need for bicycle infrastructure throughout the corridor
and crossing the Interstate, and the lack of park and ride facilities. Th e
2012 TIF Plan identifi ed the need for and including funding for streetscape
improvements along this route.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
✦Hinesburg Road (VT Route 116). Hinesburg Road provides primary access
between South Burlington and communities to the southeast. Its northern
extremity also lies at the core of a long-establish residential neighborhood,
connecting residents to Williston Road and Kennedy Drive.
Travel Infrastructure. Two lanes of vehicle travel for primarily local automobile
travelers and commuters from the southern Chittenden County, limited
transit service north of I-89; sidewalks on one side of the street north of
Hayes Avenue, wide shoulders for bicycles south of Tilley Drive.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Th e northern extremity of
Hinesburg Road will need some upgrades in terms of signalization and
access management associated with City Center. Sidewalks are missing south
of Hayes Avenue towards Tilley Drive, but funding is allocated and plan
development underway. Any future interstate interchange (Exit 12B) will also
require upgrades.
✦Patchen Road. Patchen Road serves as the extension to Hinesburg Road
north of Williston Road, connecting South Burlington with Riverside Av-
enue and Colchester Avenue at the Burlington–Winooski border. Th e bridge
over I-89 is one of only a handful of connectors between the communities.
Th e character of development adjacent to Patchen Road is primarily medium
density residential, but the route is used by a handful of commercial and
industrial establishments located in Burlington or South Burlington.
Travel Infrastructure. Two lanes of vehicle travel for primarily local automobile
travelers, and some heavy trucks, sidewalks on one side of the street at its
southern end; wider lanes that allowed for shared use in some areas.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Sidewalks exist at the southern
end of Patchen Road, but do not continue northwards. In addition, sidewalk
connections to Burlington are limited. Space exists for bicycle lanes in some
areas, but have not traditionally been striped for such use. Recently approved
development of a housing development on the Burlington side will complete
these missing connections. Traffi c caused by heavy trucks remains a challenge
in the residential areas but should be reduced signifi cantly when S.D. Ireland
relocates from their property which is to be the site of the new housing
development.
✦Spear Street. Th is route parallels Shelburne Road, serving primarily residen-
tial transportation needs. Th e 2004 Spear Street Corridor Study includes a
full analysis of the roadway’s existing conditions, and recommended strategies
for maintaining its functionality and level of service as development proceeds.
Travel Infrastructure. Two lanes of vehicle travel for primarily local automobile
travelers and commuters from communities to the south. Repaving in 2013
made shoulders wider and adequate for bicycles on both sides south of Swift
Street, separated recreation path north of I-89.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Recommended improvements
for this street are found in the 2004 Spear Street Corridor Study, including
intersection improvements at the Swift Street intersection and improved
bicycle lanes.
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✦Dorset Street. Dorset Street serves commercial and higher-density residential
land use at its northern extent and becomes a north-south collector serving
primarily residential transportation needs further south. Th e 2007 Dorset
Street Corridor Study describes existing conditions and recommends strate-
gies for improvements to ensure the corridor’s ability to maintain and expand
high levels of service and safety for all users.
Travel Infrastructure. North of Kennedy Drive, Dorset Street is a four-lane
road with a median, transit service, and sidewalks/bicycle path on both sides.
South of Kennedy Drive, Dorset Street is a two-lane road with intermittent
recreation path sections parallel to the roadway.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Recommended improvements for
this street are found in the 2007 Dorset Street Corridor Study, including
intersection improvements at the Swift Street intersection and improved
bicycle paths and sidewalks south of Old Cross Road. Th e City is working
with the CCRPC towards adaptive traffi c signal control on the northern
stretch of Dorset Street.
✦Kennedy Drive. Kennedy Drive connects I-189 to Williston Road and serves
as an important local arterial connection and primary access to the Burling-
ton International Airport.
Travel Infrastructure. Kennedy Drive was fully reconstructed in 2007 as a
landscaped four-lane boulevard, with a planted median island, on-road
bicycle lanes, recreation path, and sidewalks. Regular transit service is also
provided on this road.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. No needed improvements have
been identifi ed for this roadway at the present time.
✦Airport Parkway / White Street / Airport Drive. Th ese three roads, together,
serve as the primary link between South Burlington and Essex / Colchester,
provide access to one of only a handful of crossings over the Winooski River,
and to the Burlington International Airport.
Travel Infrastructure. Airport Parkway consists of a two-lane roadway with
limited sidewalks at its southern extremity. White Street and Airport Drive
are two-lane roadways with sidewalks on one side.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. Access in the vicinity of the
confl uence of these roads is problematic as commuter, business, and airport-
bound traffi c converge on primarily residential streets. No bicycle lanes or
sidewalks have been established north of Kirby Road along Airport Parkway,
while White Street is underserved by sidewalks, with none on the side of
the street occupied by the Chamberlin Elementary School. Transit service
is present along White Street and Airport Drive, but does not extend along
Airport Parkway. Th e potential for an Airport Parkway realignment could lead
to better access to BIA and would remove some traffi c from neighborhood
streets.
✦Kimball Avenue. Kimball Avenue runs parallel to Williston Road between
Kennedy Drive and the Williston town line. Th e roadway serves as a collector
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for local businesses, a short-cut for traffi c reaching retail destinations in both
communities, and as a bicycle commuter route.
Travel Infrastructure. Kimball Avenue consists of a two-lane roadway with
narrow bicycle lanes on both sides and a partially-established recreation path
on the southern side. Limited bus service is also provided on Kimball Avenue
as part of the South Burlington Connector route.
Missing Links and Needed Improvements. While vehicular access to and from
Kimball Ave is generally strong, a connection to Tilley Drive is planned for
some point in the future. Th e bicycle infrastructure on the roadway remains
somewhat limited and in need of completion (both in term of on-road striping
and recreation paths). Th e City is working with the CCRPC to complete path
connection to the Williston town line. Th e City initiated a network analysis
for Tilley Drive/Kimball Avenue in 2015 in order to examine multimodal
plans and intersection enhancements based on anticipated development in
the area.
✦Secondary Roads. A substantial network of collector and neighborhood
roads link into the primary travel routes in South Burlington described above.
Th ese vary in width, size and amenities, but generally consist of two travel
lanes, sidewalks (on collector roads and newer roads), and on-street parking.
Traffi c Volumes. Th e state highways and several local roads in South Burlington are
heavily traveled. Nearly 40,000 vehicle trips are made each day on Williston Road
(US Route 2) nearest the Exit 14 interchange, with 30,000 trips per day on Shelburne
Road (US Route 7). Hinesburg Road carries around 11,000 vehicle trips daily. Other
main travel routes include Dorset Street, Kennedy Drive, Kimball Avenue, Old Farm
Road and Shunpike Road. Some of the roads that have experienced the greatest
increase in traffi c volume in recent years include: Kimball Avenue, Old Farm Road,
Shunpike Road, Dorset Street and Spear Street. Up-to-date traffi c data is maintained
by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.
Road Standards and Regulations. South Burlington has adopted road standards
and uses its land use regulations and Offi cial Map to maintain and improve traffi c
safety and effi ciency. Th e regulations require new development to maintain a certain
level of service and the City seeks to avoid exceeding D levels of service or less at
peak roadway hours at signalized intersections. As certain parts of the City begin to
urbanize more (including City Center), however, levels of service lower than D may
prove both acceptable and desirable in fostering a pedestrian-rich environment. Th e
City’s regulations can also be used to address and mitigate for high traffi c generating
uses in certain locations.
Recreation Path and Sidewalk System. Th e City’s sidewalk and recreation path
network is important component of the transportation network envisioned to provide
safe non-motorized interconnections both within South Burlington and between the
City and adjoining municipalities. South Burlington ordinances allow bicycle riding
on sidewalks and recreation paths alike.
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Th e network includes a combination of segments existing alongside roadways and
segments that are more circuitous, following natural features or parks. Currently there
are more than 70 miles of sidewalk and more than 26 miles of paved recreation path
in the City. Most new residential and commercial streets have sidewalks on at least one
side and all new developments are required to provide sidewalks or their equivalent.
However, sections of major roads, such as Spear Street, Williston Road, Allen Road,
Airport Parkway, Kimball Avenue, and Swift Street lack sidewalks, and frequently
where there is sidewalk, it ends abruptly.
Th e existing recreation path system has its origins in a grass-roots citizen eff ort
to provide for safe travel routes away from automobiles. After extensive public
involvement, the group prepared and presented a recreation path proposal to the City
Council in 1989. Th e council enthusiastically endorsed the project and designated
an offi cial City committee to oversee the path system. Initial construction of the
path system was completed in 1992 and additional segments have been added since,
funded through a combination of City funds and grants.
Pedestrian Trails. Currently there are 10.3 miles of formally recognized pedestrian
trails in the City. Th ere are numerous other short sections of trail created informally
in various neighborhoods. Pedestrian trails are intended to remain in an unpaved,
natural state, while recreation paths are intended to be paved for more intensive uses
such as bicycling and in-line skating. Th e two networks should be complementary and
interconnected.
Planning for a public pedestrian trail network began in 1969 and culminated in
specifi c proposals in the 1974 Comprehensive Plan. Th ose proposals have been largely
implemented through site plan and subdivision review. Also, requests for critical trail
links have been made directly to landowners irrespective of any development plans.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. Th e Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
(formerly the Recreation Path Committee) seeks and provides guidance on path
development from City Council, the Planning Commission, the Development Review
Board, other City committees, and the general public. Th e committee holds regular
monthly meetings, which are open to the public. Th e committee also coordinates its
planning eff orts both with surrounding communities and with regional, state, and
national path-related programs. Th e committee promotes use of the recreation path
system and reminds the public about safety rules via occasional articles in The Other
Paper. Th e committee also recommends pavement marking and signage both on the
path and on the roads to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Path or Trail Easements. Easements obtained over private land are the primary
means of locating paths and trails in the City. Easements are usually obtained during
the process of development review. Typically the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
makes recommendations on desirable easements and path/trail alignments to the
Development Review Board. Th e DRB and planning staff then negotiate with the
landowner.
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Transit Services. Th e Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) was
formed in 1973 to serve the mass transit needs of it member municipalities. CCTA
has grown to provide transit service throughout much of the region through a network
of approximately 20 bus routes, as well as commuter links to Montpelier, Middlebury
and St. Albans. Ridership has grown steadily since the system’s inception and has
ranged from three to eight % annual increases in recent years.
CCTA is funded through annual dues from its member municipalities, state and
federal programs, and fares. CCTA passengers may pay per trip or purchase passes
at a reduced rate. Discounts are available for senior citizens and students, and some
employers and colleges off er free or reduced rate passes to their employees or students.
Th ree fi xed routes serve the City of South Burlington: Shelburne Road, Williston
Road, and the South Burlington Collector. Th e Williston Road route has among
the highest weekday ridership of any route in the CCTA system and was recently
redesigned to provide direct access between Williston and Burlington along Route
2, with only the University Mall as a detour. Th is was coupled with providing service
every 15 minutes at rush hour. Both of these changes were implemented following an
extensive planning process for the Route 2 Corridor that includes recommendations
for improved transit service. Th is service is complemented by commuter link services
in the direction of Montpelier, Hinesburg, Middlebury, and St. Albans. An on-
demand service also operates from the University Mall to serve patients of the medical
offi ce buildings on Tilley Drive.
CCTA has placed a signifi cant focus on ridership connections: outfi tting all buses
with bicycle carriers, providing additional shelters for riders, and coordinating with
local, regional, and state partners on park-and-ride facilities and transit-friendly site
design for new development.
Air Transportation. Burlington International Airport, a joint civil-military public
airport, is managed by the City of Burlington and the Federal government. Th e airport,
which sits on nearly 950 acres, dominates land use in the northeastern quadrant of
South Burlington. Th e Airport Master Plan, documents the facility’s existing status as
well as future proposals through the next 20 years.
During the 2000s, the airport experienced an increase in growth and service. Between
2000 and 2008, $24 million in renovations and expansion were invested at Burlington
International. Th e airport authority recently completed a $15 million expansion
project that added fi ve gates, customer service areas, a 948-space parking garage and
an elevated connected walkway. A new garage expansion to add two additional fl oors
was opened in 2011.
In recent years, the airport has averaged approximately 250 aircraft operations per
day (50% general aviation, 30% air taxi, 5% military and 15% commercial). Th ere
are around 100 aircraft based at the airport including nearly 30 military aircraft. In
recent years, the airport has enplaned approximately 750,000 passengers annually.
Passenger fl ights to New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago and other regional
hubs are available from the various airlines that fl y out of Burlington International
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Airport. Both major commercial parcel carriers (UPS Airlines and FedEx Express)
fl y into Burlington International Airport, providing service for much of northern
Vermont. Two military installations are based at the airport: Burlington Air National
Guard Base 158th Fighter Wing and the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) of
the Vermont Army National Guard.
Rail Transportation. Th e Vermont Railway and the Central Vermont Railway both
maintain tracks through South Burlington. Th ese routes are presently used on a
limited basis for freight service and summer tourist trains. Commuter rail service
between Burlington and Charlotte was off ered on the Vermont Railway along Route
7 from late-2000 to early-2003. Long-range plans at the state level call for passenger
service to be re-established southward towards Middlebury, Rutland, Albany and New
York City.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Interconnected Road Network. South Burlington’s road network has a signifi cant
lack of east-west connections, as well as neighborhood and commercial district
connections in general. Th is lack of connections overburdens the few intersections
able to provide connectivity and results in unnecessary congestion. Alternate travel
routes have been planned to relieve some of the pressure on the existing arterial
network. Th e City has adopted an Offi cial Map that includes several additional east-
west connections and other improvements. Th ese improvements are also shown on
the enclosed map, Planned Infrastructure Improvements.
Th e planned roads will provide alternate routes of travel and result in a more grid-like
network of streets. A grid network provides more alternate routes of travel without
unduly impacting any single street with traffi c cutting through the neighborhood as
a shortcut. From the 1970s through the 1990s, many of the residential developments
in the City constructed cul-de-sac and dead-end streets, which exacerbate traffi c
issues on the few streets that do provide access to neighborhoods, create costly and
time-consuming ineffi ciencies in road maintenance, and can potentially jeopardize
emergency response. Motor vehicle accidents, construction, or even water main
breaks can and have closed off all access to neighborhoods with only one point of
access. Th e focus of new streets is for connections, not high speed or high volume
cut-throughs. New developments must connect to adjoining developments and their
roadway systems.
Th e wider distribution of traffi c into a more effi cient network will result in increased
traffi c for some of the roadways in the vicinity of the planned roads. Th e CCRPC,
through use of their regional traffi c modeling software, is able to project impacts
of changes to road network. Past studies have indicated that growth in adjacent
municipalities can have an impact on the City’s system. Th e need for effi cient
transportation facilities to serve the demand will continue. Th e City supports roadway
designs that are sensitive to neighborhoods and that can discourage cut-through traffi c
while still providing access and mobility.
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While the importance of these roadway connections cannot be overstated, any new
connection should be undertaken with great care. Roadway connections should serve
the purposes highlighted herein, but must also be sensitive to their surroundings.
Connections should be designed with minimal speeds. Connections should also be
ecologically sensitive, with careful planning to minimize impervious surfaces, respect
rare or endangered plant species, and continue allowance for wildlife crossings. In
some cases, reduced roadway widths or additional infrastructure may be appropriate.
Multiple Users. Like most of the county’s early road systems, much of the South
Burlington road network was long designed for a single purpose: to serve automobile
traffi c. Th e network has been undergoing a long-term retrofi t to include and
emphasize other primary users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit service, and
truck traffi c. In many cases, this has taken place within existing rights-of-way, but in
some cases road widening has been necessary. Several key roadways – notably portions
of Williston Road and some of the collectors that serve it – continue to provide only
marginal transportation alternatives, which over time has led to increased vehicular
traffi c. With increased demand for bicycle, transit and pedestrian amenities to be a
part of the standard roadway network, the City will need to evaluate alternatives for
the use of existing rights-of-way.
Recreation Paths. With increased use of the path system (including sidewalks,
recreation paths, trails, etc.), the need for the City to examine all users and all forms
of infrastructure has grown over the past two decades. Th is need will continue into
the future.
Access Management. Access management describes a set of strategies that can
be applied to prevent congestion and improve safety as development occurs along
road corridors. Access management can greatly improve the safety and effi ciency of
arterial streets by reducing the confl ict between through, local and turning traffi c.
South Burlington has incorporated access management strategies into its land use
regulations and is actively working with landowners to implement access management
strategies along heavily traveled roads.
Accommodation of “through” traffi c serving the greater needs of South Burlington
residents, employers, and businesses on arterial streets carries a higher priority than
access to frontage properties. Th e general pattern of existing and approved developments
on Kennedy Drive and Kimball Avenue epitomizes a reasonable confi guration of an
arterial highway (i.e., few curb cuts and provision of service roads). Along Route 2 and
most of Route 7, where highly fragmented ownership patterns have evolved over many
decades there are extreme confl icts between “to” and “through” traffi c. Consequently,
even greater congestion in these areas can be reasonably anticipated for the foreseeable
future.
Th ere are several techniques and improvements that could be implemented, and at
least should be explored, in order to improve upon existing problems, provide for
anticipated future growth, and maintain the safety and an adequate level of service
on arterial streets. Certain geometric improvements can be made to improve safety
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and maximize capacity. Examples include installation of proper signing, striping,
and control equipment; or provision of stacking lanes at mid-block and intersection
locations to segregate “to” and “through” lanes. (Th is may require purchase or exaction
of land for road widening of substandard rights-of-way). Parallel access roads, such
as San Remo Drive, provide helpful means of access to development off of a main
transportation corridor.
Transit. Th e recent enhancements to the Williston Road route were refl ective of a
demand that had exceeded supply in terms of service in the area. As development
density increases in this area – particularly with the establishment of City Center –
these needs will again increase. A signifi cant challenge to transit providers in recent
years has been the location of new development in areas not presently served. Th e
medical facilities in the vicinity of Tilley Drive and Hinesburg Road are examples, as
are some senior living facilities throughout the City. CCTA and the City will need
to both plan for meeting these needs, as well as provide specifi c strategies to ensure
eff ective and effi cient land use along existing transit corridors.
Airport. Th e airport is a vital element in economic development and transportation
for the county and surrounding region. Th e continued success of the airport will be
characterized by increased aircraft operations, runway and terminal improvements,
and increased ancillary activity at the southern end of the airport. In the areas of
economic development and transportation, the interests of the City and the airport are
very closely aligned. Improved roads and transit service in the City generally enhance
use of the airport, and the attraction of further light industry to the City will be
infl uenced by proximity to an airfi eld with the broadest possible range of air service.
Th ere are some areas of confl ict that the City and the airport have been striving
to improve. Principally, these are the pre-existing residential neighborhoods in the
immediate environs of the airport, including the impact of air noise and consumer
travel to and from the airport.
Th e airport completed a 2030 Master Plan. Th e most recent information available
projects that airport enplanements will double in the coming 20 years, as they did in
the past 20 years. Th e plan includes multiple proposals for traffi c mitigation, including
a new access to the interstate. Th e City has not yet taken a position on the plan or its
individual elements.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation. Walking and bicycling are transportation
modes that until the 1990s were largely overlooked in the region’s spending and
planning priorities. Bicycling, walking and jogging are increasingly popular for
both recreation and transportation. Greater incentives to promote non-vehicular
travel can and should be implemented to minimize dependence on the automobile
for local circulation. In addition, pedestrians and cyclists in an automobile-oriented
environment must receive appropriate consideration.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Pedestrian links are needed between neighborhoods, schools, parks, shopping and
employment centers, other transportation modes and other community focal points.
In order to promote such links as transportation facilities, pedestrian ways generally
should follow direct travel routes whenever possible, rather than paralleling roadways.
In addition, pedestrian/bicycle ways should be designed to reduce confl icts with
motorized vehicles. Sidewalks and pedestrian ways that parallel roadways should be
constructed on both sides of arterial streets, on one or both sides of collector streets,
and on at least one side of local streets. In addition, it is important that all signalized
intersections include a pedestrian phase in order to allow for pedestrian movements.
It is imperative to carefully plan for and implement safe provisions for pedestrians
and cyclists when constructing, modifying and/or upgrading roadways: this represents
a complete streets approach. Along arterial streets, separate or shared facilities for
bicycle/pedestrian use should be provided. Th is need is particularly strong along
the Williston Road corridor. On collector streets, bike/pedestrian routes should be
designated by signs in conjunction with pavement widening and painted lines. On
local streets where traffi c volumes and speeds are low enough to pose few hazards to
pedestrians and cyclists, bike/pedestrian route designations by signing alone should
suffi ce. In addition, the University of Vermont, as a major focal point, must be closely
involved with pedestrian and bicycle planning, particularly along Spear Street where
its major holdings are located.
Pedestrian travel can also be promoted through land use policies. Mixed-use
developments consisting of residential and non-residential uses, or offi ce, restaurant
and retail, enhance pedestrian movement by congregating services and facilities within
walking distance. In addition, compact, mixed-use city or village centers create a more
pedestrian friendly environment as opposed to linear strip development patterns along
arterial roadways.
Traffi c Data. Th e traffi c data essential to equitable review of new development, such
as volume counts, turning movements and volume-to-capacity ratios, should be
collected and maintained. Th ese factors aff ect the cost effi ciency and proper timing of
new roads or improvements, as well as the maintenance of reasonable levels of service.
Meeting Demands of Change and Development. As the City continues to
evolve, the transportation network will need to evolve with it. Areas of additional
development, such as in the vicinity of Kimball Avenue, Tilley Drive, Technology Park
and Meadowland Drive, will face transportation challenges. Alternatives to meet those
needs, including improvements to Interstate access (such as an Exit 12B), additional
connectivity between existing and new roadways, increased transit services, improved
bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and/or enhancements to existing street profi les will
need to be examined and implemented. Such improvements must be planned and
made in close coordination with nearby and aff ected land use areas and be in keeping
with the overall multi-modal transportation goal and objectives of this Plan.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-65
Road Design and Construction Standards. Th e design and construction of local
streets should be reviewed in general accord with their classifi cation and the following
principles:
✦Privately owned and maintained residential roadways are strongly discouraged;
✦Th e speed and volume of “through” traffi c is minimized;
✦More than one access point onto collector or arterial streets is needed for
larger or higher density projects (may include limited, emergency access
points);
✦Th e subdivision of lots without public road frontage is strongly discouraged;
✦Adequate access for emergency vehicles is essential, and turnarounds for
maintenance vehicles and school buses should be provided;
✦Design and construction standards must be commensurate with density; and,
✦Eff ective access management along collector and arterial roadways is essential.
As properties adjacent to streets with inadequate rights-of-way are developed or
redeveloped, the land or easements necessary for widening or otherwise improving
the right-of-way should be secured as a condition of site plan or subdivision approval.
Transit. Transit is best rendered to well-planned, intensively used compact areas.
Higher intensity development should be directed towards existing bus routes or to
areas where bus service can conveniently expand. In addition, specifi c development
proposals should be carefully evaluated at site plan or subdivision review with regard
to the need for patron shelters and other factors aff ecting bus stop location. Highway
planning should specifi cally incorporate provisions for existing and potential transit
service.
Rail. Th e Vermont Railway, which parallels Route 7, holds the potential not only
for north-south intercity freight and passenger service, but also for direct service to
the commercially zoned properties fronting on its east side. Rail siding potential for
these properties should be maintained wherever feasible in the layout of proposed
development. As the intensity of development increases on the lands west of the
tracks, improvements to at-grade crossings (Bartlett Bay Road, Holmes Road, Inn
Road) may be necessary.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
✦Market Street Reconstruction Project (current)
✦Garden Street Project Defi nition Report (2015)
✦Williston Road Transportation Network Study (2015)
✦Williston Road Complete Streets Study (2012)
✦US Route 2 Corridor Transportation Management Plan (2008)
✦I-89 Exit 12B Circulation Study & Analysis Reports (2010, 2011)
✦Shelburne Road Corridor Study (2012)
✦Dorset Street Corridor Study (2007)
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
✦Spear Street Corridor Study (2004)
TRANSPORTATION OBJECTIVES
Objective 17. Provide a transportation network that complies with Complete
Street mandates and maximizes effi ciency and safety for all
types of users (pedestrians, cyclists, transit, automobiles,
trucks, rail, and air).
Objective 18. Connect neighborhoods with one another via road segments
and with commercial areas for local, slow speed circulation.
Objective 19. Provide a transportation network that is supportive of and
integrated into the adjacent land uses and that is designed to
minimize fragmentation of and adverse impacts to identifi ed
natural, cultural, scenic and other open space resources.
Objective 20. Reduce the percentage of trips taken by single-occupancy
vehicles in the City.
Objective 21. Seek alternative traffi c congestion relief measures before
existing roadway segments are expanded.
Objective 22. Foster community discussion about transportation and land-
use planning for the northeast quadrant of the City, including
Interstate connectivity.
TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES
Strategy 37. Due to increased development and the desire to protect natural resources, update the South
Burlington Planned East-West Roads Analysis.
Strategy 38. Plan for safe pedestrian and bike access to all schools and support eff orts to encourage more
children to walk or bike to school.
Strategy 39. Work with the private sector to implement transportation demand management techniques
such as ride sharing programs, bus vouchers, and fl exible work hours; such techniques should
be explored as possible mitigation to potential negative traffi c impacts resulting from new
development.
Strategy 40. Implement the proposed street and intersection improvements included on the City’s Offi cial
Map and/or Capital Budget and Program either as a public project or by private developers
as warranted by the scope of new development, and continue to require developers to make
any necessary improvements to intersection geometry, signalization, and streetscapes as a
condition of approval.
Strategy 41. Implement access management techniques when planning new roads or improving existing
roads. Require the provision of access management techniques (e.g. limit curb cuts, service
roads, etc.) along high volume arterial and collector roadways as a condition of approval for
new development and redevelopment.
Strategy 42. Work with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and Vermont Agency of
Transportation to establish Transportation Improvement Districts (TIDs) in areas anticipated for
development and transportation need.
Strategy 43. Work with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission to complete transportation
network analyses and network studies for areas anticipated for development and
transportation need, including examination of an I-89 Interstate interchange at Hinesburg
Road or other location.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-67
Strategy 44. Work with neighboring communities and transportation partners on cooperative strategies
for managing the impacts of travel to and from South Burlington, including park and rides
and capture/intercept lots, along with appropriate and direct public transit serving them, and
pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure connecting to adjacent municipalities.
Strategy 45. Develop and build a City-wide sidewalk and recreation path plan that identifi es and prioritizes
gaps to link various neighborhood and community focal points.
Strategy 46. Support enhanced commuter rail service on the Vermont Railway and Central Vermont Railway
tracks and amend the City’s Land Development Regulations to provide opportunities and
mitigate against impacts of rail connections in the community.
Strategy 47. Prioritize transportation planning eff orts to provide safe and effi cient access to the Burlington
International Airport in a manner that does not adversely aff ect adjacent neighborhoods.
Strategy 48. Improve traffi c fl ow through the City by exploring new technologies, synchronizing traffi c
lights and adjusting traffi c light timing based on time of day and traffi c volume while retaining
balance with pedestrian needs.
Strategy 49. Seek opportunities to install a park and ride lot along the Shelburne Road corridor.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS (MAP 10)
1. Williston Road / Hinesburg Road Intersection Improvements
Summary This intersecƟ on would be improved to provide greater traffi c
movement in various direcƟ ons related to future City Center
traffi c fl ows.
Purpose This is proposed in order to ensure safe and effi cient traffi c
movement on Market Street and throughout City Center.
Potential Impacts The Hinesburg Road intersecƟ on presently funcƟ ons as one
of few signaled pedestrian crossings of Williston Road. Any
improvements to this intersecƟ on will need to be balanced
with pedestrian needs and scale.
Completed Studies Market Street Improvements Environmental Assessment
(2010), Garden Street Project Defi niƟ on Report (2015)
2. City Center Road Network
Summary This project includes a reconstrucƟ on of Market Street,
Garden Street, and addiƟ onal connected streets within
the City Center area with on-street parking, sidewalks,
landscaping, and uƟ liƟ es. Bicycles are envisioned to share the
street as it approaches the core of City Center. Market Street
would be crossed by new roads: one connecƟ ng Midas Drive
to Healthy Living, a second (later phase) to connect San Remo
Drive to a realigned Mary Street, and one or more others
linking the street to the MarcoƩ e Central School Property to
the north and properƟ es to the south.
Purpose To provide safe and effi cient access from Hinesburg Road to
Dorset Street, and to create a downtown-style network of
roadways in conjuncƟ on with City Center
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Potential Impacts Market Street is already in existence. The impacts of the road
network are fully assessed in the Market Street Environmental
Assessment.
Completed Eff orts Market Street Improvements Environmental Assessment
(2010); Market Street ReconstrucƟ on (2015 and nearing
compleƟ on); Garden Street Project Defi niƟ on (2015)
3. City Center Parking Garage
Summary One or more parking garages to serve the City Center area, as
envisioned in the Conceptual Master Plan.
Purpose In order to foster a downtown-style of development, it will be
necessary for parking to be provided in a format other than
tradiƟ onal surface parking. The City has 450 spaces approved
as eligible for TIF District Financing.
Potential Impacts Cost and use of land for parking are two important
consideraƟ ons. Public parking that is highly accessible
may be constructed in private buildings. Some opƟ ons and
alternaƟ ves exist to miƟ gate some of the need for on-site
structured parking, including potenƟ al parƟ cipaƟ on in a
TransportaƟ on Management AssociaƟ on and/or nearby off -
site opƟ on.
Completed Studies Market Street Improvements Environmental Assessment
(2010)
4. I-89 Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge
Summary Analysis and potenƟ al construcƟ on of a bicycle and pedestrian
bridge over I-89 in the vicinity of Exit 14.
Purpose To provide safe and effi cient connecƟ vity for walkers and
cyclists between the City Center area and housing, University
of Vermont, and City of Burlington on the west side of the
Interstate.
Potential Impacts Present bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure over the
Interstate has limited funcƟ onality. While sidewalks and
bicycle lanes do exist, they are crossed by mulƟ ple on- and
off -ramps on both sides.
Completed Studies Not yet studied in depth.
5. Airport Drive Extension
Summary A new connector road to link Airport Drive directly to
Airport Parkway. This proposal has been included in several
Comprehensive Plans of the City.
Purpose To provide a more direct connecƟ on for travelers between
Route 15 and Williston Road / the Burlington InternaƟ onal
Airport. At present, all traffi c must use White Street, a
predominantly residenƟ al street.
Potential Impacts This new road would relieve traffi c from White Street and
other local streets. Care will need to be taken to ensure traffi c
does not increase on Kirby Road.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
2-69
Additional Info The design of this new roadway is under review as the
Burlington InternaƟ onal Airport undertakes its noise
miƟ gaƟ on and reuse plan. Final designs of the roadway will
need to consider both impacts on the adjacent neighborhood
as well as effi cient use of limited land adjacent to the Airport.
Completed Studies Airport Drive / Airport Parkway Improvements Scoping Study
(2005)
6. Exit 12B Interchange
Summary Analysis and possible construcƟ on of a new interchange in
the vicinity of Hinesburg Road / I-89.
Purpose To provide relief from the exisƟ ng local road network east
of Exit 14, to serve anƟ cipated growth in enplanements
at the Burlington InternaƟ onal Airport, to serve business
development in the eastern porƟ on of the City, to relieve
congesƟ on from Exists 14 and 12, and to serve the future City
Center.
Potential Impacts This interchange would have a substanƟ al impact on general
traffi c fl ows and pedestrian and bicycle traffi c in the area
(increasing in some areas, decreasing in others). It will also
likely support business development in the area on areas that
are presently parƟ ally developed. A full Environmental Impact
Statement and idenƟ fi caƟ on of potenƟ al funding sources will
be required before a interchange is constructed.
Completed Studies Interstate Access Analysis (2010)
I-89 Exit 12B Financing OpƟ ons Study (2009)
I-89 Exit 12B Alignment Study (2009)
I-89 Urban TransportaƟ on Improvements (2003)
Ground Access Study of the Burlington InternaƟ onal Airport
(2002)
I-89 Exit 13 Access Improvements (1999)
ChiƩ enden County 1-89 Corridor Study (1997)
I-89 / Hinesburg Road Northbound Off -Ramp (1996)
Interchange Feasibility Studies at Four LocaƟ ons in the CC-
MPO Area (1987)
7. Swift Street Extension to Hinesburg Road
Summary A new connector road to link SwiŌ Street Extension to
Hinesburg Road. This connector has long been idenƟ fi ed as
an important east-west connector, and has been listed in
several Comprehensive Plans of the City and on the Offi cial
Map since its fi rst adopƟ on.
Purpose The approval of the substanƟ al number of homes at the
Village at Dorset Park was qualifi ed on having a safely designed
second access; to provide greater east-west connecƟ vity for
City residents; to provide beƩ er emergency vehicle access
for the City, and to reduce congesƟ on on exisƟ ng and
overburdened intersecƟ ons.
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Potential Impacts This new connector road could increase traffi c on SwiŌ Street
and create an addiƟ onal crossing challenge for wildlife. Care
will need to be taken to develop a road connecƟ on that meets
the stated purposes while protecƟ ng neighborhood character
and limiƟ ng impact on wildlife.
Completed Studies Dorset Street Corridor Plan (2007)
South Burlington Planned East-West Roads Analysis (2001)
8. White Street / Midas Drive Intersection Improvements
Summary Create a proper four-way intersecƟ on at this important link
between Williston Road, City Center and the Chamberlin
neighborhood. The project would involve acquisiƟ on of the
property presently occupied by Accent Travel.
Purpose To improve pedestrian and vehicular safety and fl ow at this
important intersecƟ on, and to provide a safe entrance to the
future City Center road network.
Potential Impacts The project will involve acquisiƟ on of a privately-held
property. In addiƟ on, care will need to be taken to ensure that
pedestrian and bicycle needs are met at this site.
Completed Studies Market Street Improvements Environmental Assessment
(2010). US 2 Corridor TransportaƟ on Management Plan
(2007) . Garden Street Project Defi niƟ on Report (2015)
9. Spear Street / Swift Street Intersection Improvements
Summary Complete improvements to the SwiŌ -Spear intersecƟ on.
Purpose To improve pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular safety at this
intersecƟ on.
Potential Impacts Some realignment of this off set intersecƟ on would be
needed. Possible acquisiƟ on of private land may be needed
for some alternaƟ ves.
Completed Studies Spear Street Corridor Study (2004)
10. Airport Parkway / Lime Kiln Road Intersection Improvements
Summary Complete improvements to the Airport Parkway / Lime Kiln
Road / Shamrock Road / Ethan Allen Drive intersecƟ on.
Purpose To improve pedestrian and vehicular safety at this
intersecƟ on.
Potential Impacts Some realignment of this off set intersecƟ on would be
needed. Possible acquisiƟ on of private land may be needed
for some alternaƟ ves.
Completed Studies Road Safety Audit Review- Airport Parkway/Lime Kiln
IntersecƟ on (2006)
11. Vale Drive Extension
Summary Extend Vale Drive to SwiŌ Street commensurate with future
development.
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Purpose To provide a neighborhood-scale street network to serve
exisƟ ng and future development and to allow for proper
transportaƟ on land use planning by off ering route choices
to drivers while reducing congesƟ on at exisƟ ng intersecƟ ons.
Potential Impacts Care will need to be taken to minimize impacts on wetlands
in the area, and to ensure that this road does not become a
short cut for automobiles travelling on Spear Street and/or
Nowland Farm Road.
12. Fayette Drive Extension
Summary Extend FayeƩ e Drive from Queen City Park Road to BartleƩ
Bay Road.
Purpose To provide a secondary route parallel to US Route 7, service
local businesses and homes, and providing a more pedestrian
and bicycle-friendly environment for travel.
Potential Impacts Care will need to be taken in the design of the road system
to limit speed through this wide roadway, unƟ l such Ɵ me as
more development and on-road parking become present.
13. Tilley Drive Extension
Summary Extend Tilley Drive to Community Drive.
Purpose To provide a connecƟ on between Hinesburg Road and
Community Drive / Kimball Ave. This road would allow
drivers to avoid residenƟ al areas and provide much more
direct access for travelers between those two locaƟ ons. A
recreaƟ on path connecƟ on was completed along the same
connecƟ on in 2009.
Potential Impacts The proposed crossing area contains wetlands and potenƟ al
archeological resources. In addiƟ on, addiƟ onal traffi c control
may be needed at the intersecƟ ons of Tilley Drive / Hinesburg
Road and Community Drive / Kimball Avenue.
14. Generation Drive
Summary A new road that would connect Tilley Drive to Kimball
Avenue.
Purpose To provide a connecƟ on between Hinesburg Road and
Kimball Avenue. This road would avoid residenƟ al areas and
provide much more direct access for travelers between those
two locaƟ ons. It would serve a future Exit 12B. It would also
provide opportuniƟ es for development along this new road.
Potential Impacts Traffi c control may be needed at the intersecƟ ons of Tilley
Drive / Hinesburg Road and Community Drive / Kimball
Avenue.
15. North Jeff erson Road Extension
Summary Extend North Jeff erson Road to Nowland Farm Road
alongside future development.
Purpose To provide a neighborhood-scale street network to serve
exisƟ ng and future development.
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Potential Impacts Care will need to be taken to minimize impacts on wetlands
in the area, and to ensure that this road does not become a
short cut for automobiles travelling on Spear Street and/or
Nowland Farm Road.
16. New Roadway North of Williston Road, and connections to US 2
Summary Plan for future roadway to parallel Williston Road from
Patchen Road to the vicinity of the Dorset Street intersecƟ on
and roadway connecƟ ons at regular intervals to Williston
Road.
Purpose To provide a secondary access to the mixed use development
along the north side of Williston Road, provide greater
pedestrian and vehicular access for local residents, reducing
congesƟ on while improving safety along Williston Road, and
potenƟ ally providing addiƟ onal development opportunity.
Potential Impacts The development of this road should be done in conjuncƟ on
with improvements to Williston Road (such as eliminaƟ ng
curb cuts and improving pedestrian crossings) and any
private development projects.
Completed Studies US 2 Corridor TransportaƟ on Management Plan (2007); Wil-
liston Road Network Study (2015 and ongoing)
17. Sadie Lane Extension
Summary Create a new road parallel to Dorset Street south of Cider
Mill Road.
Purpose To provide a neighborhood-scale street network to serve
exisƟ ng and future development.
Potential Impacts Care will need to be taken to minimize impacts on wetlands
in the area, and to ensure that this road is compaƟ ble with
exisƟ ng development in the area.
18. US 2 / Williston Road Corridor Improvements
Summary Implement a series of recommended improvements to US
2 (Williston Road) throughout the City of South Burlington,
including capacity, access management, safety, transit ser-
vice, intersecƟ on improvements, turning lanes, streetscape,
pedestrian, and bicycle infrastructure, signalizaƟ on adjust-
ments.
Purpose To enhance the carrying capacity for all users along Williston
Road and improve the appearance and funcƟ onality of the
gateway to City Center and the regional for all users.
Potential Impacts The scale of the potenƟ al improvements vary and will need
to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Completed Studies US 2 Corridor TransportaƟ on Management Plan (2007);
Williston Road Network Study (2015 and ongoing), Garden
Street Project Defi niƟ on (2015)
19. New City Park/Eldridge Street Connector
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Summary Acquire land for a new City park and create a road connecƟ on
between Eldridge Street and Old Farm Road.
Purpose The new road would serve to create a link between the
historic Old Farm Road and new neighborhoods to the
southwest.
Potential Impacts Steep slopes will need to be miƟ gated for in the construcƟ on
of this road. No road is likely needed unƟ l and unless
addiƟ onal development takes place along Old Farm Road.
20. Old Cross Road / Cider Mill Drive Extension to Hinesburg Road
Summary Reserve land for a possible future street connecƟ on, with
no plan for immediate construcƟ on from Old Cross Road;
consider new roadway from Cider Mill Drive to intersecƟ on
of Van Sicklen Road.
Purpose To reserve land for the possible connecƟ on from the end of
Old Cross Road to Hinesburg Road and to connect Cider Mill
Drive to Van Sicklen Road.
Potential Impacts Wildlife crossings and not having this connecƟ on serving as a
cut-through should be carefully examined.
21. Community Drive / Kimball Avenue Intersections
Summary Enhancements to the two intersecƟ ons of Community Drive
/ Kimball Avenue through signals and/or roundabouts.
Purpose To accommodate the anƟ cipated future mulƟ modal
transportaƟ on needs associated with planned development
in the area and road network connecƟ vity in the area.
Potential Impacts These intersecƟ ons should be considered in the context of
development and transportaƟ on needs in the surrounding
area.
22. Kimball Ave to Williston Road Connection
Summary Plan for future roadway between Kimball Avenue and
Williston Road, west of Shunpike Road
Purpose To provide addiƟ onal non-residenƟ al connecƟ vity between
the two parallel streets of Kimball Avenue and Williston Road
Potential Impacts Future impacts of traffi c condiƟ ons should be carefully
examined.
Completed Studies US 2 Corridor TransportaƟ on Management Plan (2007)
23. Quarry Hill Road to Williston Road Connection
Summary Plan for future connecƟ on between Quarry Hill Road and
Williston Road.
Purpose To provide secondary access between Quarry Hill Road and
the housing and other faciliƟ es located there and Williston
Road.
Potential Impacts Future impacts of traffi c condiƟ ons at Quarry Hill Road and
Spear Street should be carefully examined.
Completed Studies US 2 Corridor TransportaƟ on Management Plan (2007);
Williston Road Network Study (2015 and ongoing)
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B. Public Utilities
The quality and location of public utilities quite often determines
the intensity and location of future development. The high costs of
installing and maintaining public utilities warrant careful advance
planning. The benefi ts and cost of public utilities are, in many cases, not
reasonably or logically related to municipal boundary lines. Numerous
areas of overlapping and/or confl icting jurisdictional authority exist.
Regionalization may be the most cost eff ective method of providing such
services.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to public utilities in the City include:
✦Solid waste management and recycling remain an ongoing challenge – and
opportunity – for the community.
✦Telecommunications infrastructure will continue to evolve and provide new
economic development opportunities in the community.
INVENTORY
Solid Waste. South Burlington is a member of the Chittenden County Solid Waste
District (CSWD). CSWD is comprised of 18 member municipalities and was formed
in 1987 to collectively provide for the effi cient, economical, and environmentally
sound management of solid waste generated within its member municipalities. In
addition to its charter, CSWD has adopted a Waste Management Ordinance, Solid
Waste Management Fee Ordinance, and Regulations for the Collection and Recycling
of Solid Waste in the Chittenden Solid Waste District. Th ese four articles comprise the
district’s governing documents. Recycling is mandatory within the district.
Th e passage of Vermont’s Act 78 in 1987, as well as federal regulations developed by the
Environmental Protection Agency, required the closing of unlined landfi lls. CSWD
opened the fi rst publicly-owned, regional, double-lined landfi ll in the state in 1992 in
Williston. Th is landfi ll was an interim, short-term landfi ll intended to bridge the gap
between the existing unlined landfi lls used by many members and the planned long-
term regional lined landfi ll. South Burlington closed its municipally-owned, unlined
landfi ll within two months of the opening of CSWD’s interim regional landfi ll. Th e
interim landfi ll reached capacity and closed in August 1995. Since the closing of the
interim landfi ll, solid waste destined for disposal has either been delivered to one of
two transfer stations operating within the district or directly hauled to lined landfi lls
located outside of the district.
Th e siting of a long-term regional landfi ll has been a priority of CSWD since 1989.
It is widely recognized that a local, publicly-owned, long-term disposal option is an
essential component of the district’s comprehensive solid waste management system.
CSWD identifi ed a site located on Redmond Road in Williston for its proposed
regional landfi ll as a result of a siting process that utilized extensive public participation.
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In 1992, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a purchase of the selected
site, CSWD formally initiated eminent domain procedures to acquire the site and
became the property owner in 2009. A 2012 Post-Closure Landfi ll permit has been
issued and the City is operating under its terms.
CSWD currently operates a drop-off center at the City’s former landfi ll site on
Patchen Road. Th e drop-off center accepts solid waste, recyclables and special wastes
such as tires, scrap metal, leaves and brush. Curbside pick-up of trash and recyclables
is available from private haulers.
New statewide requirements for mandatory composting are being progressively
deployed through 2020. Th e City should continue to update its operations as well as
its regulations related to solid waste disposal facilities.
Telecommunications. South Burlington residents and businesses have access to
the telecommunications services (land line telephone, cell phone, cable television,
and broadband internet) from various providers. Aff ordable and convenient access to
state-of-the-art telecommunications services is an important component of the City’s
quality of life, economic development strategy and educational opportunities.
Natural Gas. Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. (VGS) supplies natural gas to the City. Th e
natural gas is imported from Canada via the TransCanada Pipeline, entering Vermont
Gas Systems’ main pipeline at the border in Highgate. Th e company has a network
of more than 650 miles of underground transmission and distribution lines in its
Vermont service area. Natural gas has been the primary home heating fuel for new
development since natural gas became available in South Burlington in the 1960s.
Electricity. Green Mountain Power Company supplies electrical power to South
Burlington through a network of transmission lines, substations and distribution
lines. It has two 34.5 kV sub-transmission corridors in the City.
Vermont Electric Power (VELCO) has a 115 kV transmission line that extends south
along the railroad tracks from Burlington to Shelburne, then turns east to head toward
Williston. VELCO’s Queen City substation is also located in South Burlington off
Central Avenue.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Telecommunications. Private utilities that provide telecommunications
services should off er state-of-the-art technologies. Given the rate of change
in the telecommunications sector, this will require continuous upgrades to
telecommunications infrastructure. As with infrastructure for other basic services,
telecommunications lines, antennas and towers have become part of the City’s built
environment. Th e siting of telecommunications infrastructure should consider issues
of aesthetics, safety and effi ciency. Th e use of existing structures, sites and utility
corridors is preferred over new development.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Natural Gas. Better coordination between the City and VGS has been achieved
by exchanging future construction plans. Th rough improved communications,
construction projects may be implemented at lower costs, with less earth disturbance,
and fewer disruptions. In addition, the review of new private development projects
should include the eff ects of any necessary gas main extensions.
Electricity. It has been recognized for a number of years that demand is growing and
increased electric system reliability is required in the greater Burlington metropolitan
area. Th e utilities have been taking action to address the reliability and supply issues.
Two recent transmission line projects upgraded the infrastructure serving Chittenden
County located South Burlington.
✦Th e Northwest Reliability Project included the replacement of approximately
27 miles of 34.5 kV electric lines between New Haven and South Burlington
with a new 115 kV line. In addition, a number of substations were upgraded,
including the Queen City substation.
✦Th e East Avenue Loop and supporting projects included various upgrades in
South Burlington. A 34.5 kilovolt (kV) sub-transmission line was installed
from the McNeil generating plant to the VELCO substation at East Avenue,
near Centennial Field. Between the Essex substation in northern Williston
and the East Avenue substation in Burlington, two 115 kV transmission lines
on single poles replaced a single line located on double poles.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Solid waste management is and will remain a challenging issue for all communities.
As technologies improve, opportunities for increased diversion of materials from the
waste stream will become economically viable. CSWD presently off ers free recycling
of most plastics, paper, glass, and metals. Drop-off composting is also provided free
of charge; a State of Vermont requirement for composting begins to phase in in 2015.
Future trends related to gas and electricity are closely tied to energy needs and
supply in the City and elsewhere. See the Energy component of the Plan under Grey
Infrastructure for details.
PUBLIC UTILITIES STRATEGIES
Strategy 50. Engage in discussions with major communications services providers to ensure that South
Burlington is on the leading edge of broadband connectivity throughout the City and
particularly in our business and commercial centers. Look for opportunities to increase
redundancy and choice among service providers.
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C. Energy
Energy is a major factor in the cost of living and the cost of doing
business in the City of South Burlington. Our energy use practices require
substantial imports of energy, which expose us to signifi cant economic
and geopolitical risks. Further, the cost of imported energy could more
appropriately be invested in the local and US economy. Our heavy
reliance on fossil based fuels and the CO2 it creates are contributing to
global climate change. All of these reasons make it important to look
for ways to conserve energy and to support local sources of renewable
energy.
At the municipal level there are many actions that can be taken: eff ective
land use planning and regulation, building codes, programs to promote
conservation and effi ciency and improved transportation systems
can further eff orts to create clean, reliable, economical and energy
effi cient systems. In addition, by working with larger government bodies
additional progress can be made on transportation issues.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to energy identifi ed in this plan include:
✦Transportation is the leading source of energy consumption in South
Burlington, followed by commercial and residential sector fuels and electricity.
✦In 2008, the City Council signed on a challenge with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce municipal energy consumption by 10 %.
INVENTORY
Energy Use. In 2008, South Burlington residents formed a new volunteer energy
committee to address energy consumption and production in the community. Th e
formation of this committee came shortly after the City Council signed on to the
Environmental Protection Agency’s 10% Municipal Energy Challenge. In 2009,
South Burlington completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the entire City.
Th is study identifi ed the largest uses of energy and sources of CO2 in the City. Th e
major categories of use are here ordered from highest to lowest:
✦Transportation
✦Commercial Electrical Usage and Heating
✦Residential Heating & Electrical Usage
✦Municipal
Transportation includes two components: the amount of miles travelled and the
effi ciency of the vehicles. Both of these are diffi cult for a single city alone to change.
However by working together with larger government bodies progress can be made.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Collectively, the heating and electrical use of residences and commercial buildings
is very signifi cant. Th e design and construction of buildings strongly infl uences the
amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, as well as the amount of electricity
needed for lighting. Site planning such as locating buildings to maximize southern
exposures and providing windbreaks can reduce the amount energy required to light,
heat and cool structures. Th e design and location of commercial development and
housing subdivisions, orientation of buildings, construction methods, placement and
type of windows, and type and location of landscaping can have a signifi cant impact
on energy use.
Energy Use by City Government. Th e City’s primary energy use consists of
electricity, natural gas and motor fuel. Th e City’s largest energy expenditure is for
operation of the sewage treatment facilities. In the spring of 2010, the City completed
energy audits of each of its municipal buildings. Th is information is being used to
target investments in renovations to provide energy and dollar savings.
Transportation Energy Conservation and Effi ciency. Recognizing that
transportation is the largest use of energy in South Burlington, transportation energy
effi ciency and conservation is important. While South Burlington will continue to
be a transportation hub due to its role as part of Vermont’s largest metropolitan area
and the presence of major highway and interstate corridors, work should continue to
provide alternatives to single-occupancy commuter traffi c. In addition, much can be
done to reduce locally generated traffi c volumes and residents’ reliance on personal
automobiles.
Energy Supply. Transportation in the City is primarily fueled by gasoline and diesel
from hundreds of independent dealers and suppliers. Natural gas provides the majority
of heating energy and it is provided by Vermont Gas Systems (VGS). Heating oil is
the next largest, although a much smaller, source of heating energy and is supplied
by many independent suppliers. Electricity throughout the City is supplied by Green
Mountain Power (GMP).
Both GMP and VGS indicate that they have suffi cient capacity to adequately serve
growth in the City over the life of this plan, although some areas of the City are
being geographically targeted for electrical load reductions due to limited distribution
capacity. Both companies off er energy conservation programs and incentives to both
businesses and residences.
Th ere are no conventional power plants located in South Burlington. In 2010, however,
several applications for small- and mid-sized solar power generation were submitted
to the Vermont Public Service Board for review and approval. Following this, in 2011
the largest solar array in Vermont (at the time) opened in the City, with an estimated
output nearing two megawatts annually. Other similarly sized arrays would follow:
Claire Solar, located on Hinesburg Road, and a facility on the Air National Guard
property at the Burlington International Airport. Medium sized arrays can be found
on Spear Street (next to the National Forest Service Building), behind Cairns arena at
Veterans Memorial Park, on top of the Airport parking garage, and integrated within
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
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the South Village development on Spear Street. Th ere are additional, smaller rooftop
or ground-mounted solar panels scattered throughout the City.
Small-scale wind energy in South Burlington is limited by the high density of
development and unfavorable climatic conditions. Solar energy generation provides
greater opportunities for a renewable, alternative power source for City residents and
businesses.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Energy Use. It is now widely recognized that human-caused emissions of greenhouse
gases, largely a direct result of energy consumption, are having a measurable impact on
the earth’s climate. Increases in global temperatures are believed to already be causing
measurable changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, rising
sea levels, and a northward expansion in the range of tropical diseases and pests. Th ese
and other results of climate change have the potential to pose local and worldwide
economic and environmental threats.
Vermont has a Residential Building Energy Code that sets a minimum standard
of effi ciency for new homes and residential additions over 500 square feet and
Commercial Building Energy Standards for all commercial buildings and residential
buildings of four or more stories. Th e City could require all new construction to be
more energy effi cient through adoption of local building codes. South Burlington’s
land use regulations could mandate or off er incentives for increased energy effi ciency.
While eff orts to improve new construction are very important, it is even more
important to address the existing built environment. While the community may add
two percent of new space through growth each year, 98 % of the building stock the
following year will be preexisting structures. Programs that specifi cally target effi ciency
improvements in existing commercial and residential structures must be put in place.
Energy savings can be realized by retrofi tting existing buildings with insulation and
air sealing, more effi cient doors and windows, more effi cient lights, more effi cient
mechanical systems and more effi cient appliances.
Effi ciency Vermont has programs and resources to help customers reduce their
monthly electric bills, including information about rebates and tax incentives
available for energy-saving purchases. Income-eligible households can participate in
the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as the Fuel Assistance Program, off ered
by the Champlain Valley Offi ce of Economic Opportunity. Vermont Gas Systems also
sponsors effi ciency programs to assist their customers with energy conservation.
South Burlington can also promote reduced transportation energy use through the
development of alternative transportation modes and through appropriate land use
planning. For example, the City is attempting to become a more pedestrian-oriented
city. Th e development of pedestrian and bicycle paths, greenways and other trails
provide alternative ways of accessing the City’s commercial, residential and recreation
areas. With the development of City Center, the City is taking steps to make transit
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
use easier. Th e City Center, with its mix of commercial and residential uses, will also
promote walking and therefore reduce reliance on personal automobiles.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
South Burlington is a very desirable place to live and to grow a business and it is
expected that growth will continue at its historical pace as discussed in the Social
Infrastructure chapter of this plan. Th e City needs policies to accommodate this
growth while maintaining and improving the quality of life for its residents and
improving the business climate while working hard to reduce energy related costs and
impacts to the environment.
Many of the topics discussed above and the detailed strategies in the next section
directly address the cost of living and of doing business. More effi cient buildings
translate to lower annual operating costs. Our eff orts to improve transportation
options can reduce the cost of transportation as well as off ering healthy alternatives
to automobiles. Local renewable energy provides clean energy at predictable costs for
decades to come.
ENERGY OBJECTIVES
Objective 23. Achieve a reduction of 20% in carbon dioxide-equivalent
emissions from 2009 levels by 2020 through an increase in
renewable energy production and reductions in energy use in
the following sectors: transportation, commercial/industrial,
residential, municipal/school.
Objective 24. Facilitate and encourage community-based renewable energy
production in locations that do not contradict or interfere with
the City’s open space and resource conservation objectives,
specifi cally as identifi ed in Section 3.2D of this plan.
ENERGY STRATEGIES
Strategy 51. Develop incentives for existing and new buildings to meet or exceed state energy building code,
Energy Star, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Strategy 52. Work with electric utilities and other partners to establish the electric transmission,
distribution, and charging infrastructure to support increased use of electric vehicles at home,
work, park-and-ride locations, and in downtown parking locations.
Strategy 53. Explore the creation of a clean energy assessment district to facilitate residential and
commercial fi nancing of clean energy improvements.
Strategy 54. Promote energy effi ciency through well-designed buildings, siting and landscaping, and
encourage increased demand side management programs and the use of site-specifi c
renewable energy resources.
Strategy 55. Consider energy effi ciency when making upgrades to City utilities and infrastructure such as
water and sewage treatment, street and parking area lighting, and traffi c signals so that the
more effi cient solution is chosen if it is projected to pay back or break even over the lifetime of
said investment.
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Strategy 56. Continually evaluate the minimum levels of street lighting needed for pedestrian and vehicular
safety and security, in the context of energy savings and reduction of light pollution.
Strategy 57. Consider fuel effi ciency when upgrading fl eet vehicles for the City and school system and
maintain vehicles at peak fuel effi ciency.
Strategy 58. Encourage owners and developers to explore the possibility, and feasibility, of cogeneration
and/or district energy in higher-density areas, notably City Center.
Strategy 59. Encourage installations of photovoltaic electric and solar hot water heating for residential and
commercial buildings, and the development of medium-scale photovoltaic electric generating
facilities within the City.
Strategy 60. Seek opportunities to develop photovoltaic electric production on City and school grounds and
building rooftops, where not in confl ict with other goals of this plan.
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D. Resource Extraction
The extraction of resources has historical signifi cance in South Burlington,
with several quarries having operated in the community through the
20th Century. Agricultural activities long dominated the landscape, with
forestry playing a more minor role. At least one of the City’s quarries,
located near I-89 towards the Williston town line, owes its origins to the
construction of the Interstate.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to resource extraction include:
✦Sustainable resource extraction in the context of the development and natural
resource and conservation goals of the City.
INVENTORY
Mineral Extraction. South Burlington is currently home to two quarries:
✦An operating quarry immediately south of I-89, near the Meadowlands
Business Park. Its only access is through the Town of Williston and so both
communities are working cooperatively on its continued use. Th is quarry
submitted an application for continued and expanded use in 2015.
✦A quarry at the south end of the airport. Th is quarry is not presently active.
✦Other former quarries in the City are no longer active and have been closed.
Forestry. South Burlington has limited blocks of contiguous forests. Due to this,
combined with the land value and development patterns in the City, active commercial
forestry is generally not economically viable and has been extremely limited. Th e City
has, however, for the past several years, collaborated with the University of Vermont
to tap several sugar maple trees in the City-owned Wheeler Nature Park. Pursuant to
VSA 24 Chapter 117, accepted silviculture practices are exempt from local zoning.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Mineral Extraction. Given the City’s development and conservation patterns,
quarrying operations require careful management as existing quarries are relatively
close to the interstate, developed areas and natural resource conservation areas. Access
to the quarry nearest I-89 in the Town of Williston is appropriate as the City’s road
network is not designed for such operations.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
While limited amounts of resource extraction are expected to continue, it is not
expected that new quarries or large scale forestry operations will be established in the
City.
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2.4. Blue Infrastructure
Water fl ows throughout the City of South Burlington, creating a “blue”
network throughout the community. Similar to the network of roads and
utility lines that make up the City’s “grey” infrastructure, the natural and
constructed “blue” elements provide a network that sustains human and
wildlife populations.
The City’s blue infrastructure includes brooks and ponds, drainage ways,
stormwater facilities, groundwater resources, potable water pipes and
facilities, and wastewater treatment pipes and facilities. The natural and
constructed elements of this system are interdependent and linked to
the City’s two major water resources - Lake Champlain and the Winooski
River. Eff ective management and planning for this blue infrastructure
can maintain and augment the health of the City’s watersheds while
accommodating development and change in the built environment.
Our rivers and lakes can also pose a fl ood risk to our community that needs
to be understood and planned for. This chapter also includes a section on
fl ood hazards and fl ood emergency preparedness and resiliency.
A. Surface and Ground Water Resources
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s surface and groundwater resources identifi ed
in this plan include:
✦Protection of water source protection areas.
✦Conservation of highly functional wetland areas.
✦Rehabilitation of impaired waterways in South Burlington.
✦Understand fl ood hazards and make plans for fl ood emergency preparedness
and resiliency.
INVENTORY
Watersheds. A watershed is the region from which a river or water body receives its
supply of water. Th is generally includes the system of streams, tributaries and wetlands
that feed into the body of water. Seven main watersheds exist within the City of South
Burlington. Th e fl ows from all of the surface and groundwater systems in the City
eventually reach Lake Champlain.
1. Potash Brook Watershed. Th e largest of the City’s watersheds, Potash Brook,
covers 43 % (7.1 square miles) of South Burlington and is the largest drainage
area in the City. Th e Potash Brook has its source within the City limits and
fl ows southwesterly into Lake Champlain. Much of the developed area in
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South Burlington drains to Potash Brook and eventually Lake Champlain.
Along its primary reach, which follows Kennedy Drive and I-189, signifi cant
natural buff er areas have been established. Many of the brook’s tributaries,
however, are located immediately adjacent to developed areas, leading the
brook’s classifi cation as “stormwater-impaired” by the State of Vermont
Department of Environmental Conservation. Th e main reach of the brook is
paralleled by a pedestrian trail system for much of its length.
2. Muddy Brook Watershed. Th e Muddy Brook fl ows northward to the
Winooski River for approximately 5.7 miles from its headwaters at
Shelburne Pond and forms the City’s eastern boundary with Williston. Th e
larger watershed also incorporates a series of smaller tributaries that drain
into the Pond, some of which have their headwaters in South Burlington.
Muddy Brook is listed as an impaired watershed due to elevated levels of
toxins, nutrients, and temperature. Th is is generally attributed to historic
development and agricultural practices along the banks of the brook. Th e
Winooski Valley Park District manages pedestrian trails and recreation paths
along the Muddy Brook and at Muddy Brook Park at the northern delta
to the brook. Further south, Burlington International Airport maintains a
natural area that is open to the public and accessible from Van Sicklen Road.
3. Bartlett Brook Watershed. Th e Bartlett Brook watershed, which includes
the North Brook, drains the southeastern portion of the City, including
commercial, light industrial, and residential areas. It is listed as impaired due
to stormwater loads. It has also been an area prone to fl ooding, especially
in the residential neighborhood that bears its name. Th e City enacted a
special overlay zoning district in the 1980s to begin to address the fl ooding
issues. More recently, in 2009, the City established this area as a stormwater
management overlay district, requiring all larger-scale development to model
rainwater runoff and make use of low impact development techniques.
4. Centennial Brook Watershed. Centennial Brook is located primarily within
the City of Burlington’s limits, but has its headwaters in South Burlington’s
Chamberlin neighborhood. Large portions of Centennial Brook are located
within conserved lands: the City-owned DeGraff e natural area and the
UVM-owned Centennial Woods. In addition, a substantial portion of the
South Burlington portion of the watershed is located on a large undeveloped
parcel adjacent to I-89. Centennial Brook also drains the developed areas
along Williston Road. Th e brook is classifi ed as impaired due to stormwater
runoff from development and impervious surfaces located beyond the buff er
areas.
5. Englesby Brook Watershed. Th e Englesby Brook watershed covers a small
portion of South Burlington located north of I-189 and east of Shelburne
Street. Predominantly located in the City of Burlington, it is impaired due
to excessive stormwater originating from both communities. Th e South
Burlington portion includes residential and commercial properties.
6. Winooski River Watershed. Forming the northern border of South
Burlington, the Winooski River and its watershed brings South Burlington
into partnership with many other communities. Th e area of the City north
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of the Burlington International Airport drains directly into this river, and
includes the Country Club Estates neighborhood, an active farm, light
industry, and a mix of residential and commercial uses along Lime Kiln Road.
A portion of the Ethan Allan industrial park is located immediately adjacent
to the 100-year fl oodplain.
7. Lake Champlain Watershed. A small portion of the City drains its water
directly into Lake Champlain. Th is includes Red Rocks Park, the Queen
City Park neighborhood, and properties west of the railroad tracks that travel
parallel to Shelburne Road. Impervious surfaces are a potential impairment
problem in the Queen City Park neighborhood; otherwise, the land is
relatively undeveloped and natural in this area.
Rivers and Streams. Th e City’s primary rivers and streams include the Winooski
River, Muddy Brook, Potash Brook, Bartlett Brook, and Centennial Brook. South
Burlington also has a network of smaller streams that includes tributaries to Lake
Champlain, as well as streams that drain to Shelburne Pond.
Th e Winooski River forms the northern boundary of the City. Th roughout its lower
reaches, it is tapped for its ability to produce electric power. Communities along the
river use it to receive treated sewage. Th e agricultural soils of its fl oodplain are still
important in our regional economy. Th e lower Winooski retains much of the feeling
of a natural river. Scenic vistas abound from its banks and spectacular gorges off er
access to the drama of nature and to the geologic past. Two parks line the river in
South Burlington: a river access point at the confl uence of the Muddy Brook along
National Guard Road, and Lime Kiln Park, an overlook and natural area adjacent to
the Lime Kiln Bridge.
Floodplains. Floodplains are those areas that are under water during periods of high
fl ow or high lake level. For regulatory purposes the fl oodplain is defi ned consistently
with the federal defi nition of “area of special fl ood hazard” and the Floodway – as
identifi ed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Th e Special Flood Hazard Area is the
area subject to a 1% or greater chance of fl ooding in any year. While these lands are
expected to fl ood on average once every 100 years, fl oods can and do occur more
frequently. Th e Floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the
adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base fl ood without
cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot at any point.
Th e fl oodway is the area where the fastest moving and most destructive fl oodwaters
will fl ow during the 100-year fl ood. Th us, while all land within the fl oodplain will be
wet during a 100-year fl ood, the most damage to property and loss of life will occur
in the fl oodway.
River Corridors. River corridors include the area around and adjacent to the
present day river channel where fl uvial erosion, channel shape change, and channel
meandering are most likely to occur. River corridor widths are calculated to represent
the narrowest section of riparian land required to contain the equilibrium condition
width of the channel. Data collected as part of a geomorphic assessment are used
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in calculating river corridor widths where available. River corridors are specifi cally
defi ned by the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
Fluvial Erosion Hazard Zones. While some fl ood losses are caused by inundation
(i.e. waters rise, fi ll, and damage low-lying structures), most fl ood losses in Vermont
are caused by “fl uvial erosion”. Fluvial erosion is caused by rivers and streams, and can
range from gradual stream bank erosion to catastrophic channel enlargement, bank
failure, and change in course, due to naturally occurring stream channel adjustments.
Th e areas most subject to this type of erosion are called “Fluvial Erosion Hazard Areas
(FEH)” and these areas have been identifi ed and mapped in accordance with accepted
state fl uvial geomorphic assessment and mapping protocols. A FEH area includes
the stream and the land adjacent to the stream. It identifi es the area where stream
processes can occur to enable the river to re-establish and maintain stable conditions
over time. Th e area boundaries also attempt to capture the lands most vulnerable
to fl uvial erosion in the near term, as well as the area needed by a river to maintain
equilibrium.
How Fluvial Erosion Occurs:
Every river has a probable form, refl ecting its complex interaction of many
factors, including inputs from its watershed (water, sediment, ice, woody
debris) as well as the physiographic setting (geology, soils, vegetation, valley
type). When all the elements are in balance, a river is said to be in “dynamic
equilibrium.” A river in equilibrium can carry its load of water, sediment,
and debris, even during high fl ows, without dramatic changes in the width,
depth, or length (slope). A dramatic change in any of these elements will tilt
the balance and lead to changes (or adjustment) as a river attempts to move
back toward an equilibrium condition. Th is adjustment is often expressed as
fl uvial erosion, or major changes in channel dimension and location, as a river
attempts to regain equilibrium.
One common mode of channel adjustment seen throughout Vermont is the
response of a river to straightening. When a river is straightened, the slope of
the channel is increased. As a result, the river has more power, and a greater
ability to carry sediment, and begins to incise, eroding the stream bed. Th e
incision leads to a situation where the river becomes disconnected from its
fl oodplain. Without fl oodplain access, which serves the essential purposes of
slowing fl oodwaters and storing sediment, stream banks are subjected to the
full power of fl ood fl ows, leading to extensive fl uvial erosion. If left alone, the
river will eventually erode its banks enough that it can lengthen its channel,
regain a more stable slope, and develop a new fl oodplain at a lower elevation.
Lake Champlain. South Burlington has 2.3 miles of frontage along Lake Champlain,
a unique scenic and recreational resource that is widely used by both residents and
visitors nearly year-round. Th e lake is the City’s potable water supply through the
Champlain Water District and some private water intakes.
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Th e lakeshore is comprised of a mix of natural parkland (Red Rocks Park), residential
neighborhoods (Queen City Park and Bartlett Bay), stream outfl ows, and one large
landholding known as Allenwood. While there are great pressures for private and public
access to the lake, a combination of topography and physical constraints, historic land
ownership and development patterns, and transportation corridors (particularly the
presence of the rail line) have limited the accessibility and suitability of some of the
shoreline for development. As a result, a signifi cant portion of South Burlington’s lake
frontage remains largely undeveloped. Red Rocks Park remains the only public access
point to the lake, however, and there are no public boat ramps in the community.
Wetlands. Wetlands play an important role in maintaining the quality of surface
and groundwater in South Burlington. Class II and Class III wetlands are found
throughout the community. Wetlands serve as stormwater storage and control the
fl ow of streams, are natural fi lters for sediments and surface runoff contaminants,
and provide habitat that supports many species of plants and animals including game
fi sh in Lake Champlain and various waterfowl. Th ey are typically classifi ed by their
functions and values.
Wetlands are a critical part of open space preservation and cannot be replaced once
they have been disturbed. Disturbance of wetlands can include seemingly harmless
practices such as mowing, the use of fertilizers, and the use of pesticides. Swamps,
bogs, and marshes are important ecological systems and resources. At every level
of government, wetlands are being recognized for the values they contribute. Even
small, incremental reduction of minor wetlands can cause cumulative damage to the
wetland’s ability to both fi lter pollution and mitigate storm and fl ooding events.
Th ere are several large wetland systems within the City including those associated with
Potash Brook, Muddy Brook and the Winooski River. Th ere are also extensive wetland
systems between Spear Street and Dorset Street and in the southeast corner of the City
near Hinesburg Road. It should be noted that there may be additional wetlands that
are not currently mapped.
Aquifers & Wells. Groundwater, the water that fi lters into the ground and travels
slowly through the pores of soil and cracks of rock, is a precious natural resource.
Groundwater is a source of potable water for some City residents. Several homes in
the Southeast Quadrant get their water from private wells. In the Queen City Park
neighborhood, approximately 80 homes are connected to the Fire District #1 water
supply, which is fed by a well at the end of Pavilion Avenue.
Contamination of groundwater can pose health issues or other water quality problems.
Materials such as road salt, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and fertilizer are typical of the
water-soluble toxins that can pollute aquifers. Th e State of Vermont maps and monitors
wells and aquifer recharge areas. Th ere is a required buff er from this infrastructure,
particularly with respect to wastewater disposal systems.
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ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Stream Channels and Riparian Buff ers. Flowing water is a critical aspect of the
City’s character and environmental quality. Th ese rivers serve as habitat for fi sh and
wildlife, as natural fl ood control features, and as an attractive environment in which
to live. Erosion control and stormwater management are important measures to
restore and protect these resources. Stream channels are naturally dynamic systems
that erode and deposit sediments in predictable patterns based on the velocity and
volume carried by the stream. Alterations to rivers, streams and tributaries can often
have unexpected downstream eff ects. Upstream activities that change the erosion/
deposition balance will change downstream dynamics. Th is includes physical changes
like straightening, rip-rapping banks, and dredging sediment, as well as changes in
land use and the creation of additional impervious area. Uncontrolled stormwater
runoff from impervious areas can increase stream fl ows during storm events and cause
stream bank erosion.
Th e City presently has natural buff er requirements around perennial streams and
brooks. Th is strategy has proven somewhat eff ective, but does not take into account
changes in stream course over time. Th e City and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
have completed geomorphologic assessments of the City’s various stream segments,
and now that the data collection is completed, there is an opportunity to develop
more advanced stream channel protection standards or other strategies in response
to the identifi ed risk. Th e City has also established Vermont’s fi rst stormwater utility.
Th e utility manages stormwater in a cost eff ective way for all property owners in South
Burlington and undertakes large-scale stormwater treatment and fl ow control projects
to reduce the impact that existing impervious area is having on streams. Stormwater
management is discussed in more detail in the following section.
Flood Resiliency. Th e Vermont State Hazard Mitigation Plan (2013) identifi es
fl ooding as the most common natural hazard event in Vermont and the damages from
fl ooding are due to inundation and fl uvial erosion. As of July 1, 2014 municipal
plans are required to include a fl ood resiliency goal and element. Th e requirements
include identifi cation of fl ood hazard and fl uvial erosion hazard areas; designates those
areas to be protected, including fl oodplains, river corridors, land adjacent to streams,
wetlands, and upland forests, to reduce the risk of fl ood damage to infrastructure
and improved property; and recommends policies and strategies to protect these areas
and mitigate risks. Th is Plan calls for avoiding new development in these areas and
eliminates exacerbation of fl ooding and fl uvial erosion, encourages protection and
restoration of these areas, and plans for fl ood emergency preparedness and response.
Identifi cation of the fl ood and fl uvial erosion hazard areas, and the areas to be protected
were described in this chapter above, and are mapped in this plan. Th e City of South
Burlington All Hazards Mitigation Plan (AHMP) developed in conjunction with the
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (adopted in 2011, planned for
update in 2016) also identifi es the most signifi cant hazards. Th is plan should be
reviewed often to ensure accuracy and that all hazards are being adequately addressed.
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Th e mitigation strategies identifi ed in the most recent All Hazards Mitigation Plan
should all be adopted by reference as strategies in this Plan.
South Burlington protects its fl oodplain through fl ood hazard zoning regulations
which limits the amount of damage by limiting the amount of development and fi ll
in fl oodplains. Th ese development regulations also present opportunities to maintain
natural open spaces and develop needed recreation facilities. Th e largest designated
fl oodplain lies adjacent to the Winooski River. Fluvial Erosion Hazard areas and River
Corridors are partially protected where they overlap with the regulated fl oodplains, but
in many locations in the City these areas are not regulated. By not identifying these
areas in our LDRs, landowners and residents are likely unaware of the risk associated
with fl ooding in these areas.
A key component to achieving fl ood resiliency is a comprehensive approach to
stormwater management that can intercept water that could otherwise concentrate
and cause fl ood damage. See Stormwater section for more information.
Water Quality. Historically, water pollution has been attributed to two primary
sources: point and non-point. Point sources, such as wastewater treatment facilities,
have been upgraded in Vermont over the past three decades to where they are today
much less of an issue than non-point sources, which cannot be identifi ed with any
particular location or outfall. Non-point source pollution is diffi cult to control because
the source of the pollution is activity that occurs throughout a watershed at homes,
parking areas, roads, farms, and businesses rather than at a single point.
Non-point pollution, including stormwater runoff , plays a critical role in the quality
of waterways. Agricultural runoff and pesticide use also falls into this category. Th e
community in the past has explored the possibility of restricting pesticide use. While
overall use of pesticide use is governed solely by the state, the City has enacted a
restrictive policy on the use of both fertilizers and pesticides on City property.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Water quality issues will continue to be a challenge within South Burlington as the
population grows, wildlife is encouraged to be maintained, and stricter standards
for water quality are adopted at the federal, state, and local levels. Water quality in
South Burlington is closely connected to stormwater management, which is further
discussed in the next chapter of this plan.
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B. Stormwater
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s management of stormwater identifi ed in this
plan include:
✦Maintain the stormwater treatment and conveyance systems currently in
place.
✦Repair and replace aging infrastructure.
✦Construct large-scale stormwater improvement projects to remove streams
from the State of Vermont 303(d) list of impaired waters and to reduce the
amount of phosphorus fl owing to Lake Champlain.
✦Maintain compliance with state and federal stormwater permits and assist
residents with stormwater permit compliance.
INVENTORY
Stormwater Runoff . All of South Burlington drains into Lake Champlain. Th e
City of South Burlington contains all or a portion of fi ve streams (Bartlett Brook,
Centennial Brook, Englesby Brook, Munroe Brook and Potash Brook) impaired by
stormwater runoff . Stormwater impaired watersheds cover approximately 61 % of the
City. By the late-1990s, it was widely recognized that unmanaged stormwater was
causing water pollution, erosion, fl ooding and unstable stream banks in areas of South
Burlington and throughout Chittenden County.
Stormwater runoff is generated by rainfall that does not soak into the ground.
Construction of impervious surfaces (roads, rooftops, parking lots, sidewalks, etc.)
increases the amount of stormwater runoff . Th ese increased volumes of runoff will
in turn increase stream fl ows, which results in stream bank erosion and fl ooding.
In addition, undersized or poorly maintained stormwater management systems are
susceptible to failure and can exacerbate problems related to fl ooding and water
quality.
Stormwater management is, for the most part, managed on a property-by-property
basis, with the exception of systems within the roadway and certain larger development
areas such as the Airport or newer residential developments. Th e US Environmental
Protection Agency is in the process of establishing a phosphorus TMDL for Lake
Champlain.
Stormwater Utility. In 2005, the City established the fi rst stormwater utility in
Vermont with the aim of addressing these issues. Th e utility is an effi cient way to
identify and manage stormwater problems, projects, and infrastructure upgrades.
Th e utility provides a stable and adequate source of revenue to complete required
maintenance and manage stormwater related activities. Th e utility employs full-time
staff dedicated to stormwater management and working to develop a comprehensive
stormwater program and plan for needed capital improvements.
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Presently, the City of South Burlington owns and maintains a stormwater system,
separate from the sanitary sewer system. Th e stormwater system includes conveyance
piping, storm drains, culverts, stormwater outfalls and stormwater treatment practices
(e.g. detention ponds, constructed wetlands, hydrodynamic swirl separators, etc.).
Th ere are approximately 196 miles of pipes, ditches, culverts or other means of
stormwater conveyance in South Burlington. In addition, there are over 6,300 storm
drains within the City, approximately 3,200 of which are publicly owned.
City residents and businesses share the costs of, and receive services from, the stormwater
utility. Some of the services provided by the stormwater utility include: evaluation,
maintenance and improvement of drainage infrastructure, culvert evaluation and
replacement, assists residents with state permitting, watershed planning and water
quality sampling. Th e stormwater utility also maintains the City’s compliance with
the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Th e MS4 permit is a
federally mandated permit administered by the Agency of Natural Resources in
Vermont. Th e MS4 permit requires that the City implement six minimum measures
related to stormwater management ranging from public education and outreach to
illicit discharge detection and elimination.
In order to pay for these services, all developed properties in South Burlington are
assessed a stormwater utility user fee. Th is fee appears on City sewer and water bills. Fees
for commercial properties are calculated using a careful analysis of impervious surface
area on properties throughout South Burlington. Th ere is a set fee for single-family
homes, duplexes and triplexes. All other property owners (includes condominium
ownership properties, businesses, institutions, and government) are assessed a fee
based on the actual amount of impervious surface on the property.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Stormwater is slated to be among the key challenges for South Burlington for the
foreseeable future. Federal and state requirements for individual properties - aimed at
system-wide improvements - have begun to be applied. In 2014, the updated federal
MS4 permit was issued, giving the City 20 years to make necessary improvements
to its impaired watersheds. Homeowners throughout South Burlington have worked
eff ectively with the City to leverage federal and state grant funding to aid with these
eff orts and construct treatment systems that will meet present and future needs for
stormwater management.
Th e City has been actively engaged in establishing and maintaining stormwater
systems to better manage public water fl ows. A key strategy employed by the City in
recent years has been to encourage - and in some areas require - on-site stormwater
infi ltration through low impact development (LID) techniques. A challenge of this,
however, is that while some LID techniques support compact development (such as
reduced pavement widths) others may be contradictory (such as leaving large open
areas on properties).
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All improvements to stormwater infrastructure have a dual benefi t of reducing
fl ood risk and increasing fl ood resilience. A key Best Management Practice towards
managing fl oodplains and river corridors is to slow, spread, and infi ltrate runoff . By
reducing the peak volume reaching our rivers, we are reducing potential fl ooding.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
It is expected that Federal and State regulations will continue to apply to an increased
number of smaller properties in South Burlington and throughout the country. In the
short term, these standards will require substantial retrofi ts at signifi cant expense. In
the long term, signifi cant eff ort in the area of $50 million will be required to maintain
infrastructure and stay in compliance with increased federal and State water quality
regulations.
A number of studies have shown that several streams in South Burlington have shown
elevated levels of chloride. Th e State of Vermont Department of Environmental
Conservation is- in 2015- in the process of determining the extent of statewide chloride
issues and working towards draft regulations to address them. South Burlington
will monitor these updates and work towards planning to address requirements as
necessary.
SURFACE WATER, GROUNDWATER, AND STORMWATER OBJECTIVES
Objective 25. Reduce the number and forms of impairments of waterways in
South Burlington by 2033.
Objective 26. Protect and improve watershed, stream, and wetland system
natural processes, specifi cally for stormwater treatment,
riparian and aquatic habitat, and fl oodplain and river corridor
protection.
Objective 27. Include mapped river corridors (fl uvial erosion hazard areas,
fl oodplains, and riparian areas) within designated open space
areas intended for hazard mitigation, resource conservation
and compatible forms of passive outdoor recreation.
Objective 28. Plan for fl ood emergency preparedness and response.
SURFACE WATER, GROUNDWATER, AND STORMWATER STRATEGIES
Strategy 61. Pursue opportunities for acquisition and restoration of open space along year-round streams in
South Burlington and actively enforce against encroachments to protect these resources.
Strategy 62. Review geomorphic assessment results for action items identifi ed and pursue implementation.
Strategy 63. Review fl uvial erosion hazard areas and river corridors and adopt river corridor protection
bylaws and maps.
Strategy 64. Plan culvert replacements that consider both aquatic organism passage and geomorphic
compatibility for any undersized culverts in conjunction with roadway improvements.
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C. Potable Water
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s potable water resources identifi ed in this
plan include:
✦Provision of safe water supply at reasonable costs.
✦Maintenance of aging water supply system.
INVENTORY
Water Distribution System. Th e South Burlington water distribution system
serves most developed land within the City boundaries. Th e City water department
maintains almost 100 miles of distribution pipeline within South Burlington. Th e
water distribution system is depicted on *Map 6.
Th e South Burlington municipal distribution system consists of two service areas:
✦Th e Main Service area includes the west and northern parts of the City.
✦Th e High Service area includes the southeast part of the City.
Most of the City’s residents are supplied water through the distribution system, with
notable exceptions being those in Queen City Park (Fire District #1), some residents
along the lake front (Bartlett Bay area), and some residents in the Southeast Quadrant
whose homes pre-date recent infrastructure extensions. Water distribution lines have
been extended into much of the Southeast Quadrant during the past two decades as
development has occurred.
Maintenance and expansion of the City’s water system occurs in accordance with the
South Burlington Water Department Master Plan, which specifi es the location and
size of future water mains. Th e cost of expansion is borne by those requesting it, while
maintenance costs are paid for by user fees. Water supply plans for new developments
are reviewed to ensure adequate fl ows for fi re protection, and, as a result, residential
and standard commercial use.
Th ree transmission mains (one for the Main Service area and two for the High
Service area) extend from the Champlain Water District water treatment plants.
Th e distribution piping in the City of South Burlington varies and the department
continues its eff orts to replace old, undersized pipes. Th is is important for provision
of reliable and safe drinking water, as well as for improving the quantity and pressure
of water available for fi re suppression. Th e water department also seeks to regularly
upgrade related infrastructure such fi re hydrants, water meters, valves, etc. as needed.
Most recently, remote water meter readers have been installed.
Storage in the Main Service area is provided by the South Burlington West Tanks, a
twin set of 0.5 million gallon welded steel storage tanks located to the north of Allen
Road. Water storage for the High Service area occurs in a 2.1 million gallon tank
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located on Dorset Street, known as the South Burlington East tank. A 2003 planning
study evaluated tank sites and recommended improvements for future water storage
and distribution system expansion, a number of which have since been implemented.
Th is study is regularly assessed in relation to new development and demands on the
infrastructure.
South Burlington Water Department and Champlain Water District. Th e City’s
Water Department was established in 1935 when South Burlington entered into an
agreement with the City of Burlington to extend public water along Shelburne and
Williston Roads. As South Burlington grew, fi re districts were organized to supply
water to the developing neighborhoods. Th e districts have ceased operations and been
consolidated into the South Burlington Water Department except for Fire District #1
(Queen City Park).
Since 1978, the City has contracted with the Champlain Water District (CWD) to
provide management, administration and operational services for the City’s water
distribution system. Th e City Council sets the water rate for South Burlington water
consumers and the Water Department bills customers for water usage, based on meter
readings. Connections to the City water system are covered by municipal ordinance.
CWD, a regional water supplier serving 12 municipal water systems, provides potable
water to the City of South Burlington water distribution system. CWD obtains water
from a deep-water source in Lake Champlain’s Shelburne Bay. A second line was
recently placed into service to provide redundancy and avoid disruptions in supply.
Total water usage for CWD members has declined during the past decade, due largely
to reduced use by large facilities like the Global Foundries (formerly IBM) plant,
ensuring an adequate supply of water for the foreseeable future.
Th e water is treated at the Peter L. Jacob Water Treatment Plant with state of the
art fi ltration, disinfection and corrosion control to provide for safe and high quality
drinking water. Th e treatment facility, located on Queen City Park Road, has a
nominal capacity of 20 million gallons per day. CWD assures the safety of the water
by monitoring its sanitary quality, source quality, disinfectant-by-product quality and
aesthetic quality. CWD also works hard to protect water quality in the Shelburne Bay
watershed through its Watershed Management Plan for Source Protection.
Fire District #1. South Burlington Fire District #1 supplies potable water to
approximately 80 households in Queen City Park. Th e water source is a deep rock
well and the district has an independent storage tank. Fire service to the Queen City
Park area is from a dedicated fi re line served from the South Burlington Main Service
transmission main.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Th e key challenge for services such as water supply is to ensure high quality services
are maintained at reasonable costs to the users. In South Burlington, substantial
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portions of the infrastructure are beginning to reach replacement age, notably in the
neighborhoods built from the 1940s through 1960s.
In older neighborhoods, relatively compact housing has allowed for greater effi ciencies
of costs than in some other portions of the City that have been developed in a less
compact manner.
Expansion of the present system must be completed in a manner that does not decrease
water pressure levels below minimum fi re and residential standards.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Th e availability of municipal water has been a signifi cant factor enabling housing
development, particularly in the SEQ. Facilities planning for both systems has
incorporated and considered both the demand for new housing and the City’s
conservation goals in determining how much capacity is required to serve the long-
term needs in this district, as well as in helping to determine where extensions of
service lines are and are not appropriate.
Th e water system serving the SEQ underwent a major upgrade in 2004-2005, following
a successful bond vote in May 2004. Th e water main on Dorset Street was upgraded
and “looped” through the City right-of-way along Old Cross Road to improve
storage, pressure, and fi re fi ghting capacity. Th e Dorset Street water storage tank was
raised by 35 feet to provide greater water pressure and fi re protection capacity for the
SEQ. Finally, a “twin” water tank was built by the existing Allen Road tank, providing
improved storage, fi re protection and pressure to the service area along Spear Street.
Th is complex project received the 2004 Grand Award for Engineering Excellence from
the Vermont Chapter of the American Council of Consulting Engineers, recognizing
the creative work of the South Burlington Water Department and Forcier Aldrich &
Associates, the project’s engineers.
Th e one remaining water infrastructure item for the SEQ is to secure a water tank site
on a high point in the Southeast Quadrant, intended to serve the City’s 20- to 25-year
pressure and storage needs. Th is should be studied further and added to the Offi cial
Map. Th e City’s infrastructure management plan predicts when water supply systems
will need to be upgraded or replaced. It will remain important to review these plans
against future development trends to ensure the system’s capacity is not overburdened.
Th e City’s water supply ordinance has set aside 50,000 gallons per day for the future
City Center area. It is estimated that upon fi nal building, this will represent only one-
quarter of the overall need. Th e City should continue to work with the Champlain
Water District to assure that suffi cient water supply infrastructure is installed to meet
future needs.
Th e principal challenge for the future will be the maintenance and replacement of the
water supply system.
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D. Wastewater Treatment
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s management of wastewater identifi ed in this
plan include:
✦Provision of safe wastewater treatment supply at reasonable costs.
✦Maintenance of aging collection and pumping system.
INVENTORY
South Burlington is served by two wastewater treatment facilities: Airport Parkway
and Bartlett Bay. Th e service areas for each of the City’s wastewater treatment facilities
are presented on the enclosed map, Sanitary and Water Systems.
Airport Parkway, the City’s largest treatment facility, serves approximately 75 % of
South Burlington households and businesses. Th e Airport Parkway plant discharges
to the Winooski River. Th e Airport Parkway plant was upgraded in 2012, increasing
capacity from 2.3 to 3.3 million gallons per day. As part of this project, the treatment
process was upgraded to maintain or reduce the amount of pollutants discharged
while accommodating increased fl ows. Approval for this upgrade at the state level
included a determination that the City’s City Center, SEQ, and other land use plans
were consistent with state wastewater and growth policies.
While owned by South Burlington, the City has an intermunicipal agreement that
allocates 1.0 million gallons per day of treatment capacity (of the 3.3 million gallons
per day total) to Colchester Fire District #1. Currently, the facility has actual fl ows of
approximately 2.0 million gallons per day. It is anticipated that these upgrades will
meet with needs for City Center and other development in the community for the
foreseeable future.
Th e wastewater facility at Bartlett Bay presently serves about 25 % of South Burlington
households businesses as well as the Magic Hat Brewing Company. Th is facility was
last upgraded in 1999 and has a permitted capacity of 1.25 million gallons per day.
Flows at Bartlett Bay are approximately 0.7 million gallons per day. Th e City is
presently evaluating the diversion of the Eastwoods Area sewer system connected to
the City of Burlington treatment plant, to the Bartlett Bay facility.
Th e wastewater collection system in South Burlington is comprised of a mix of public
and private pump stations that feed a network of public pipes.
Future sewer main construction will be primarily by private developers. Future
main extensions can be allowed beyond the basic service areas only if appropriate
improvements to the existing network are made.
A small number of City homeowners rely on soil-based septic systems to treat
wastewater. Less than fi ve percent of City residents have on-site septic disposal
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systems, a majority of which are located in the Southeast Quadrant and predate recent
extensions of infrastructure to this part of the City.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
At various times, the City has been in a position of signifi cant scarcity of treatment
capacity at one of its wastewater treatments plants. In the late-1990s, new allocations
to the Bartlett Bay facility were only able to be granted upon close scrutiny of fl ows.
Th e City’s water supply and wastewater ordinance has set aside 150,000 gallons per
day for the City Center area. Th is is anticipated to meet a substantial portion of the
need for the foreseeable future growth without unreasonably over-committing to one
geographic area within the City’s core areas. Th e recent upgrade to the facility was
critical in the City’s receipt of a New Town Center designation from the Vermont
Downtown Board in 2010 and played an equally important role in the designation of
Severance Corners in Colchester as a Growth Center in 2009.
External factors play an increasingly signifi cant role in planning for future sewage
disposal. Discharge of treated effl uent from the Bartlett Bay plant into Lake
Champlain and into the Winooski River from the Airport Parkway plant is governed
by state discharge permits and the federally mandated Lake Champlain TMDL (total
maximum daily load) for phosphorus. Assignment of a water quality designation by
the state limits the quantity and quality of the effl uent the City may discharge.
Shelburne Bay, which assimilates waste from the Bartlett Bay treatment plant (and
Town of Shelburne), is the raw water source for the Champlain Water District. Th e
Winooski River is relied upon by abutting communities for sewage plant outfall.
Because of state-imposed water quality standards for the Winooski River, it has
become apparent the assimilative capacity of the river is limited. However, this limit
may be exceeded by the demands of the communities bordering it. Th e City must
continue to actively and diligently participate in the waste-load allocation plan for the
lower Winooski River.
Th e system of private and public pump stations and feeder lines presents challenges
for system maintenance at times. Th e City has encouraged development to use public
standards for construction.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
As with all public infrastructure, the need to maintain facilities at a reasonable cost is
paramount. With the completion of the Airport Parkway Treatment Plant upgrade,
capacity needs in the City should be met for the next decade and beyond. Th e Bartlett
Bay facility will have need for equipment upgrades in the near future however, and
presents an opportunity for the City to gain substantial energy savings with the use of
the newer technologies being employed at Airport Parkway and elsewhere.
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Th e City’s capital budget and plan can estimate time frames for renovations and
needed line and pump station upgrades. A capital plan that is reviewed regularly can
also project time frames for future capacity needs and establish a fi nancial mechanism
in advance.
Th e City has recognized that there are certain planned conservation areas where
the installation of sewer lines is not an appropriate investment. Sewer lines are not
recommended for extension in or through any of the Primary Natural Communities
identifi ed in the Arrowwood Assessment, in “Th e Bowl” area identifi ed for future
conservation. Th e limited number of housing units and low densities planned for this
area can be served by on-site septic systems if development occurs.
Th e Sanitary and Water Systems Map shows specifi c pump stations and force mains
that should be upgraded in order to provide better service to existing and planned
development areas in the SEQ. Th ese improvements and upgrades, which have been
incorporated into the facilities plan for upgrading the Airport Parkway Wastewater
Treatment Facility, are consistent with the planning principles and goals for the SEQ
and should be completed.
POTABLE WATER & WASTEWATER OBJECTIVES
Objective 29. Maintain a wastewater allocation system that refl ects the land
use goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
POTABLE WATER & WASTEWATER STRATEGIES
Strategy 65. Plan for infrastructure such that its location will limit disturbance within identifi ed primary and
secondary natural areas throughout the City to the greatest extent possible.
Strategy 66. Secure a water tank site on a high point in the Southeast Quadrant to serve the City’s 20- to
25-year pressure and storage needs. This should be added to the Offi cial Map, and incorporated
into any development plans for the area.
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2.5. Green Infrastructure
The City of South Burlington’s open spaces, parks, natural systems and
cultural resources combine to create a “green” network throughout the
community. Similar to the network of roads, paths, sidewalks, and utilities
that make up the City’s “grey” infrastructure, and the rivers, wetlands, and
water systems that make up the City’s “blue” infrastructure, these “green”
elements provide a network that identifi es and preserves the signifi cant
ecological, wildlife and cultural resources that contribute to the character
of the City.
From public parks and wildlife habitats to farmland and historic
buildings, the natural and cultural resources that make up the City’s
green infrastructure play an important role in the future development of
the community. Through green infrastructure planning, priority resource
areas can be identifi ed and linked to create recreational and open space
systems as well as valuable corridors for wildlife.
A. Ecological Resources
Th e ecological resources of South Burlington are widely varied for a community of its
size located in the heart of the Champlain Valley. Prominent water features, including
Lake Champlain, the Winooski River, Potash Brook, Centennial Brook, and Muddy
Brook serve as important wildlife travel corridors and political boundaries (these
aquatic resources are discussed in greater detail in the Blue Infrastructure section
of this plan). Geological features ranging from lakeside cliff s to sandy soils play an
important role in shaping the vegetation as well as development patterns in the area.
Th is chapter includes an inventory, analysis, and overall policy strategy of the natural
resources and publicly-owned natural areas of the City. Th is chapter is supplemented
by the discussions and analyses within the land use section of this plan. It is further
supplemented by the myriad of existing and planned open space, natural area, water
quality, and wildlife conservation plans and studies prepared by or for the City.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s ecological resources identifi ed in this plan
include:
✦Th e City has retained a number of important natural areas that provide
multiple benefi ts to City residents including recreational opportunities,
wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, storm and fl ood water storage, etc.
However, the City lacks a well-defi ned, coordinated, City-wide open space
plan to ensure protection of ecological resources and improved environmental
quality as the City continues to grow and develop.
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✦Th e Champlain Valley is among the most fertile regions in Vermont, creating
opportunities for both agriculture and development.
✦Chittenden County presently meets federal air quality standards, but has in
the past been a non-attainment area and could be so again.
INVENTORY
Th e South Burlington Open Space Strategy (2002) includes a overview of land
throughout the City with higher ecological value based on compilations and analyses
of the various resources described below and in the Blue Infrastructure section of
this plan. Th e Southeast Quadrant (SEQ) Open Space Master Plan Map (2005)
includes specifi c recommendations for properties that should be conserved. Th e
South Burlington Open Space Report (2014) includes a signifi cant number of
recommendations ranging from potential scenic view protection areas, a park gap
analysis, and mapped primary and secondary resource conservation areas. Land cover,
bio-diversity, and working lands are also mapped in this report.
Climate. South Burlington’s northerly latitude assures a variety of weather and a
vigorous, cool climate. Th e average annual temperature is 46 degrees, the average
summer temperature is 65 degrees. Th e average annual frost-free growing season
of 145 days is largely due to the moderating infl uence of Lake Champlain. South
Burlington is one of the cloudiest areas in the U.S. with an average of 199 cloudy days
a year. Precipitation is well distributed throughout the year and averages 37 inches
annually in the form of rain and 81 inches annually in the form of snow. Winds are
predominantly north-south in direction paralleling the Champlain Valley. Winds of
damaging force are rare and occur mostly as thunderstorms.
Th e climate of the area is documented in the UVM Agricultural Experiment Station
publication, Climate of Burlington, Vermont. Th e severity and duration of the winter
shortens the construction season. Th e growing season varies somewhat depending
upon the crop, but is generally considered to range from mid-April through late-
October.
Careful design and construction of foundations, utility lines, and roadways become
necessary to minimize damage from frost heaving and icing. As learned from the ice
storm of January 1998, undergrounding of utilities is important.
Air Quality. Air quality in Chittenden County currently meets all basic federal
health (attainment) criteria. For some measurements however - notably ozone and
particulate dust from local and national sources - ongoing monitoring is necessary.
Th e primary sources of airborne pollutants include automobiles and trucks, industry,
and residential/commercial heating.
Air quality is not a new concern in Chittenden County. During the 1970s and much
of the 1980s, air quality in the county did not meet the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. Since 1987, air quality in Chittenden County – and all of Vermont – has
met these standards. Air quality monitoring confi rms that Chittenden County’s air
quality still meets the national standards, but ozone levels are close to the current
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national standard and fi ne particle pollution (PM) has approached the standard in
recent years.
Keeping our Air Clean, a report released by the Chittenden County Regional Planning
Commission in 2009, highlights the primary sources of air pollution in the region and
presents a series of individual, local, and regional recommendations to maintain and
improve our local air quality.
In May 2009, the City of South Burlington’s Energy Committee completed an
assessment of energy use throughout the community. Th e assessment revealed
transportation to be the greatest single source of energy use in the City. With nearly
all vehicles fueled by gasoline and diesel in the City, it is also a signifi cant contributor
to airborne pollutants.
Topography. South Burlington’s landscape is lined by a series of ridgelines and river
valleys and punctuated by cliff s along parts of Lake Champlain and the Winooski
River. Elevations range from a low of 95 feet above sea level along the shorelines
of Lake Champlain to a peak of 473 feet along a ridgeline in the City’s Southeast
Quadrant. Five prominent north-south ridgelines shape the City’s landscape and
play an important role in the historic transportation, settlement, and wildlife transit
patterns of the community:
✦Along the west side of Spear Street, from Swift Street into the town of
Shelburne;
✦Along the east side of Dorset Street, from Swift Street into the town of
Shelburne with a gap in the vicinity of Cider Mill Drive;
✦Along Hinesburg Road south of Interstate 89 into the Town of Shelburne;
✦Between Spear Street and Dorset Street, extending southward from Swift
Street a short distance; and
✦Along Old Farm Road from Kimball Ave to Hinesburg Road.
Th e high points of these ridgelines reveal in many cases spectacular views of the Green
and/or Adirondack Mountains in the distance. Some have been incorporated into the
City’s Land Development Regulations as scenic view overlay districts.
North of these ridge systems is a fl at, well-drained deltaic deposit. Th is fl at area
is drained by a network of drainage ways towards Potash Brook to the south and
tributaries of the Winooski River to the north. Burlington International Airport
is located in this area. Two other distinctive fl at areas are found in the Southeast
Quadrant. Th e smaller area is located to the east of Butler Farms. It contains a large
wetland which is the source of Potash Brook. Th e larger area is located to the east of
Spear Street. Th is area has a large wetland in its geographic center that drains into
Shelburne Pond, a designated natural area. Floodplains and wetlands are found in
the lowlands near rivers, streams and drainage ways in association with the Winooski
River, Potash Brook, Muddy Brook and their tributaries.
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Bedrock Geology. Much of the Winooski and Champlain valleys’ geologic formations
were the result of glaciation. When the ice receded, Lake Vermont was formed which
extended from the Lake Champlain basin to the foothills of the Green Mountains.
Th e resulting valleys are covered with glacial drift and lake sediments. Th e signifi cant
bedrock geology lying near to the surface in South Burlington is located in the western
portion of the City extending along the Lake Champlain shoreline. Th ese are primarily
limestone/dolomite, calcareous clastic, and meta-sandstone and quartzite.
Th e bedrock geology of the City relates to planning in many ways. First, shallow depth
to bedrock and the presence of bedrock outcrops dictate the location of roads, leach
fi elds, underground utility lines, and building foundations. Second, bedrock aquifers
supply many wells in South Burlington. Th e quantity and quality of this groundwater
must be maintained at least as long as citizens rely on private wells for their domestic
water supplies. Th e eff ects of development on recharge areas as far as natural systems
are concerned should also be borne in mind. Land development reduces recharge
capability at the surface by increasing impermeable surfaces, such as rooftops and
paved areas.
Soils. Th e Champlain Valley has long been identifi ed as one of the most fertile regions
in Vermont. Within this region, most of the soils in South Burlington are classifi ed
as prime soils or soils of statewide important for agriculture by the federal Natural
Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Th ey meet the criteria for primary agricultural
soils as regulated by the state via Act 250’s Criteria 9B and have historically been active
farmland. Although much of South Burlington has been developed, there is farmland,
especially in the Southeast Quadrant, that remains viable for agricultural production.
Th e City’s soils are mapped in the Chittenden County Soil Survey by the Natural
Resource Conservation Service of the United State Department of Agriculture.
Vegetation. Trees, shrubs, and other soil cover are more than aesthetic amenities.
Th ey prevent erosion, provide stormwater benefi ts, improve air quality, provide visual
and aural buff ers, and furnish shade and protection from wind. Several remaining
large wooded tracts are owned by the City or the University of Vermont and are
maintained essentially in their natural state (see discussion on forest lands). Remnants
of apple orchards and hedgerows along property lines and abandoned town roads are
historic reminders of the City’s agricultural heritage and past land use patterns.
Forest Lands. Forest lands are an important natural resource. Due to the urban
character of the City, forest lands are more important for their recreational,
educational, wildlife habitat and aesthetic amenities as opposed to their use for timber
production. Trees serve as temperature control, wind breaks and noise baffl es, and
provide important habitat for various types of birds and wildlife. Th erefore, programs
and methods to protect these lands should focus on public access and enjoyment, and
wildlife preservation.
Several important, publicly accessible, forest land areas are identifi ed in this plan
including Red Rocks Park, Centennial Woods, East Woods Natural Area and the
Kennedy Drive Natural Area. Additional important forest lands include the forested
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ravine area bounded by I-89, Patchen Road and Williston Road, and the 20-acre
forested wetland/bog located in the southern end of the City between Spear and
Dorset Streets. Th ese forest areas are in private ownership.
Wildlife. South Burlington is home to a wide range of wildlife, from insects and
worms, to larger mammals like beaver, fox, coyotes, bobcats, deer, and occasionally
moose and bear. Many bird species are also present, including some ground nesting
species whose populations have declined in Vermont in recent years due to changing
agricultural practices. Residents share the densely populated urban and suburban areas
and open spaces with this diverse population of wildlife. People and wildlife share
the natural areas throughout the City. Past studies have identifi ed travel routes - or
corridors - most often frequented by larger wildlife. Th ese corridors tend to focus on
and include resources such as streams, wetlands, bogs, and undeveloped forest blocks.
Natural Areas. Natural areas in South Burlington have been identifi ed by the City
and its partners, the University of Vermont, the Vermont Natural Resource Council,
the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, the Vermont Resources
Research Center, and the South Burlington Land Trust.
Th ese natural areas have generally been historically undeveloped, though most of
the land in the region was logged and farmed for some portion of its history. Many
contain unusual communities of plants and animals, rare species, and exceptional
geological features. Two studies, the South Burlington Open Space Strategy (2002)
and the Wildlife and Natural Community Assessment of the Southeast Quadrant
(2004) document many of the most critical natural areas within the City. Of these,
some are publicly owned, others are under private conservation easements, and others
are not protected.
A comprehensive listing of natural areas, public and private, can be found in the
Community Facilities chapter of this Plan.
Primary and Secondary Conservation Areas. Th e 2014 Open Space Report
classifi es natural and scenic open spaces resources identifi ed and considered for
protection as “primary” and “secondary” resource conservation areas. Th is classifi cation
forms the basis for many resource protection strategies. Th ey are not assigned based on
a national standard, but rather refl ect South Burlington’s local protection priorities.
Primary conservation areas (Map 7) include environmentally sensitive and hazardous
areas that are off limits to development, regardless of their setting or context; and sites
that host or support rare, threatened and endangered species.
Secondary Conservation Areas (Map 8) are those other resource areas also identifi ed
for conservation or protection, in which limited encroachment may be allowed in
accordance with siting and management practices that are intended to avoid, minimize
or mitigate the adverse impacts of development.
With these distinctions identifi ed by the community, the City will begin to incorporate
them in land use planning.
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ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Th e conservation of connected wildlife corridors and individual pieces of land
containing unique physical features, together with careful attention to conservation
of natural resources on developed properties have become increasingly important as
development has continued to take place throughout the City. Whereas in the past,
undeveloped areas that were used for active farm and forestry operations provided
habitat for wildlife and scenic views for the public, ongoing development pressure
throughout Chittenden County has generated the need to actively conserve important
open spaces, forested blocks, and connected wildlife habitat areas.
In order to maintain a balance of conserving important ecological resources and
allowing for development, City policies will need to consider:
Climate and Climate Change. Th e region’s variable climate places signifi cant burden
on natural communities in the area. From a land use perspective, winter climate
conditions require adequate snow storage on all properties, and place demands for
regular plowing services by the City and other public and private entities. In addition,
rainfall must be properly accounted for in order to ensure that stormwater runoff does
not lead to declines in water quality or stream bank erosion.
Th e more global issue of climate change poses signifi cant challenges for all communities,
both in how they contribute to the change, and how they respond to it. Th e City of
South Burlington has substantial opportunities to address both by fostering land use
patterns, transportation modes and energy strategies that can temper the City’s carbon
footprint. Goals and strategies related to this issue are found through the plan under
relevant chapters.
Geology. Th e bedrock geology of the City should be closely considered as a part of
all development activity.
Th e eff ects of development on groundwater recharge areas as far as natural systems are
concerned should also be borne in mind. Development reduces recharge capability
at the surface by increasing impermeable surfaces, such as rooftops, paved areas and
lawns.
Soils. Soils information is particularly germane to the future plans for land use. Much
of the area contains soils of statewide importance (with limited areas having prime
agricultural soils). Historically these soils have been benefi cial to both agricultural
operations and development. Today, the presence of these soils provide opportunities
for development to be commingled with small-scale agricultural operations,
community gardens, and the continued presence of larger scale operations associated
with the University of Vermont and historic farms. Th e geographic nature of the area
requires the City to balance small- and mid-sized agricultural opportunities with
demands for aff ordable housing and economic development in the core of Chittenden
County. Sandy soils along Shelburne Road and near the airport are well drained but
of lesser agricultural quality, while soils in the southeast quadrant tend to include less
well drained clay and loam soils.
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Air Quality. As the City continues to grow, and especially as the county around us
becomes more urbanized, the community must remain an active participant in eff orts
to maintain or improve air quality conditions. Growth can lead to reductions in air
quality, but actions to counterbalance this, as described in the recent Chittenden
County Air Quality Plan (2009), can mitigate potential problems and ensure that the
region does not become a “non-attainment” area. Land uses and activities with the
greatest potential for air quality problems include certain manufacturing uses, quarry
operations, congested intersections where vehicle stacking and queuing is substantial,
and auto-dependant land uses in general.
Habitat and Vegetation.
✦Th e presence of important ecological resources, as well as steep slopes, shallow
soils, and extensive bedrock outcroppings should be incorporated into all
types of planning for development and conservation.
✦Many of the wildlife corridors within the City begin or extend beyond the
City’s boundaries, including the Muddy Brook, Shelburne Pond, Winooski
River, Centennial Woods, and others. Coordination with neighboring
jurisdictions and regional and state entities is critical.
✦Eff ective wildlife habitat areas include travel corridors for foraging, hunting,
nesting and drinking.
✦Unique and historic natural areas can be open to the public and celebrated if
carefully managed. Continued evaluation of these resources will be necessary
to determine whether any might need to be “off limits” to the public.
✦Conservation of mature and specimen trees is important due to the diffi culty
of successfully transplanting these trees; this must be balanced with ensuring
that conserved natural areas retain a vibrant forest succession to ensure the
future health of these areas.
✦Maintaining a balanced variety of native plant species and actively removing
non-native invasive species will help to support a vibrant system of fl ora and
fauna.
✦Th e planting of street trees can serve to provide a safer and more pleasant
pedestrian experience, calm traffi c fl ow, and contribute to urban beauty, air
and water quality, and noise reduction. Th e City must continue to ensure a
balance of diff erent tree types to protect from wide-scale disease (such as the
dutch elm disease).
✦Maintaining and growing a healthy tree canopy has extensive public health,
social and even economic benefi ts, including energy conservation and climate
cooling, water fi ltration, absorption of air pollutants, improved wildlife
habitat, recreational enjoyment, aesthetic relief, noise reduction; studies even
demonstrate improved mental health of people with exposure to more trees.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Several population and development trends in South Burlington will shape the City’s
ecological resources in the coming years.
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✦Development Growth. Housing growth is expected to continue at an average
rate of 1.5 to 2.0 % annually. Commercial development is also anticipated to
continue at a similar pace. Th is development will continue to place pressure
on existing wildlife habitat areas as well as wildlife travel corridors. Th is is
especially the case in the Southeast Quadrant.
✦Public Demand for Accessible Natural Areas. Public interest in the
acquisition, maintenance and accessibility of natural areas has grown steadily
in South Burlington over the past decade. It is anticipated that this interest
will continue to grow as development continues to take place in previously
unbuilt areas and as public recreational interests grow.
✦At a regional scale, as development continues to take place throughout
Chittenden County, attention to the need to acquire and maintain habitat
corridors for public and wildlife benefi t will likely grow.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
✦Underwood Property Vision Framework (2015)
✦Wheeler Nature Park Management Plan (2015)
✦South Burlington Open Space Report (2014)
✦A Report on Existing and Potential Tree Canopy in the City of South
Burlington (2014)
✦Red Rocks Management Plan (2013)
✦Leduc Farm Landscape: A Natural and Cultural History (May 2009)
✦Dorset Park Natural Area [now formally the Wheeler Nature Park]
Natural Resource Inventory and Management Recommendations
(July 2009)
✦Wildlife and Natural Community Assessment of the Southeast
Quadrant (July 2004) & Southeast Quadrant Environmental Resources
Map (March 2005)
✦Southeast Quadrant Open Space Master Plan Map (March 2005)
✦A Study of Breeding Birds in the Southeast Quadrant (July 2004)
✦South Burlington Open Space Strategy (April 2002)
ECOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES
Objective 30. Proactively plan for a network of interconnected and
contiguous open spaces to conserve and accommodate
ecological resources, active and passive recreation land,
civic spaces, scenic views and vistas, forests and productive
farmland and primary agricultural soils.
Objective 31. Conserve, restore and enhance biological diversity within the
City, through careful site planning and development that is
designed to avoid adverse impacts to critical wildlife resources,
and that incorporates signifi cant natural areas, communities
and wildlife habitats as conserved open space.
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ECOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
Strategy 67. Substantially restrict new subdivision and development from primary resource conservation
areas to include hazardous and environmentally sensitive areas identifi ed, mapped and
regulated by the City. Minimize the adverse impacts of new subdivision and development,
including resource fragmentation and encroachment, within secondary resource conservation
areas, to include those resources of state or local signifi cance as indicated on available resource
maps, identifi ed in available inventories and studies, and confi rmed through site investigation.
Strategy 68. Redefi ne open space in new developments such that usable, quality open space shall be
required. Qualifying open space should include civic spaces, recreation, wildlife habitat, and
usable agricultural lands.
Strategy 69. Retain healthy and high-quality existing trees, vegetation, and publicly owned natural areas
and woodlands. Develop long-range management plans for each area to foster their continued
health and use.
Strategy 70. Encourage public education about tree functions and tree disease inspection in urban areas
through cooperation with the UVM Horticultural Farm and Vermont Department of Forest Parks,
and Recreation, Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Strategy 71. Maintain the City’s wildlife diversity, including making use of available planning and legal
tools such as buff ers, transfers of development rights, overlay zoning districts, conservation
easements and other tools as appropriate.
Strategy 72. Work with adjoining municipalities and regional entities to enact complementary land use
policies where wildlife habitat areas cross City boundaries.
Strategy 73. Maintain existing overall tree canopy. Set targets to increase overall tree canopy, with a focus
on increasing tree canopy in urban areas and residential property parcels as identifi ed in the
Report on Existing and Potential Tree Canopy in the City of South Burlington (2014).
Strategy 74. Foster passive recreational use of natural areas and identify areas that may be appropriate for
an “off -limits” designation due to their fragile nature.
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B. Historic and Cultural Resources
Historic and cultural resources in South Burlington include scenic views, natural
areas, historic properties and structures, and growing community amenities provided
by local organizations, individuals, and the City.
Th e City’s history has been well documented through annual reports, oral histories, and
publications, such as Look Around So. Burlington Vermont, South Burlington Vermont
1865-1965, and Know Your Community: South Burlington, Vermont 1865-1977. Th ese
publications provide a strong background of the City’s formation from the original
City of Burlington and describe the majority of buildings that today would be eligible
for the National Register of Historic Places. As the community’s fi rst subdivisions and
commercial development enter their seventh decade, however, the built environment
that is considered historic is growing.
Cultural resources in the community have long been linked to those in neighboring
communities, notably Burlington. Th e resources based in South Burlington have
traditionally been scenic views, natural areas, parks, schools, the community library,
and places of worship. Th ese have been supplemented for many years by programming
off ered through various community groups, the City’s recreation and parks department,
and others.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s historic and cultural resources identifi ed in
this plan include:
✦Scenic views are among the City’s most prominent cultural and historic
resources.
✦Th ough somewhat limited in number, historic homes and buildings dating
from the 1930s and earlier dot the South Burlington landscape.
✦Some of South Burlington’s historic resources have not been identifi ed or
documented as they were not considered “historic” during the period when
statewide inventories of historic resources were compiled (primarily in the
1980s). Key architectural resources that exemplify the City’s heritage should
be recognized and protected in order to provide future generations of residents
a physical connection to the period when South Burlington became a City.
INVENTORY
Views and Scenic Quality. Th ere are a number of outstanding scenic views off ered in
South Burlington. From numerous locations in the City, one can see spectacular views
of the Green Mountains to the east, and the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain to the
west. Th e preservation of the scenic qualities of the City are critical to understanding its
cultural landscape and heritage. Th rough careful planning, appropriate development
design, and through acquisitions and easements, these vistas and viewshed protection
zones can be protected for future generations to enjoy.
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In the 1990s, vista viewpoints were identifi ed for 17 key locations in South Burlington.
Of these, Viewshed Protection Zones are now in existence for six views including from
the Nowland Farm Road area, Hinesburg Road- North, Hinesburg Road- South,
Spear Street and Allen Road, and Spear Street at Overlook Park.
Additional views, along with an evaluation matrix, were examined and are available in
the 2014 Open Space Report.
Historic Sites and Structures. Th e City of South Burlington has diverse historic
resources, including archaeological resources that are not readily visible. Paleoindian
archeological sites, landscape features such as stonewalls, historic farmsteads, Craftsman
Style bungalows, International Style buildings, post-World War II neighborhoods, and
a variety of roadside architecture make up the cultural landscape and history of South
Burlington. Th ese cultural resources are visual representations of the City’s heritage.
Archaeological sites off er insight into the more distant past when people did not write
and provide information about events and activities. South Burlington’s pre-contact
and historic period archeological sites and historic buildings, structures and landscapes,
help constitute its unique and diverse cultural heritage. Once these resources are gone,
they can never be replaced. For certain time periods of history, these historic resources
may be the only clues to our past.
South Burlington is unique among Vermont communities as a large portion of South
Burlington’s built environment was created during the years following World War II.
While most would not consider the mid-20th century architecture of South Burlington
to be historic, many of these sites and structures are historically signifi cant. Th ose that
are at least 50 years old may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
A number of structures in South Burlington date from the 19th century. Th ese include,
among others, the Stone House at Van Sicklen Road and the Wheeler House at Swift
and Dorset Streets.
Cultural Facilities and Organizations. Cultural facilities in South Burlington
include a combination of public and private sector venues, including the City-owned
O’Brien Center at Jaycee Park. Th e Recreation and Parks Department manages this
facility and off ers a range of community recreational activities and programming
year-round. Cultural organizations in the City include places of worship, service
organizations and community groups. In many cases, organizations off ering cultural
programming in the area are regionally, rather than locally, based. Th e development
of a community center would provide a much needed space for cultural organizations
to gather.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Historic Sites and Structures. Care must be taken to appreciate South Burlington’s
cultural landscape as a record of the City’s evolution from an agricultural to a booming
post-war suburban community. A variety of components that make up South
Burlington’s cultural landscape must be preserved in order to preserve elements of
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the City’s history. As the City develops, care should be taken to make development
sensitive to the City’s historic and archaeological sites and structures. Destroying
historic resources can sometimes permanently destroy opportunities to interpret
and understand our history. As South Burlington continues to develop, the historic
resources that represent the City’s past should be recognized and preserved as we plan
for its future.
Heritage Landscapes. Nestled within the Champlain Valley, South Burlington’s
agricultural landscape is a critical part of the City’s cultural heritage. Th e remaining
farmsteads and farmland, particularly in the Southeast Quadrant, represent the
historical development patterns of the community and refl ect its strong agrarian
past. Whether remaining in active production or becoming conserved areas, these
landscapes can become important cultural links in an open space network.
Cultural Facilities and Organizations. Th e diverse geography of South Burlington
and proximity to Burlington and other historic communities have historically
made the presence and operation of cultural facilities and community-wide cultural
organizations a challenge. Th e construction of the recreation path network has
begun to sew the City’s diverse and well-established neighborhoods together with its
commercial areas and parks.
Scenic Viewsheds. Th e City has identifi ed a series of scenic viewpoints and
established scenic view overlay districts in the Southeast Quadrant. Opportunities
exist for additional overlay districts to be established elsewhere in the community and
should be explored.
FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS
Ongoing development will place pressure on historic structures and properties to be
renovated or replaced. Until recently, very few building in South Burlington would
be considered “historic,” as much of initial development in the community took
place beginning in the 1940s. As greater numbers of structures reach 50 years of age,
some buildings or neighborhoods may become eligible for designation on the State or
National Register of Historic Places.
HISTORIC & CULTURAL RESOURCE OBJECTIVES
Objective 32. Protect important vistas and viewsheds, as viewed from public
vantage points (public roads, paths, land); and designated
landscapes, sites and structures of historic and cultural
signifi cance.
HISTORIC & CULTURAL RESOURCE STRATEGIES
Strategy 75. Using the data and process identifi ed in the 2014 South Burlington Open Space study, establish
view protection overlay districts in additional areas of the City and encourage designs that are
visually harmonious with the natural landscape in view protection districts.
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Strategy 76. Use the state Register of Historic Places listing for the City to help assess the signifi cance of
historic buildings, structures and landscapes, and consider listing roadside architecture and
post-World War II construction as historic properties.
Strategy 77. Pursue an inventory of the City’s historic resources and consider regulatory tools that would
require documentation of signifi cant and identifi ed historic or archeological resources before
permitting their destruction.
Strategy 78. Participate in appropriate reviews such as Act 250 or highway corridor hearings to protect
important historical and cultural resources which may be threatened.
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C. Recreation Resources
The City of South Burlington is home to an array of recreational facilities
and programming. It is in part due to this that the City was named “Best
Sports Town in Vermont” by Sports Illustrated in 2007. The challenge for
the City - and community - is to balance the need for recreational facilities
(developed and natural) with other uses of land, and to provide cost-
eff ective services to residents of all ages, interests, and abilities.
OVERVIEW
Key issues and needs related to the City’s cultural resources identifi ed in this plan
include:
✦Th e City has a number of developed parks, but they are heavily used and not
equally geographically distributed.
✦Growing interest in undeveloped, natural recreation areas has provided new
opportunities and additional acquisition and maintenance demands on the
City and other local and regional partners.
✦Recreational programming remains extremely popular and must regularly
adapt to changing demographics within the community.
✦Recreation & Parks operates under three main pillars: Conservation, Health
& Wellness, and Social Equity.
INVENTORY
Recreational Facilities. Th e City of South Burlington Recreation and Parks
Department off ers diverse leisure time and recreational opportunities in a variety of
settings. A comprehensive listing of parks, public and private, can be found in the
Community Facilities chapter of this Plan.
Funding. Th e City has used a number of strategies to acquire and upgrade both
developed parks and City natural areas. In past years, South Burlington has taken
great advantage of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. More recently, in
2000, City voters approved a special dedicated property tax of 1 cent to purchase open
space or development rights to open space. Th e tax yielded approximately $270,000
in FY216 and is anticipated to grow commensurate with the grand list each year. In
2010, the use of these funds was expanded to allow for up to fi ve percent of the annual
funds to be used for maintenance of open space.
Another implementation measure used to acquire parkland is through the assessment
of recreation impact fees on new development. Th e City adopted its Impact Fee
Ordinance, which includes recreation fees, in 1995. Th e payment of an impact fee
is preferred where it is not practical to dedicate a park site due to the size, density or
location of a proposed subdivision. Th ere is a strict requirement as to how this money
can be spent and there is also a time limit as to how it can be spent.
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A third strategy has been the requirement of dedication of public park space alongside
larger development projects via the Land Development Regulations.
Recreation Programming. Recreation programs are fundamental to the quality
of life of people, our community, and society as a whole. Quality of life for people
and the community can encompass a number of factors. Among those factors are
individual, community, environmental, and economic benefi ts.
Th e mission statement for the City’s recreation and parks department is refl ected in
the wide-range of programming opportunities off ered: “To enhance the quality of life
for all citizens of our community by providing meaningful and fulfi lling leisure time
activities, recognizing that each person is an individual with their own needs, abilities,
and goals to be met during their leisure time.”
Th e City’s comprehensive list of recreation programs range in age from pre-school
to senior citizens’ activities. Th ere are currently 377 various programs off ered in a
number of major groups including: youth programs, family activities, special events,
adult programs, camp programs, junior programs, and senior programs. In addition,
the City works with area community groups, nonprofi ts, neighboring municipalities,
and the school district to coordinate and enhance programming available to the City’s
residents.
To a large extent, public school facilities house the vast majority of indoor programs,
while the City’s recreation fi elds and parks provide the majority of the outdoor
programming space.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Recreation Facility Planning. Th e rate, location, and type of new residential
construction present a variety of considerations for recreation planning. Th e national
goal of 7.5 acres of developed recreation land per 1,000 population has been endorsed
by the Recreation and Leisure Arts Committee and Recreation and Parks Department.
In South Burlington, residential development over the past decade has brought the
City from being well above this target to close or slightly below. In addition, the
distribution of community and neighborhood parks, while generally widespread, does
not provide for easy pedestrian access for all residents.
Maintenance and Safety. As the public path and park systems continue to grow,
maintenance and safety are becoming increasingly important issues for the City to
address. Maintenance is primarily the responsibility of the DPW’s Parks Division,
supplemented by occasional volunteer eff orts. Staff repairs, paves, paints, landscapes,
sweeps, mows, and plows the City’s paths and parks as necessary and those costs are
part of the City’s Public Works’ budget. It will be important for the City to retain a
regular upkeep and revitalization plan for its recreational facilities.
Recreation Programming. Th e Recreation and Parks Department off ers a wide array
of programs, including sports, art, hobby, and educational programs, play groups and
fi tness, and serves community members from pre-school to seniors. In 2012 more
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than 420 programs were off ered, in various City, school, or privately owned facilities.
A major obstacle that the department faces is that there is very limited space assigned
only to these programs.
Th e Recreation and Parks Department is largely dependent on availability of spaces
within the schools to off er the majority of its programs. It receives the second highest
priority for the use of school spaces, next to school activities themselves. While this
partnership is successful on many levels, there are still direct costs involved, lack of
control in scheduling the spaces themselves, and with the length of a regular school
day, these spaces are limiting in providing recreational activities for preschoolers and
the elderly, both signifi cant needs that currently exist in our community. Alternative
building space to provide for these types of activities is essential.
Th ere remains an additional need for outdoor playing fi elds as well. Over the years,
many traditional sports programs have transitioned into three-season sports placing
a huge demand on facility spaces. In addition, many spaces are used for multi-sports
events. Since there are limited designated fi eld areas, additional playing spaces have
developed out of necessity, and do not provide adequate space for the demand.
Additional City parkland is needed to adequately provide facility space for various
youth and adult sports programs
FUTURE TRENDS AND NEEDS
As our population demographics continue to shift, so do our facility and programming
needs. Trends show an aging population that has strong interests in lower-impact
recreation. Trends from the past two decades also indicate continued strong and
growing interest in youth developed recreation facilities; there is an identifi ed lack
of lacrosse and soccer fi elds. Th e City will need to balance needs for open space and
developed and passive recreation space and balance new facilities and expected level of
service with an ability to provide such services.
RECREATION OBJECTIVES
Objective 33. Provide for the varied recreational needs and interests of its
citizens by providing areas and facilities for passive recreation,
active sports, cultural and educational programs, and civic
gatherings.
Objective 34. Provide public access to natural areas within the City’s more
urban and suburban neighborhoods, for passive outdoor
recreation and education.
Objective 35. Use the strategies in this plan to maintain the targeted ratio
of open space to population/ level of service standards as
outlined in the South Burlington Open Space Report (2014).
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RECREATION STRATEGIES
Strategy 79. Refi ne and implement acquisition criteria and evaluation of land for the highest community
need.
Strategy 80. Integrate additional public parks into the recreational system to refl ect National Recreation and
Parks Association Level of Service Standards (LOS); create suffi cient active recreation fi elds to
enable restoration and maintenance.
Strategy 81. Work with private developers to integrate open space and neighborhood parks into planned
development.
Strategy 82. Increase accessibility in parks, such that they may be enjoyed by all residents regardless of
age, interest, and physical ability consistent with the proposed use of a recreation parcel and
activity. Regularly evaluate and modify programming based on changing demographics.
Strategy 83. Work towards providing access to a park or qualifying open space area within a one-mile safe
walk from each neighborhood in the City, and provide each neighborhood with a small park,
mini-park, neighborhood park, community green or meeting area. Utilize Gap Analysis
map from 2014 Open Space Report to identify needs for neighborhood parks.
Strategy 84. Seek opportunities to establish additional public access and parkland along Lake Champlain.
Strategy 85. Establish a public recreation path along Lake Champlain.
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D. Agricultural Resources
Agricultural activity in the City has a long and evolving history. Evidence
of spear tips and other archeological artifacts indicate settlement
and probable small-scale agricultural activity for centuries prior to the
establishment of permanent settlements in the late 18th century. From
that point forward, many farms were established in the community,
focused on the products that were typical of the Champlain Valley: sheep,
dairy cows, grains, etc.
As substantial development began to occur in the community in the
1940s, the number and scale of farms began to decline. South Burlington
today continues to have an agricultural presence, but it is one that is
physically and economically very diff erent from the past.
This chapter includes an inventory, analysis, and overall policy strategy of
the agricultural resources within the City. This chapter is supplemented
by the discussions and analyses within the land use chapters of the plan.
OVERVIEW AND INVENTORY
Th e City of South Burlington is a largely urbanized community with only a small
number of traditional farm parcels remaining. In recent years, however, new forms of
agriculture, from small vegetable farms to backyard gardens and farmers markets, have
emerged and started to become a signifi cant part of the City’s landscape and economic
and cultural base. Existing agricultural resources in the City include:
✦Large-Scale Farms and Support Fields. Th e City is home to a small number
of large agricultural or hay fi eld parcels dispersed throughout the City. Th ose
include the dairy, hay, and corn fi elds owned and operated by the University
of Vermont adjacent to Spear Street, a dairy farm operation at the extreme
northern end of the City, the University of Vermont’s Horticultural Farm off
Shelburne Road, and farm and hay fi elds along Old Farm Road, Hinesburg
Road, and Cheesefactory Road.
Most of these, with the exception of the UVM lands and Belter Farm off
Ethan Allen Drive, have reverted from active farm operation to minimal use
as hay fi elds over the past generation. Th e City did, however, became host to a
new operation in 2009, with the conservation of the former Leduc parcel and
the establishment of the Bread and Butter Farm on approximately 140-acres
split between Shelburne and South Burlington along Cheese Factory Road.
Th is new farm includes beef, vegetable production, and an on-farm bakery.
✦Small-Scale Farms and Orchards. A handful of smaller-scale agricultural
operations are spread throughout the City. Th ese operations are typically
part-time work for those who operate them and vary in the products they
off er. Th ey are a relatively new addition to the South Burlington agricultural
landscape. Of note are a small handful of “backyard” farms operated by
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homeowners and a small farm that has been integrated into the South Village
development as a part of its overall mission of sustainability.
✦Community Gardens. At present, there are two sets of public community
gardens in the City; one on land owned by the University of Vermont at the
corner of Swift and Spear Streets, the other which is owned and operated at
the Wheeler Nature Park Homestead on Dorset Street. Both of these have
waiting lists.
✦Farmers Markets. In 2010, the City Council passed an ordinance formally
allowing for privately operated farmers markets to exist. In response, after a
trial run, a private retailer in the City operated a biweekly market throughout
the 2010 growing season. It remains successful and is currently operated
weekly from spring through fall, and managed by the nonprofi t group,
Common Roots. Th e market has included more than 40 vendors, including
a handful of operations based here in South Burlington.
✦CSA Drop-Off / Pick-Ups. CSA’s are a response to growing demands
for community-supported agriculture programs in the region, wherein
households pre-pay for farm products from local growers and receive regular
deliveries. Th ese programs are so popular that in addition to nearby farms,
several farmers in northern Vermont have established local drop-off points
in the community. Th ese sites allow for the producers to have centralized
distribution and for households to have convenient pick up locations.
✦Private Gardens. Th ere appears to be a growing trend within the City for
households to use garden space for growing fruits and vegetables. Much of
the soil in South Burlington is well suited to growing vegetables. In 2010,
with an update in 2015, the South Burlington City Council also passed an
ordinance allowing for the keeping of chickens in residential back yards.
✦Nonprofi t Organizations, Vermont Fresh Network and Local Retailers. In
recent years, the interest in local agricultural systems has grown substantially.
Th is has been refl ected in South Burlington by the establishment of nonprofi t
community groups such as Common Roots, which is dedicated to teaching
school children how to grow food and prepare food and make healthy food
choices, as well as in the in for-profi t community. An increasing number
of local retailers are carrying Vermont-made products to meet consumer
demand, including some products that are produced or headquartered in
South Burlington. In addition, a handful of area restaurants are members
of the Vermont Fresh Network of business committed to buying locally-
produced fresh foods whenever possible.
✦Changing forms of agriculture for the future include: agroforestry, edible
forest gardens, permaculture design, and rotational grazing.
ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES
Th e role of agriculture in Vermont, and particularly in larger communities such as
South Burlington, is evolving extremely quickly. Not long ago farming and agriculture
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were considered to have a limited role in the City’s future, with the continued operation
of a handful of historic farms but little else. Growing public interest in local goods
has shifted this trend and resulted in the establishment of several new farms, CSA
drop-off s, and a farmers market in recent years. Th e State of Vermont in its Farm to
Plate Strategic Plan has stated: “Ongoing conservation eff orts, especially for prime
agricultural farmland, are essential to the future viability of farming in the State....
zoning ordinances, town and regional plans, and statewide planning legislation must
be reviewed and adapted to encourage local agriculture and food distribution.”
Several opportunities and challenges present themselves with this increased interest in
local food production. Among them:
✦High Cost of Land. Th e high value of land in South Burlington is among
the principal reasons for the decline in large-scale farming operations in the
community over time. Th ese same fi nancial circumstances place pressure
on smaller operations as well, but could be somewhat be mitigated against
through site planning, as in the instance of the South Village community.
Land use planning tools including the use of Transferable Development
Rights in the Southeast Quadrant may help conserve existing farmland by
clustering development and designating agricultural land as non-developable.
✦Agricultural-Residential Interface. Vermont law provides for signifi cant
protection for farming activities in the state. In some cases, confl icts can arise
between agricultural operations and residential activities, including odor,
hours of operations, and deliveries. In South Burlington, the limited scale of
agriculture over the past generation has led to relatively few confl icts. Th ese
issues are beginning to reappear, however, as some residents express interest in
the small-scale keeping of animals and/or sale of products from farm stands.
Th e City will need to continue to monitor this relationship, striving for
harmony.
✦Shortage of Community Gardens. Existing community garden space in
South Burlington is limited and has signifi cant waiting lists. Th e existing
gardens are located in the Southeast Quadrant. At present, there is no
municipal mechanism for the creation or management of new gardens in the
community.
✦Permanence of the Farmers Market. Th e majority of farmers markets in
Vermont are hosted on municipal land by municipal entities or non-profi t
organizations under license from the municipality. Th e recently initiated
South Burlington Market is managed entirely by the private sector (Common
Roots) upon receipt of a permit from the City. Th e future existence of this
market is dependent upon interest from the private sector to continue this
operation and the availability of private open land for its operation. Th e City
may want to explore the possibility of a stronger role and/or partnership in
the operations in the future.
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FUTURE TRENDS AND NEEDS
Regional and national trends suggest that small-scale, locally produced agriculture
will continue to increase in popularity in the coming years. With this will likely
be continued interest in identifying ways in which South Burlington residents and
businesses will have access to local foods. Th e City will need to continue to evolve and
adapt to these community interests, balancing the positive and negative impacts for
its residents.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
✦South Burlington Sustainable Agriculture / Food Security Final Re-
port (2013)
AGRICULTURE OBJECTIVES
Objective 36. Conserve productive farmland and primary agricultural soils
within the City.
Objective 37. Support farmers and entrepreneurs within the City who
produce food for local consumption.
Objective 38. Enable, encourage, and incentivize agriculture and local food
production dispersed throughout the City.
AGRICULTURE STRATEGIES
Strategy 86. Facilitate local farmers’ ability to sell and process their products within the City and use the
Land Development Regulations to incentivize urban agriculture and local food production in
the City.
Strategy 87. Where appropriate, actively use City-owned land for agricultural education, and for urban
agriculture and local food production including community gardens and leasing of land to
commercial farmers.
Strategy 88. Encourage new development, particularly residential or mixed-use projects that include homes
without private yards, to create community garden space.
Strategy 89. Distribute community gardens throughout the City so that gardens are within walking or biking
distance for all City residents.
Strategy 90. Explore state law related to the regulation of small livestock and bees, with the goal of
increasing participation.
Strategy 91. Encourage more value-added food processors who can strengthen and benefi t from the quality
of the Vermont brand to locate in South Burlington and bring more quality jobs to the city.
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2.6. Achievements & Ongoing Actions
The City has a proud history of not only crafting thoughtful Comprehensive
Plans, but implementing them throughout the planning period and
beyond. What was a vision yesterday is a reality today. These important
elements are in progress, and many are even self-sustaining. However,
the importance of these goals should not be lost, nor should the ongoing
actions associated with them be halted. As such, this section is included
to retain them, keep sight of them, and honor their achievements.
GENERAL
✦Continue to refi ne the City’s Land Development Regulations to promote the
Plan’s goals and objectives.
✦Continue to collaborate with the South Burlington School District in master
planning eff orts and work together to regularly assess community facility
needs.
✦Continue to provide a K-12 educational system allows students to meet or
exceed state and national targets for attainment.
✦Continue to work collaboratively with the University of Vermont in master
planning eff orts.
✦Continue to cooperate with the towns of Williston and Shelburne to plan
compatible uses and densities along town boundary lines.
✦Continue to monitor municipal functions, including water and wastewater
facilities, government operations, andschool activities, to be cost and energy
effi cient.
✦Continue to make effi cent use of boards and committees while continuing to
proactively and robustly solicit feedback from all community stakeholders.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
✦Continue to regularly update the City’s All Hazards Mitigation Plan and
Emergency Response Plan.
✦Continue a policy of community policing, a partnership program that
relies on ongoing commitment from all involved to establish and maintain
partnerships with the community and limit the underlying causes of crime.
✦Maintain adequate staffi ng and training levels for fi rst response departments
within the City of South Burlington and continue to develop mutual aid
relationships.
✦Continue to build and reinforce diverse, walkable neighborhoods that off er a
good quality of life by designing and locating new and renovated housing in
a context-sensitive manner.
✦Continue to support aff ordable, elderly and/or higher-density housing
to be located near schools, parks, shopping centers, employment centers,
day care facilities, transportation corridors, emergency services, and public
transportation.
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✦Continue to provide a range of residential zoning densities throughout
the City in accordance with the Land Use chapter of this plan to allow for
continued construction of new housing to meet the needs of the region’s
changing demographics, including at least some districts that foster high-
density housing and some that foster aff ordable moderately-priced single-
family housing.
✦Continue to partner with regional housing providers to develop new aff ordable
housing and continue to expand the range of housing options available at all
price and rent levels in South Burlington.
✦Continue to encourage and consider incentivizing neighborhoods that use a
mix of housing types and integrate diff erent types next to each other, rather
than creating monoculture of one type of housing.
GRAY INFRASTRUCTURE
✦Continue the City’s membership in CCTA to provide continued bus service
in and through South Burlington, and ensure that timely routes and related
infrastructure are available to meet the needs of changing populations. Service
should be concentrated in and link areas of densest development, while still
serving populations with highest needs.
✦Continue to upgrade city-owned lighting to energy effi cient and low
maintenance LED lighting.
✦Continue to implement a complete streets policy that contemplates sidewalks,
crosswalks, crossing signals, bicycle paths, and bicycle lanes as appropriate in
funding applications for new roads and roadway improvements.
✦Continue to partner with private property owners to construct and maintain
stormwater treatment facilities for existing impervious area.
✦Continue to maintain the City’s existing transportation system through
ongoing, strategic investment.
✦Continue to develop infrastructure (largely communications) to allow more
people to work from home.
BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
✦Continue managing stormwater runoff to reduce the eff ects of both erosion
and pollution in reference to the Environmental Protection Agency’s total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs).
✦Continue water system design and improvement planning that would result
in improved fi re protection fl ows and water supply.
✦Continue to require construction and inspect new water lines at standards
that will ensure low long-term maintenance costs and the reduction of non-
revenue water loss.
✦Continue to work with landowners through the development review
process to implement the infrastructure plan for the City’s water supply and
wastewater system.
✦Continue to enforce the fl oodplain regulations to protect fl oodprone areas
and minimize fl uvial erosion.
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✦Continue to annually certify the Emergency Operations Plan.
✦Continue to review the Hazard Mitigation Plan on a regular basis and follow-
up on action steps.
✦Continue to comply with Federal Stormwater permits mandating water
quality improvements. Ensure such improvements are suffi ciently funded
through the Stormwater Utility.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
✦Continue to coordinate state and federal wetlands programs to conserve and
restore Class II and Class III wetlands within the City.
✦Continue to undertake education initiatives, use best management practices,
and comply with requirements for erosion control measures and illicit
discharge monitoring to minimize polluted stormwater runoff , in accordance
with the City’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit.
✦Continue to make use of the City’s Open Space Fund to purchase lands or
related rights, and to maintain these lands, for purposes of conservation of
ecological and wildlife habitat and productive farmland and for purchase of
recreational lands in line with the goals of this Plan.
✦Continue to work towards the elimination of pesticide use in the community.
✦Continue to maintain Veterans Memorial Park as the hub of community
activity and pursue development of the community center and aquatics
facilities proposed in the 1989 Dorset Street Park Master Plan and updated
in the management plan for a community aquatic center approved by the
City Council in 1999.
✦Continue to use techniques available to the City to conserve important and
connected natural areas identifi ed in the City’s Open Space Strategy, Southeast
Quadrant Open Space Plan, and other research.
✦Continue ongoing partnerships in education related to natural areas within
the City.
✦Continue to retain the City’s existing inventory of street trees and increase
both the variety and number of street trees through regular maintenance.
LAND USE PLANNING AREAS
✦Continue to facilitate the use of transfer of development rights within the
SEQ zoning district to achieve the smart growth objectives for the SEQ.
✦Continue to allow a neighborhood commercial center along Dorset Street in
the area of the Chittenden Cider Mill.
✦Maintain Spear Street as a north-south collector using access and traffi c
management techniques and pedestrian pathways and crossings.
✦Continue to allow neighborhood areas with a buildable density of between
four and eight units per acre, using development rights transferred from areas
in the SEQ designated for conservation or protection.
✦Continue to allow a small mixed-use commercial node similar to the R7-NC
district in the vicinity of the IO district, near Hinesburg Road.
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2-123
✦Continue to limit uses in the Industrial-Open Space District to light
manufacturing, research and testing, and offi ce uses, and take steps through
zoning and development review to limit potential adverse impacts on adjacent
natural areas and residential neighborhoods.
✦Continue to ensure that the open space and buff er area provisions are
consistent with the SEQ Concept Plan and lead to the creation of usable,
attractive conserved spaces.
✦Continue to require an integrated mix of housing in the SEQ zoning district.
✦Continue the designation of a three hundred foot buff er around the perimeter
of the Great Swamp and Cheese Factory Swamp as an additional primary
natural area subject to the same limits on disturbance, development or
subdivision.
✦Continue the designation of lands within a three hundred foot buff er area
around the perimeter of the other Primary Natural Areas, and the lands within
Secondary Natural Areas, as a supplemental restricted area with limitations
on development, subdivision, and disturbance.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-1
The quality of life, character, livability and viability of a community
depends, to a very large extent, on its land use pattern. Decisions made
over time on how to use the land greatly infl uence the quality and
livability of our residential neighborhoods, economic viability of our
businesses, transportation effi ciency and safety, accessibility to work,
shopping, and school, quality of air and water, and the overall character
or image of a community. The land use plan is the fundamental element
of the overall comprehensive plan. It provides strong guidance for all
future development and redevelopment in the community and directly
aff ects all other elements contained in the plan.
3.1. Current Land Use
DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
From its rural agricultural beginnings and its establishment as a separate municipality
in 1865, South Burlington has grown and changed to a growing City with an
exceptionally large range and diversity of land uses. Th e City’s growth, and the diversity
of its land use changes, is largely due to its location. South Burlington is “Vermont’s
transportation crossroads.” It is the site of Burlington International Airport and the
busiest exit on Interstate 89. It hosts many growing, high employment industries such
as GE Healthcare, Ben & Jerry’s, and Keurig Green Mountain among others, and is
very close to the state’s other major employment centers of Burlington, Williston and
Essex Junction. Th e University of Vermont, which straddles the Burlington-South
Burlington City line, and the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington
further drive the City’s land use change environment and the mix of uses.
South Burlington’s land use environment is completely unique in Vermont. Th e
City has everything from the state’s major airport to working dairy farms within its
borders, but none of the “…historic settlement pattern of compact village and urban
centers separated by rural countryside” that is the historic “ideal” of Vermont. As a
result, South Burlington’s land use cannot be understood or managed in terms of the
“traditional Vermont landscape”; it is its own community, and it will continue to be
shaped uniquely through the decisions made by its leaders, landowners and citizens.
From 1865 to 1945, the community consisted of a number of large farms. Streets
built as connections to the neighboring City of Burlington were the most infl uential
factor in determining where growth would develop: to the present, the greatest
concentration of housing and commercial development exist along the Route 2
and Route 7 corridors. However, there has never been an historic center to give the
community an economic or visual focal point. Th e post-war suburbanization trends
3: LAND USE PLAN
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
common in the rest of the nation strongly aff ected South Burlington, long before
Vermont’s statewide land use statutes were in place. Predominantly single-family
home neighborhoods such as Mayfair Park, the Orchards and the Airport Parkway
area sprouted along Williston Road and Shelburne Road at the advent of the Fannie
Mae-driven post-war housing boom. Strip commercial development along the same
roads came when greater prosperity and access to vehicles allowed Vermonters to
change their shopping, employment and living patterns. Eventually, as the region’s
economy grew and modernized, demand for single-family housing spilled over into
the Southeast Quadrant and led to the subdivisions that began to appear there in the
late 1980s and 1990s.
Since the 1990s, the City has sought to redirect land development into planned
districts and corridors. Balancing residential and commercial/employment growth at
roughly a 50/50 mix has been a goal since the early 1990s; more recently, this goal
has been expanded to incorporate additional goals such as infi ll and redevelopment
in developed corridors, and creating a greenspace network throughout the City. Th us,
the land use plan in this Comprehensive Plan builds on work done over many years to
expand and refi ne these concepts.
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3-3
3.2. Future Land Use
A. Overview of the City’s Land Use
LAND USE PLANNING BACKGROUND
Future Use of Land. Th e City’s 1985 Comprehensive Plan set in place a number
of policies that attempted to redirect the City’s development pattern into a planned
pattern that would, over time, support greater transit use, create a variety of residential
options, and develop concentrated economic and social activity in local service
centers. Th e plan called for directing development to the City’s existing urban core
via higher densities and infrastructure investment, creating a mixed-use, high density
City center, and encouraging more pedestrian and transit friendly development along
the City’s major arterials. Since then, the City has set out to continue and strengthen
the land use policies contained in the 1985 plan.
Th e 1991 Plan reinforced these goals and added another: to increase eff orts to protect
important natural areas and open spaces, namely in the Southeast Quadrant. Th is
became the main land use theme of the 2001 Comprehensive Plan, which also
recommended preparation of an open space plan, and recommended a complete re-
evaluation of the land use plan for the Southeast Quadrant.
Th ese goals were carried through the 1996 and 2001 plans. Studies and planning work
completed by the Planning Commission from 2000 through 2006 directly carried out
many of these recommendations. An Open Space Strategy was completed in 2001 and
was followed by three Southeast Quadrant studies: Th e Ecological Assessment (2004)
Bird Habitat Study (2004), and a new master land use plan for the SEQ (2005).
Th e 2006 Plan included a revised and expanded chapter on the Southeast Quadrant,
refl ecting the results of the studies and input and complementing the zoning
regulations amendments passed that same year encouraging preservation of the areas
of greatest ecological signifi cance, creating a new village center on Dorset Street
around the Chittenden Cider Mill, and making public investments in a series of
connected parks and paths woven around new, walkable and connected residential
neighborhoods through use of a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program;
continued implementation is strongly supported by this plan as well.
Th e focus on infi ll has also seen great progress in the past decade. Th e Farrell
Street/O’Dell Parkway development, with over 400 new housing units as well as
redevelopment of the old Mall 189 complex, is a model new neighborhood that has
received notice throughout New England. Many smaller infi ll projects were proposed
and built after the Planning Commission completed zoning amendments that reduced
or eliminated minimum lot sizes, frontage requirements and large setbacks, and that
increased the base density in the City’s core and corridors from seven to 12 or 15 units
per acre.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
In the past fi ve years, the City has initiated studies and actions to further support
quality mixed use environments along its primary corridors, including the US Route 2
Corridor Study, Williston Road network analysis, and Shelburne Road corridor studies.
Th e City has also pushed forward with the development of City Center, gaining State
New Town Center, Neighborhood Development Area, and Tax Increment Finance
District designations, advancing the design / reconstruction of Market Street, Garden
Street, and Dumont / City Center Park.
At the same time, the Chamberlin neighborhood adjacent to the Burlington
International Airport has seen some of its housing stock removed due to a noise
mitigation/ home buying program funded by the FAA and administered by the
airport. Establishing a new integrated transition between these two land uses will be a
focus over the next several years.
Th is 2016 Plan seeks to further build upon these core attributes, focusing on
strengthening policies in support of the Goals of the Community listed in this Plan.
General Land Use Objectives
Objective 39. The majority of all new development will occur within the
Shelburne Road, Williston Road, and Kennedy Drive Corridors,
and other areas within the Transit service area.
Objective 40. Prioritize development that occurs within the community into
the higher intensity areas identifi ed within this Plan.
General Land Use Strategies
Strategy 92. Allow phasing on individual projects as needed to ensure that development occurs only in
conformance with the City’s ability to provide services.
Strategy 93. Participate in Act 250 reviews on both local and regional projects which aff ect the City.
Strategy 94. Assure that designated open space areas are consistent with the district (zone) in which they
are located and physically and functionally suitable for their intended use.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-5
B. Future Land Use Plan
Overview. It is the intent of this Plan to maintain an eff ective balance between green
space, natural areas, residential, commercial and industrial development. Th e future
land use plan strives to refl ect the overall goals of the City and to balance the various
objectives and strategies of this document.
Planning Areas. Th is plan designates a series of four quadrants and one district
that share common geography, land use, and transportation patterns, and where the
goals, objectives, and strategies of this plan will require careful consideration. For each
quadrant or district, this chapter provides an overview of existing land use, projected
future land use, key planning issues, and transition areas.
Th e quadrants/districts discussed in this plan include the:
✦Central District, including City Center and surrounding areas;
✦Northwest Quadrant, including areas west of the Airport and north of I-89,
exclusive of the Central District;
✦Northeast Quadrant, including the Burlington International Airport and
areas north of I-89;
✦Southwest Quadrant, including the Shelburne Road corridor;
✦Southeast Quadrant, including areas south of 1-89 and east of Spear Street.
Context and Connections. Th ese sections are intended to complement the more
thorough inventories and analyses of the Green, Grey, Blue, and Social Infrastructure
chapters by highlighting some of the notable opportunities and challenges within
the quadrant or district. Plans and concepts for future use of land in each quadrant
or district is tied closely to the analysis, objectives, and strategies enumerated within
the other chapters of this Plan. Each of the chapters are intended to be read together,
guided by the community-wide goals set forth in this plan.
FUTURE LAND USE MAP
Th e future land use plan is accompanied by a map of the same name (Map #11).
Th is map depicts the fi ve quadrants/district described above, and provides for a series
of broad categories of planned land use and intensity. Th e features on this map are
purposefully blended, so as not to focus on a specifi c parcel or delineation between
land use features. Th at level of specifi city is left to the Offi cial Zoning Map.
Future Land Use Categories Land use intensity can be diffi cult to defi ne, is almost
always relative, and can often be controversial. It is often erroneously interchanged
with the concept of density, particularly as a measure of housing units per acre. Instead,
intensity is a refl ection of many measurable and immeasurable points, including
types of uses, number of residents, square footage, massing and heights of buildings,
clustering and lot coverages, proximity to roadways, type and frequency of roadways.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Th e future land use map and this plan recognize and respect the limitations of
compressing many diff erent, distinct areas of such a diverse community into only fi ve
land use categories. Th ere are well over a dozen distinct neighborhoods, and more
than 50 current zoning districts in the City. As such, the future land use map is not
meant to replace a more detailed zoning map, defi ne residential building density, or
enumerate the specifi c fi gures for other factors of land development intensity, but
rather to provide guidance to the related Land Development Regulations, such that
the distribution and relative eff ect of these developments is in keeping with the City’s
overall goals.
Th e Future Land Use Map is a refl ection of these goals and has been arranged into
the following relative categories. Th ese should not be construed as absolute, but rather
taken as parameters within which land use is approached.
✦Very low intensity, principally open space. Th ese lands emphasize
conservation, water quality, and wildlife protection. While development is
not inherently prohibited, these areas refl ect the lowest building densities in
the City. Uses other than open space and agriculture should have restrictive
regulations and minimize their footprint. Primary and secondary natural
resources are given priority and disturbance is to be carefully avoided or
minimized. Land development regulations should provide ease of approval
for open spaces, including agricultural land and related uses. Roadways and
other breaks should be minimized and carefully planned to avoid negative
impacts to wildlife corridors.
✦Lower intensity, principally residential. Fostering a strong sense of
neighborhood, these areas are primarily residential in use, with number of
units and size of buildings to be among the lowest in the City. Open spaces
are accessible and thoughtfully arranged as community gathering places, and
roadways should be largely limited to local traffi c with low volumes. While
residential dwellings need not be all detached, the general character and
appearance is that of a single family neighborhood. Building heights refl ect
this character. Small lots and small buildings are encouraged. Commercial
uses are limited to those serving a small or local population. More intense
commercial or industrial uses should be avoided.
✦Medium intensity, residential to mixed use. Th ese areas support an
increased diversity of housing options, with increased building density
and slightly increased building heights over lower density residential areas.
Housing should be clustered, with residents off ered shared amenities and
shared open spaces. Otherwise, these lands are similar in characteristics to
the Low Intensity Primarily Residential lands. Th is category may incorporate
limited amounts of non-residential uses and activities where the context is
appropriate.
✦Medium to higher intensity, principally non-residential. Intended
to foster high quality jobs, these lands provide for medium to large scale
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-7
industrial, educational, mechanical and offi ce park environments, among
other related uses. Th eir aesthetics should refl ect quality design and promote
South Burlington as a welcoming place to work and do business. Residential
uses are largely discouraged. Land coverage provides for suffi cient green
infrastructure, and respect primary natural resources, with slightly relaxed
controls for wider roadways, increased parking, and lot coverages. Multi-
modal transport services these areas. Development here should be respectful
of lower intensity uses where they abut.
✦Medium to higher intensity, mixed use. Th ese lands are intended to be
the most compact and most intensely developed in the City and support
employment. Residential densities are higher than other designations, as a
matter of allowance and as a goal. Housing options are varied, but focus
primarily on multi-family dwellings. Uses should be mixed within the block,
and mixed within buildings whenever possible. Infrastructure is effi cient, and
transportation is emphasized towards pedestrians and cyclists and provision
of large scale non-shared parking should be discouraged. Open spaces are
part of the public realm. Building heights, lot coverages, and other building
dimensions are higher than other future land use areas.
Together, these broad categories are intended to encompass key issues and areas
addressed in this Comprehensive Plan and provide an overall framework for
implementation of the plan. Land use policies for these areas are refl ected under the
objectives and strategies of the Plan and enacted through the various tools described
in the implementation section of the Plan and elsewhere.
Categories purposefully blend into one another and in some cases blend into a white
background. Th ese blended areas include transitional areas within the City, where the
land development regulations and other policy documents of the City may specify
tools for eff ectively managing changes in intensity, land use patterns, resources, or
transportation patterns.
Finally, a series of themes that cross through multiple neighborhoods, such as mixed
use corridors, transition areas, and natural resource corridors discussed in the text are
depicted on the map.
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C. Land Use Planning Areas
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Area Included. Th e Central District encompasses the planned civic, social, and
economic core of the City and includes a diverse mix of commercial corridors,
transportation systems, multi-family housing, schools, undeveloped land, and
designated parks. It includes the Williston Road corridor from I-89 to Hinesburg
Road, and portions of the Dorset Street and Hinesburg Road corridors north of
Kennedy Drive.
Current Land Use. Th e Central District includes an eclectic diversity of land uses,
predominantly commercial, that partially interact with one another. Developed largely
as commercial and employment centers to serve nearby residential neighborhoods and
travelers beginning in the 1940s, this area slowly evolved into a loose “center” of South
Burlington. Today, this includes three schools and related grounds, City Hall, Fire
Station #1, retail, offi ce, and medical establishments along Williston Road and Dorset
Street, the University Mall and Blue Mall, and a limited number of multi-family
Planned State Designation Areas - Central District
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-9
residential homes. Immediately surrounding the District are several residential
neighborhoods.
Th ese distinct uses are connected together via the three principal arterials in the area
and a pair of natural areas, but virtually no secondary streets. Th ese principal arterials
serve both local and regional traffi c. Th e result is a “core” to the community that is
both closely linked via geography and transportation and also separated from itself in
terms of pedestrian activity or shared sense of community.
Future Land Use. Th e vision for the Central District is to eff ectively blend existing
neighborhoods, commercial areas, natural areas, underdeveloped properties, and
undeveloped lands into the true downtown of South Burlington. Th is downtown will
provide increased connectivity through new cross streets; support an integrated mix of
housing, retail, and employment; and be a primary focus point for compact, walkable
development within the City.
Th is area, and specifi cally the areas along both sides of Dorset Street, Williston Road,
San Remo Drive, and along the existing and planned Market Street and Garden
Street, has been an area of intense community eff ort and energy. Th is area is intended
to not only create a focal point for the City by unifying the entire district through
infi ll development, but also to support a signifi cant portion of the local demand for
commercial development and multi-family housing in a compact, sustainable manner.
South Burlington’s City Center initiative, which encompasses much of this District,
will support this objective by establishing and enhancing public buildings and
gathering spaces, and building or reconstructing a series of streets that would connect
to the principal corridors in the area. Combined, these provide opportunities for
housing and employment in an area well served by public transit and existing public
utilities, and create linkages to existing neighborhoods in the area.
Th e Williston Road, Dorset Street and San Remo Drive sections of the Central District
contain signifi cant opportunities for redevelopment. Initially built as low-density,
strip- and mall-type commercial development (and light industrial development
along San Remo Drive), these areas are witnessing a transformation toward more
compact development. Over the past 30 years, zoning in the area has been updated
to encourage more mixed use, walkable development. In 2015, the City is in the
fi nal stages of adopting entirely new regulations in the area that focus on quality
built form, a reduced emphasis on land uses, and a streamlined review process.
Th is is being coupled with opportunities for Tax Increment Financing investments
through public-private partnerships to support high quality, urban scale development.
Eventually strip-development will be replaced or fi lled in with higher value, compact
development, more effi ciently using land in this core area and supporting walkability
throughout.
Th e City has also sought and received a New Town Center and Neighborhood
Development Area designations. Th ese are important tools to support compact,
pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infi ll development. Th e boundaries of these districts
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should be regularly evaluated and modifi ed as appropriate to best meet the future
needs of the community.
A limited amount of undeveloped land encompasses adjacent Market Street and the
future Garden Street. Th is area represents an additional opportunity to link together
parts of the Central District and provide further opportunities for compact, infi ll
development.
Th e intent for this entire area – developed and undeveloped – is to create an
environment that has all of the elements, functions, programing and features to
become South Burlington’s principal downtown area.
Similarly, the intent of this Plan is to integrate this area seamlessly into the fabric of its
adjacent areas – schools, neighborhoods, and transportation corridors. Th e existence
of these surrounding areas represents a built-in market for and geographic delineation
to the City Center area as a whole. Th e conceptual plans for City Center do envision
the development of a portion of the Central School lot, or allow for a future closure
and redevelopment of the site as a whole. Th is concept of closing the school will need
to be the subject of substantial public discourse.
Th e community has invested heavily in the City Center area in recent years. Th e
concept for a City Center dates back into the 1980s, as noted in the introduction to
this Chapter, but has seen a signifi cant uptick in the past fi ve years. Projects underway
include:
✦Design and construction of Market Street (including permitting related to
Federal funding);
✦Design of Garden Street, to connect the Healthy Living/Trader Joe’s area
to Midas Drive, Al’s French Frys and White Street and improve nearby
intersections;
✦Design and construction of stormwater facilities to improve water quality in
the area;
✦Design and construction of enhancements to Dumont Park (City Center
Park);
✦Completion of a need analysis and location recommendation for public
facilities (Library, City Hall, and Recreation Center);
✦Development of new, streamlined Land Development Regulations for the
area which are inspired by form based coding and include new open space
requirements;
✦Receipt of New Town Center and Neighborhood Development Area
designations from the State of Vermont in support of the downtown;
✦Adoption of a Tax Increment Finance District to allow for public-private
partnerships in fostering high quality, mixed-use, pedestrian-scale urban
development;
✦Creation of standards to require aff ordable housing as a component of all
larger-scale residential development in the area;
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-11
✦Development of tools to support an effi cient, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit-
focused transportation system to meet the needs of the downtown; and,
✦A transportation network analysis of the Williston Road corridor that aims
to implement future transportation improvements to meet the demands of
additional development.
Key Planning Issues. Important planning considerations in the Central District
relate to its auto-dependent, strip-development physical layout.
✦Transition from Suburban to Urban Downtown. Perhaps the most
signifi cant area of focus, time, and attention for all participants in the
establishment of the City Center area is the transformation of the area from
a largely retail, auto-dependent, suburban environment to one that functions
as a full downtown. Th e planning challenges included in this transformation
center of how to meet the needs of today’s businesses, residents, employees,
and shoppers while at the same time supporting the changes in the physical
environment that will be needed for the downtown to function eff ectively. Th is
includes zoning standards, transportation systems, parking environments,
and deployment of community resources that support this transition.
✦Traffi c, Parking, Pedestrian Accessibility. Traffi c along Williston Road
and Dorset Street is generally heavy and can exceed the system’s capacity
at peak hours during some seasonal periods. Th is is due to a number of
factors, including the presence of I-89’s Exit 14 at the north end of Dorset
Street, the arterial design of the roadway network that does not allow for
any distribution of vehicles, and the heavy demands put forward by the
University Mall property and other retailers in the area at peak seasons/
hours, all in a predominantly auto-dependent environment. Th ese challenges
are exacerbated by a built environment that has favored surface parking in
front of buildings, improving convenience for drivers but discouraging all
other modes of transport.
Th ese challenges are being addressed incrementally by various partners and
parties. In 2009, the Chittenden County Transportation Authority redesigned
its bus service in the area, creating a new route centered on the Williston
Road corridor that off ers 15-minute headways at peak hours. Zoning in the
area, meanwhile, is transitioning to encourage more pedestrian-friendly site
design. Additional service is under discussion and will be an integral part
of a successful downtown. New streets north and south of Williston Road
are proposed and planned to create better connectivity for all users, improve
safety at state identifi ed high crash locations, make more people-friendly
environments, and relieve pressure from key intersections. New street design
standards and specifi c roadway improvements are under development that
support the complete streets approach.
Planning for City Center includes the adoption and approval from the State for
a Tax Increment Finance District in the area to support needed transportation
infrastructure improvements, such as the redevelopment of Market Street,
Williston Road streetscape improvements, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
over I-89 connecting City Center to the residential areas and University of
Vermont campus, and structured parking.
It is also recognized that the City will have a greater tolerance level for slower-
moving vehicle traffi c in the vicinity of City Center. Compact, pedestrian-
friendly, urban areas are not intended to prioritize high-speed, pass-through
vehicular movement.
✦Public Amenities and Open Space. Th e community vision for City Center
calls for the establishment of one or more public amenities to serve as a
focal point for the community. Th e lack of any such amenities – aside from
informal walking trails through Dumont Park – is a missing link in the core
of the City. Recreational facilities are available at the schools in the area, but
there is no formal public gathering area save for the bandshell at Veterans
Memorial Park, located nearly 1.5 miles south of the Dorset Street/Williston
Road intersection, and Jaycee Park within the Chamberlin neighborhood.
Planning for City Center includes a new public library, City hall, and/or
recreation center, a central gathering place and public events locale, as well as
open space in the vicinity of Potash Brook and walking trails that would lead
across the Brook to Dumont Park. In addition to these, gateway artwork and
gathering points are envisioned for the area. Th e gathering place is planned to
be in the range of ½ to 2 acres in size, be located near public facilities, clearly
accessible to the public, and bear a close relationship and interaction with
adjacent development.
Th e presence of these community facilities is an integral component of this
area. Th ey will transform a retail area into a true downtown. Th e use of Tax
Increment Financing to support these facilities was approved by the Vermont
Economic Progress Council in recognition of the critical role, economic and
social, that community facilities play in a successful downtown.
Further to the south, a signifi cant open space area exists to the east of the high
school. Maintenance of this natural area and walking trail system should be
continued.
✦Placemaking. Th e development of City Center is a unique opportunity to
enable a place- to make a ‘there’ here. Placemaking will foster the creation of
a destination built from community interests, of the community’s goals, and
for a true community destination. City Center will become the front porch
for South Burlington- a place to meet neighbors, greet visitors, and inspire
pride in the community. Th is will include high quality of design on buildings
facing public streets, new programmable public spaces and facilities, attractive
streetscapes, connectivity to nearby neighborhoods, and community events
that regularly attract people to the downtown.
✦Supplying Energy Sustainably and Reliably. Th e development of the
City Center requires energy to heat and light area buildings and to power
transportation systems. Th is new development also off ers the opportunity
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-13
to defi ne land use and transportation patterns and design new structures and
service them in a way that minimize energy supply costs.
Th e enactment of Act 89 by the State legislature strengthens the statewide
Energy Code that governs new construction and major renovations of
existing buildings. Th e statute off ers the City the opportunity to adopt a
“stretch code” that would require construction quality that will reduce energy
costs for building owners for many years in the future. Redevelopment
allows for new buildings with reduced energy costs and strengthens the ability
of the area to continue operations during power outages that result from
severe storms and other emergency events. Building design and site planning
under consideration off ers the opportunity to provide for on-site solar energy
supply that fi ts with the development of a City Center integrated energy
supply system.
✦Stormwater Treatment. Among the most signifi cant challenges faced by the
Central District is the logistics of suffi cient stormwater treatment. Much of
the area was developed prior to the advent of suffi cient treatment systems,
and includes signifi cant paved areas. Two watersheds – Centennial Brook and
Potash Brook – cross the area. Both are listed on the State’s Impaired Waters
list for stormwater.
Th e state, City, and individual property owners have begun to work on these
issues collectively. Th e City received a $1.1 million grant from the Army
Corps of Engineers to work with private property owners in the development
of a stormwater system to treat run-off from the Williston Road area east
of Hinesburg Road. In addition, individual property owners have begun re-
designs of existing facilities to comply with rules established by the Vermont
Agency of Natural Resources.
✦Housing Aff ordability. Th e Central District provides the community with
the opportunity to meet a signifi cant portion of the anticipated demand for
housing in the coming years. Th e challenge with this will be in fostering the
development of housing that is both aff ordable to a mix of households and
also meets their needs as families. Th e compact nature of the area, combined
with high land costs due to its location, indicates that multi-family housing
is the most viable form of residential development for the area. Multi-family
housing can be friendly to households of various types and incomes, but
relies on the availability of public amenities such as safe and accessible parks
and services nearby. Th e City will likely need to continue to make use of
incentives and regulatory tools to foster aff ordability in this area.
✦Focus of Development. Th e vision for City Center includes a goal of
encouraging development in this area in order to make use of existing built
areas, already served by substantial public infrastructure, and to relieve some
pressure on open spaces, natural areas, and farmlands elsewhere in the City
and the region. Th e establishment of a mixed-use area will serve to meet
this goal by creating conditions for development to take place in a compact,
pedestrian-friendly environment. It is a greater challenge, however, to couple
this with initiatives to conserve land elsewhere in the community.
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Th e pattern of development in the City over the past 25 years has been a
mix of some compact, “infi ll-style” development – such as at Farrell Street –
together with substantial continued development on the fringes of the City,
such as along Allen Road, Lime Kiln Road, and in the Southeast Quadrant.
Th e community will need to continue to explore tools to focus development in
the core areas of the City, while continuing to meet objectives of aff ordability
and family-friendliness.
Central District Objectives
Objective 41. Create a cohesive, diverse, dynamic and people-oriented
City Center with a strong identity and “sense of place” that
incorporates harmonious design, an appropriate mix of
residential and non-residential uses and public amenities that
complement adjoining neighborhoods.
Objective 42. Establish vibrant streetscapes, civic spaces, public art and public
facilities in the Central District and City Center.
Objective 43. Reserve and establish open space areas for public enjoyment,
natural resource conservation, and stormwater management,
including a greenbelt along Potash Brook.
Objective 44. Complete master planning for City Center to create opportunities
for low impact stormwater management that incorporates
sustainable design and green infrastructure.
Objective 45. Conserve and protect existing nearby residential areas.
Objective 46. Minimize overall demand for parking in the Central District
through design, regulations, and investments that foster
pedestrian, bicycle, and transit use and provide effi cient,
aesthetically pleasing shared parking options.
Objective 47. Promote interconnectivity and integration of public facilities
including schools and school facilities open to the public with
surrounding neighborhoods, to include safe routes for children
and neighborhood residents to walk and bicycle to school, a
public library, recreation services, and other city services.
Central District Strategies
Strategy 95. Maintain Dorset Street and Williston Road as important transportation corridors for all users
and reduce curb cuts.
Strategy 96. Maintain Hinesburg Road from Market Street to Kennedy Drive as a residential corridor.
Strategy 97. Develop a centrally located, well-designed public gathering space to serve as the focus of the
new City Center.
Strategy 98. Include local residents, businesses and property owners in the design of public facilities.
Strategy 99. Enhance Dumont Park within the City Center as a forested nature park that enhances and
ecologically supports City Center development, and provides public green space for passive
recreational use, to include a linking, interconnected public path and trail network.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-15
Strategy 100. Designate a protected greenbelt along the length of Tributary 3 of Potash Brook throughout City
Center of suffi cient area and width to restore, protect and enhance water quality, stream channel
and wetland functions, and adjoining riparian areas; to manage and treat additional urban
runoff ; and which accommodates compatible recreational use of the stream corridor, including
planned public boardwalk crossings.
Strategy 101. Work with property owners and developers to implement stream channel, stream fl ow
and wetland restoration plans for Tributary 3 of Potash Brook, as required for stormwater
management and mitigation to improve water quality and meet total maximum daily loads
(TMDLs) for the brook.
Strategy 102. Construct new City Hall, library, and/or Recreation Center, and support the location of new
State and Federal Offi ces and post offi ce (retail or offi ce portion only) in centralized, walkable
environments in the Central District.
Strategy 103. Regularly update the City’s Offi cial Map to include the most up-to-date plans for streets, parks,
recreation paths, other civic spaces and utility infrastructure, including public paths, greenways
and civic spaces planned for public acquisition and development within City Center. Pursue public
acquisition of mapped facilities through public dedication, and as available funding allows.
Strategy 104. In addition to the use of public funds and TIF District revenues, seek funding and explore public-
private partnerships to provide necessary public amenities including green and civic spaces,
sidewalks, trees, outdoor furniture and lighting, parking and public transit amenities.
Strategy 105. Develop an effi cient, convenient and attractive transportation and parking plan to serve the
center area and fund and maintain public parking facilities and walking, biking, and transit
amenities.
Strategy 106. Use design review and/or form-based coding to promote the development of aesthetically
pleasing, pedestrian-focused and highly functional environments.
Strategy 107. Minimize off -street surface parking.
Strategy 108. Evaluate zoning along Hinesburg Road north of Market Street and other areas adjacent to
neighborhoods to foster a harmonious transition in land uses.
Strategy 109. Complete construction for the Federally- funded Market Street Improvements and other projects
listed within the City’s Tax Increment Finance District Plan and Capital Improvement Plan.
Strategy 110. Support the establishment of a Main Street-style, community-based organization to nurture,
promote and otherwise support City Center as a South Burlington community and downtown
center.
*********************************************
NORTHWEST QUADRANT
Area Included. Th e Northwest Quadrant is a geographically mixed area of the
City that consists of multiple separate and distinct residential neighborhoods linked
together – and separated by – arterial roadways and natural features. It is bounded
by Burlington to the west, I-89 to the south, the Burlington International Airport
to the northeast, and industrial/open space areas to the east. Th e Central District is
contained within this larger Northwest Quadrant.
Current Land Use. Th e Northwest Quadrant consists predominantly of residential
neighborhoods interspersed with a handful of large parcels of open land and dissected by
several major transportation facilities. It is home to an array of distinct neighborhoods,
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including Mayfair Park, Pine Tree Terrace, Chamberlin, O’Brien Farm, Spear Street,
East Terrace, Valley Ridge, Tree Tops, Twin Oaks, Winding Brook, and others.
Th e majority of the neighborhoods north of the Potash Brook, which parallels
Kennedy Drive, consist of single- and two-family homes. Th e majority of these homes
were built between 1945 and 1970, with a small number of infi ll sites, and one full
neighborhood, Quarry Ridge, built since that time. Neighborhoods along Kennedy
Drive were built beginning in the 1970s and include primarily multi-family homes of
varying types, with a small handful of exceptions.
Th e Northwest Quadrant is home to a handful of largely undeveloped properties.
Th ese include, notably, land between Williston Road and Patchen Road, adjacent to
I-89 that includes two ravines; land on both sides of Old Farm Road; a signifi cant
wetland complex that houses the main branch of the Potash Brook north of Kennedy
Drive; and lands belonging to the University of Vermont along Spear Street that are
used for both agricultural and conservation purposes.
Finally, the Quadrant is somewhat characterized by the transportation network and
associated commercial strips that divide it. Key among these are Williston Road (which
links the Chamberlin and Mayfair Park neighborhoods), Kennedy Drive (which links
several distinct neighborhoods), and I-89, which separates the East Terrace and Spear
Street neighborhoods from the rest of the City.
Future Land Use. Several of the oldest neighborhoods in South Burlington are located
in the Northwest Quadrant. It is the intent of this Plan to maintain these neighborhoods
and their housing stock and protect them from commercial encroachment, while at
the same time supporting the evolving needs of its residents, improving pedestrian
connectivity and access to services, and allowing for infi ll development that is in
keeping with the existing built environment.
Th is Quadrant will always be both tied together and split by transportation arteries that
serve local and regional purposes. It is the intent of this plan to allow for the continued
regional use of these arteries, in a manner that is also conducive to safe access and use
by residents and visitors on foot, on bicycle, and via public transportation.
A key interface of the residential neighborhoods and transportation arteries exists along
Williston Road. Th is corridor serves multiple purposes and is proposed to continue
to do so. Th e section of Williston Road west of Hinesburg Road is located within
the Central District. Th e section immediately east of Hinesburg Road is primarily
residential and should continue to be used in this manner. East of Victory Drive, land
uses are planned to include a mix of residential (on the north side) and non-residential
(on the south side). East of Mills Avenue, non-residential uses are programmed for
both sides of the road. In all of these areas, development should create inviting spaces
for residents in nearby neighborhoods to walk to services along Williston Road.
Neighborhoods along Kennedy Drive have traditionally kept a heavily landscaped face
to the street. Th is should remain as future neighborhoods are established in the area.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-17
Remaining undeveloped areas provide an opportunity for multiple uses, including
housing at a density and design that is transit-supportive, recreational lands, and
natural areas. Limited neighborhood commercial areas are envisioned. Finally, it is
the intent of this quadrant to integrate with surrounding planning areas, notably the
Central District and Northeast Quadrant.
In 2015, the City, in collaboration with the CCRPC, School District, and Airport,
initiated a Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Vision & Plan project. Th e objectives
are to establish a process for productive communications between the airport and the
neighborhood; facilitate development of a neighborhood land use/transportation plan
that strengthens the neighborhood, seeks to retain aff ordability of housing, relates the
neighborhood to development of City Center, continued reinvestment along Williston
Road, implementation of SB School District plans, and any planned transportation
improvements in the vicinity of the project area, and results in an improvement plan
for parks, streetscape, and other public amenities. Other goals of the project include
identifying multimodal transportation connections/improvements, both transitional
and long-term, that enhance neighborhood mobility and livability, while maintaining
effi cient ground access to the airport, and developing, with collaborative input, a
vision for the neighborhood that can help shape the reuse of Noise Land as described
in the Part 150 Noise Land Inventory and Re-Use Plan the airport develops every fi ve
years in compliance with Airport Improvement Program Grant conditions.
Key Planning Issues. While for the most part the Northwest Quadrant’s built
environment is stable, its extremities have seen substantial changes and this area
is likely to continue to evolve, as will the demographics of its residents and their
associated needs. Among the key planning issues facing this area:
✦Maintenance of Existing Housing and Neighborhoods. As the fi rst of the
neighborhoods in this Quadrant approach 60 years of age, the demands placed
upon both the housing stock and the neighborhoods as a whole are changing.
Household composition has evolved, with greater demands for space within
buildings and for pedestrian access to nearby services. New housing has been
added in both new neighborhoods and as infi ll within existing neighborhoods.
In many cases, this new housing has been well integrated into existing areas,
but not universally. As demand remains strong for housing in the core of
Chittenden County, these neighborhoods will likely continue to see interest
in infi ll development. Th is can be a positive force, providing new families
with the opportunity to make use of schools in the area and strengthening
neighborhood connections, but should be done in a manner that eff ectively
integrates new with old.
✦Aff ordability. Much of the more moderately-priced housing in South
Burlington is located in the Northwest Quadrant, within the multi-family
and single-family neighborhoods. Th is housing is generally relatively small in
scale and compact with its neighbors. Th ese attributes are among the chief
reasons for their relative aff ordability. Th e challenges of aff ordability persist,
however, with some households struggling to retain their homes while other
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
homes are removed by the Burlington International Airport as part of an
FAA-funded noise mitigation program.
Th e community will need to continue to work towards creative solutions to
these challenges, allowing for new, similarly aff ordable housing to take the
place of what is being lost, and giving households opportunities to stay in
their neighborhoods through multiple stages of life.
✦Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure. Th e principal streets that bisect the
Northwest Quadrant carry some of heaviest traffi c loads in the State. Th ese
include Williston Road and Kennedy Drive, and to a lesser extent Airport
Parkway, Spear Street, and Patchen Road. Of these, only Kennedy Drive
contains full amenities for pedestrian and cyclists needs. Th e remainder can
be diffi cult to cross at times and do not always contain sidewalks. Local roads
serving these neighborhoods contain relatively low volumes of traffi c but are
in some cases perceived as being unsafe because of a lack of sidewalks, roadway
designs that encourage high speed vehicular traffi c, a lack of additional
alternatives, or all of the above.
Th e neighborhoods within the Northwest Quadrant are undergoing an
incremental transition in terms of amenities and safety. New sidewalks
are being planned for areas serving schools. A handful of new streets are
planned to provide both residents and visitors with alternatives for accessing
commercial areas. Ongoing public education is needed to remind drivers of
the need to be attentive and respectful within residential areas.
✦Neighborhood Connectivity. Th e historic development of each of the
distinct neighborhoods within the Northwest Quadrant have been just
that: distinct and separate. Connections – in terms of streets, walking paths,
recreation paths, etc. - are limited in both number and function. Th is has
led, on a positive note, to a strong sense of community in these areas, but
also to isolation from both other neighbors and from services and stores.
While several of these neighborhoods are pedestrian-friendly within their
own confi nes, they face signifi cant obstacles in reaching nearby amenities.
A policy of establishing street and recreation path connections in conjunction
with new development has been followed for several years throughout the
City. In this area, the handful of newer roads have been connected, but the
overall problem remains in place. Th e plan’s future transportation map does
include a series of future potential connections in the community, notably
an east-west street parallel to Williston Road on its north side from Patchen
Road towards Dorset Street, and a street connecting Eldridge Street to Old
Farm Road. Th e map also illustrates additional recreation path connections in
the northern part of the City, notably in the Airport Parkway area, connecting
to the Country Club Estates neighborhood on the north side of the airport.
✦Public Amenities and Open Space. Th e presence of neighborhood parks
and open space is spotty throughout the Northwest Quadrant. Only one
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-19
formal developed park, Jaycee, exists, though three additional school sites
are either within or adjacent to the Quadrant. Th e lack of public parks is
especially apparent amongst multi-family neighborhoods, where private
facilities were constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, serving their immediate
needs but off ering no opportunities for wider use or interaction.
Larger tracts of open space exist in certain instances, notably along the Potash
Brook. Other areas, such as the headwaters of the Centennial Brook, have not
been conserved in the same manner. Future development – especially of new
neighborhoods – should incorporate public amenities such as parks
Transition Areas. Northwest Quadrant transition areas include:
✦Burlington International Airport. Among the most challenging issues
facing the Northwest Quadrant – and the City as a whole – is the interface
between the Burlington International Airport and the adjacent Chamberlin
neighborhood. Th is issue is discussed in great detail in the transportation
chapter of the Plan, but it a topic that crosses multiple subject areas. Over
the course of several years - from the late 1990s projected through towards
2020 - the Airport is carrying out a plan to purchase noise-impacted homes
from homeowners who approach them with a request to sell. Th ese homes,
approximately 180 in total, are located within a noise contour line of 65
decibels (average day-night). Th ese homes, once sold to the Airport, are
required to be removed or relocated. Th e result is a loss of a portion of one of
the City’s historic neighborhoods, the loss of housing stock within the City,
and a challenge of determining how best to make use of the land in the future.
Th e airport has been developing an update to its master plan that includes a
vision of the future use of its land. Several community meetings have been
held in which the Airport and community have discussed a combination of
green space to buff er the neighborhood from the Airport, and additional
space for future Airport facilities and access. Th e issue of how to best use
this land in the future, and whether street connections should be preserved
or curtailed in the future remains an ongoing discussion amongst all those
involved.
Th e repercussions of the growth in use at the airport extend beyond the
immediate properties, however. Several City streets – Airport Parkway, Airport
Drive, White Street, Patchen Road, and Kirby Road among them – serve to
both provide access to the Airport and to connect adjacent municipalities with
Williston Road. Th e result is increased traffi c on these traditionally residential
streets. As the City considers how to meet transportation and land use needs
of the airport and City, care should be given to minimizing through-traffi c on
purely residential roads.
✦Campus Interface. Th e Northwest Quadrant includes the University of
Vermont in two areas – along Spear Street and along Patchen Road. In both
cases, residential neighborhoods abut University lands.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Th e Spear Street, East Terrace, and Quarry Hill neighborhoods in particular
are tied to the University, in that they are physically close to its athletic
facilities and student housing, and include a fair amount of homes used by
students and faculty within the neighborhood itself. In 2010, a building on
Quarry Hill Road was leased by Champlain College for freshman housing on
a temporary basis while new facilities are built adjacent to the campus.
Th e interface in this area is direct and should be assessed to foster ongoing
mutual benefi t. South of these neighborhoods the University owns land on
the east side of Spear street that has been used for agricultural research. Th e
City and University should work together to develop long range plans for
this area.
Along Patchen Road, the University has held discussions with both Burlington
and South Burlington regarding potential faculty housing being constructed
in the area. Accessibility is among the most signifi cant challenges in this area
in both communities.
Th e presence of the University and College in these areas presents both
opportunities and challenges for the community. It is important that the
neighborhoods adjacent to the properties continue to thrive and to meet the
needs of both residents and students.
Northwest Quadrant Objectives
Objective 48. Maintain existing aff ordable diverse residential neighborhoods
and access to neighborhood parks and other amenities.
Objective 49. Allow for infi ll development, including parks and civic
spaces, that serves and supports the character of existing
neighborhoods, with a focus on the replacement of small
single-family aff ordable homes that have been bought and
demolished under the Burlington International Airport’s
“Property Acquisition Plan” in association with its adopted
Noise Compatibility Program.
Objective 50. Create transitions from the Burlington International Airport in
areas identifi ed for redevelopment that serve or buff er nearby
neighborhoods; establish a community vision for the future of
this area.
Objective 51. Ensure continued compatibility of University land uses with
existing development and conservation patterns.
Northwest Quadrant Strategies
Strategy 111. Refi ne the City’s Land Development Regulations to allow for appropriately-scaled renovation of
existing homes and infi ll development.
Strategy 112. Review the City’s Land Development Regulations to encourage or require development along
Kennedy Drive to include signifi cant landscaping and/or forested blocks along the roadway in
keeping with existing patterns of development.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-21
Strategy 113. Seek opportunities to develop additional public parkland in the Northwest Quadrant using tools
available to the City, including the Offi cial Map, Impact Fees, and development requirements.
Strategy 114. Strive to protect existing neighborhoods from incompatible commercial encroachment and
traffi c disruption through the Land Development Regulations.
Strategy 115. Maintain the section of Williston Road between Cottage Grove Avenue and Mills Avenue as a
residential corridor.
Strategy 116. Complete Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning project and revise the Comprehensive
Plan with goals and vision for the future.
*********************************************
NORTHEAST QUADRANT
Areas Included. Th e Northeast Quadrant includes a substantial portion of the City,
stretching from the Ethan Allen Industrial Park east of Lime Kiln Road to I-89. It
includes the Burlington International Airport, the eastern portion of Williston Road,
Technology Park, Tilley Drive, and bears a close relationship to land uses on the south
side of I-89 along Meadowland Drive and Hinesburg Road.
Current Land Use. Present use of land in the Northeast Quadrant is predominately
employment-based, with an emphasis on light industry north of the Airport, business-
supply retail along Williston Road, offi ces along Kimball Avenue and Community
Drive, medical facilities along Tilley Drive, and a range of uses along Meadowland
Drive and Hinesburg Road. Southern sections of this Quadrant include a mix of open
land and businesses. In the center of the Quadrant is the Burlington International
Airport, which includes commercial and private aviation facilities, Federal military
facilities, and airport-related businesses.
With the exception of the Airport, which serves as a transportation hub, much of the
remainder of the quadrant is automobile dependent. Recent upgrades in bus service
from the Chittenden County Transit Authority have enhanced alternatives along
Williston Road and provided limited service to Community Drive, but in general the
land use pattern and transportation infrastructure relies on vehicular transportation.
Recreation paths have supplemented this network in the Community Drive and Tilley
Drive areas.
As noted above, the southern portion of the Quadrant includes a handful of relatively
large properties that remain as open land but which are zoned as Industrial-Open
Space and Mixed Industrial and Commercial in the vicinity of Hinesburg Road and
Kimball Ave, respectively. Th e Industrial/Open Space zoning district was designed
to provide land for high quality, large lot industries and offi ces whose buildings and
operations are consistent with a location in an environmentally healthy and visually
sensitive area adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Th e Lane Press, Dynapower,
Verizon, CBA and several other businesses all operate within the IO district.
Th e Quadrant also includes a handful of residential areas, notably the Country Club
Estates neighborhood north of the airport, two small neighborhoods along Shunpike
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Road and Millham Court, and the historically rural stretch of homes along Old Farm
Road.
Agricultural and open space activities also continue to play a role in the Quadrant,
notably at the northern end of the City, along the Winooski River fl oodplain, along
the Muddy Brook, and on both sides of Old Farm Road.
Future Land Use. Th e pattern of land use and development in the Northeast Quadrant
has focused on businesses which require larger properties, can be compatible with the
operations of an airport, and/or which may not be easily compatible with residential
areas. Future use of land in developed areas should continue to focus on employers
and ancillary services. It should also continue to emphasize uses that are less critical
within the core of the City. In addition, future redevelopment should make use of
improved transit services. Future development, especially in the Tilley Drive/Kimball
Ave/Williston Road/Community Drive area should maximize effi ciency of land use
and support multi-modal transportation. Th is area should have clear, effi cient access
to City Center as part of an integrated, urbanized high activity, pedestrian and transit
friendly east-west corridor. In 2014, the University of Vermont Medical Center began
exploration of installing a consolidated outpatient facility in this area.
Areas within the 100- and 500-year fl oodplain should continue to be kept free from
development. Agricultural and passive recreational activities in these areas should be
encouraged.
Residential areas within the Quadrant - such as Country Club Estates, Shunpike
Road, and Millham Court - should be reinforced as residential and supported.
Th e area immediately adjacent to I-89 is presently partially developed. Th is area should
continue to balance the conservation of natural resources and open space – including
the Muddy Brook and tributaries to the Potash Brook and – with employment
opportunities.
An important consideration for the future land use within this area is the potential
for a new Interstate interchange (“12B”) in the vicinity of Hinesburg Road. With an
interchange, properties would gain substantially improved access; with no interchange,
the overall transportation and development capacity of the area could be limited. Th e
City should consider the appropriate land development regulations in this area in
decisions related to any future interstate interchanges.
More generally, transportation infrastructure is an important element to the future
use of land in this area. Present infrastructure consists primarily of Hinesburg Road,
Kimball Avenue, Airport Parkway, and Williston Road.
Key Planning Issues. Key planning issues in the Northeast Quadrant include:
✦Integrated Development. Th ere is an opportunity on the lands nearest
Kimball Avenue/Old Farm Road/Kennedy Drive to include compact
residential housing transitioning to mixed employment nearest Technology
Park. For this integrated, mixed development to be successful, it should be
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-23
walkable, with integrated services and open spaces that off er recreational and
agricultural opportunities.
✦Transportation Network and Traffi c. Th e transportation network serving
the Northeast Quadrant is somewhat underdeveloped. Access to the area is
available chiefl y along Williston Road from Burlington and Williston, along
Kennedy Drive, and for the northern portion of the Quadrant, along Lime
Kiln Road. Th e result has been limited truck access to the area. In addition,
internal connections are limited.
Th e Airport master plan, revised in 2011, projects a doubling of passengers in
the next twenty years. Th is will place additional pressure on the existing road
network, much of which is abutted by single and two family homes.
Potential improvements can relieve some of this pressure. A more detailed
planning eff ort is underway in 2015.
✦Warehousing. Recently, there have been signifi cant concerns about the
suitability of this quadrant for warehousing, particularly in areas adjacent
to existing residential neighborhoods. While this area is close to the Airport
and the contemplated highway interchange at Route 116 and I-89, the noise
and visual impacts associated with truck traffi c are potentially very disruptive
to residential neighborhoods. Th is issue has been discussed during the SEQ
Concept Plan; among the ideas evaluated was the creation of a warehousing
sub-district adjacent to the Interstate. In any case, there was strong consensus
that the zoning regulations for the IO district regarding warehousing should
be reevaluated.
Th e area off Williston Road has experienced signifi cant growth over the last
20 years in corporate headquarters, general offi ce and industrial use. A sleeve
under I-89 has allowed the extension of public sewer facilities to industrial lots
south of the interstate including Verizon, Lane Press and Dynapower. Areas
adjacent to the 535 acre Burlington International Airport in the northeast
section of the City contain airport-related and other industrial uses and may
continue to be developed for those purposes. Several industrial parks in this
area include the Muddy Brook Industrial Park, Gregory and Daughters Park,
Greentree Park, Technology Park and the Ethan Allen Farm Industrial Park.
✦Balance of Industry and Open Space. Current zoning at the south end of
this Quadrant seeks to meet both open space and industrial objectives. Th e
area is home to both the Muddy Brook and one of the principal tributaries
to the Potash Brook, and has high visibility from I-89 and Old Farm Road.
Th e regulations for this area should be evaluated in more detail to assess how
best to meet the overall objectives of this Plan.
Lack of Parks. Th is area is underserved by city parks. At this time, only
temporary private ballfi elds and greens exist. As the area continues to build
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
out as an employment area with housing anticipated nearby in the vicinity of
Old Farm Road, this need will increase.
✦Support Services to Existing Business. Following the establishment of
several employment centers within this Quadrant – particularly at its southern
extremities – there has been increased demand for support services such as
restaurants and child care facilities in the area.
How best to allow for support services to area employment centers while
retaining the focus of retail and restaurant services in the Central District and
Southwest Quadrant should be evaluated.
✦Types of Development/Balance with Central District. Th e intent for the
Northeast Quadrant is to provide opportunities for employers in need of
larger amounts of space and which are compatible with the operation of the
airport.
Transition Areas. Northeast Quadrant transition areas include:
✦Southeast Quadrant. Th e interface of the Southeast and Northeast Quadrants
forms an important bridge between areas of higher and lower intensity. Th ese
areas converge south of I-89 and along Hinesburg Road. Th e City’s land
development regulations should be evaluated to assess the transition between
these areas.
✦Adjacent Residential Areas. Th e Northeast Quadrant comes into contact
with residential neighborhoods in a handful of key places, notably to the
west and northeast of the Burlington International Airport, and with the
handful of residential pockets within the Quadrant itself. Suffi cient transition
tools – in the form of lower intensity uses, buff ering, or screening – should be
provided to foster the continued compatibility of these areas. Th e same holds
for undeveloped areas to the east of Old Farm Road.
Northeast Quadrant Objectives
Objective 52. Allow opportunities for employers in need of larger amounts
of space, provided they are compatible with the operation of
the airport.
Objective 53. Provide a balanced mix of recreation, resource conservation,
and business park opportunities in the south end of the
Quadrant, to include the conservation of open space resources,
including riparian corridors along the tributaries of Muddy
Brook and Potash Brook.
Northeast Quadrant Strategies
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-25
Strategy 117. Complete an analysis and determine whether to pursue a potential interstate interchange
serving the area; revisit the City’s Land Development Regulations to ensure that the future
transportation network and future development potential of the area are consistent with one
another.
Strategy 118. Review the City’s Land Development Regulations so that land uses within the Quadrant remain
consistent with the continued operation of the airport.
Strategy 119. Promote business use along Williston Road that makes use of available transit services.
Strategy 120. Promote the eff ective transition from rural residential and agricultural land uses along Old
Farm Road to more dense housing and mixed uses in highly serviced areas along Kennedy Drive
and Kimball Avenue. Such transition should incorporate interconnected greenways and forested
open space.
Strategy 121. Encourage well planned, clustered, compact and infi ll business park development that
integrates contiguous open space areas in business park design.
Strategy 122. Focus City resources in support of the build out of high density business and technology and
mixed use centers to include City Center and the greater Tilley Drive – Technology Park –
O’Brien Brothers – Meadowlands and adjacent properties development. Recognize this central
area of the community as critical to the economic and employment growth of the City and work
to encourage full build out of available capacity.
*********************************************
SOUTHWEST QUADRANT
Areas Included. Th e Southwest Quadrant includes the entire Shelburne Road corridor
as well as several neighborhoods on either side. It stretches from Lake Champlain on
the west side, including Red Rocks Park and Queen City Park, Bartlett Bay, and
Holmes Road neighborhoods, to Spear Street on the east side, including Swift Street,
Allen Road, the Orchards, and Stonehedge, among others.
Current Land Use. Th e Southwest Quadrant is a diverse area of the City which
includes several distinct – and, in some cases commingled – land uses. Th ey include
several long standing single- and multi-family neighborhoods, natural areas fronting
Lake Champlain, light industrial areas, and commercial areas. Th e area is served
primarily by Shelburne Road, but is also served by an active railway that parallels
Shelburne Road.
Th e lakeward side of this quadrant includes several small residential neighborhoods
- the Bartlett Bay area, Holmes Road area, Queen City Park and the Landings. Each
of these include properties with lakefront access. Immediately adjacent to the Queen
City Park neighborhood is Red Rocks Park, a 100-acre City-owned park with 4,700
feet of lake frontage. Only 700 feet of beach give access to the waters of the lake, since
most of the park is on an elevated rocky promontory. Th e remainder of the lakefront
property consists of private residential properties, including a handful of large lots.
Bartlett Brook and Potash Brook join Lake Champlain in this area.
Th e Shelburne Road corridor consists predominantly of commercial uses, however,
residential and industrial uses are mixed throughout the area. Th e roadway itself serves
as the main north-south arterial through the State. A railway runs parallel to the road
and serves as an approximate divider between the lakeward portion of the Quadrant
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and the Shelburne Road section. In recent years, the north end of the corridor
has seen signifi cant redevelopment, in the form of mixed use housing and offi ces
in the Farrell Street area. Th is area, well served by transit, retail, employment, and
emergency services, won a Smart Growth award and is undergoing the fi nal phases of
redevelopment today.
To the east of Shelburne Road are several residential, mixed-use, natural, and park
areas. Th e Orchards neighborhood was the fi rst large-scale development to take place
in the area, beginning in the 1950s. Subsequently, commercial enterprises blossomed
along the length of Shelburne Road, with additional neighborhoods being added over
time. South of the Orchards is the University of Vermont’s Horticultural Farm, a
research facility and community focal point. North and east of the Orchards are two
municipal parks, Szymanski and Farrell.
Two community parks are located in this area: Farrell Park and Szymanski Park. Both
provide amenities for local residents; Farrell Park additionally provides ballfi elds for
wider use. Th ese parks are further enhanced by East Woods, a permanently conserved
parcel with walking trails open to the public, owned by the University of Vermont.
Towards the north end of the Quadrant, Swift Street is home to a mix of homes and
businesses and serves as the principal roadway connection to Spear Street. At the south
end of the Quadrant, Allen Road serves as the other principal connector and serves a
mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
Along Spear Street – the eastern boundary of the Quadrant – single family homes
fronting the street itself are accompanied by several residential neighborhoods of
single and multi-family homes accessed from Cedar Glen Road, Pheasant Way, and
Deerfi eld Ave. Th e City-owned Overlook Park sits at the corner of Deerfi eld Avenue
and Spear Street.
Th e Quadrant is generally well served by public transit, recreation paths, and services
for residents, though areas along Spear Street are somewhat distanced in some cases
and street connectivity, particularly east-west connectivity, is limited.
Future Land Use. Th e Shelburne Road corridor portion of the Quadrant is generally
already developed with commercial and mixed use establishments, with the exception
of some land reserved by private developers between the Lowe’s/Hannaford’s area
and Shelburne Road. Th erefore, growth will occur primarily as infi ll or conversion
development. Th e City encourages mixed-use development in and along the corridor
(e.g. mixed residential/commercial or mixed retail/offi ce/restaurant) to encourage
pedestrian movement, use of public transportation services, and shared parking
opportunities. Retail uses in the corridor are intended to meet both local and regional
shopping and employment needs.
While the entire corridor is planned for some mixing of uses, there are several
subsections within it. Th e north end of the corridor in South Burlington has seen the
most signifi cant redevelopment to date and now includes several newer multi-family
buildings amongst commercial areas. Future redevelopment in this area should be
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-27
consistent with the pattern established by this development and by the single and
two-family home neighborhood behind parts of it.
South of I-189, the east side of the road includes the well established Orchards
neighborhood as well as a series of relatively small commercial lots fronting on
Shelburne Road. Continued reuse and redevelopment of these commercial areas
should enhance pedestrian connectivity to residential areas while at the same time
protecting them from encroachment. Th e west side of the road includes signifi cantly
larger lots and some existing multi-family housing. Mixed use development and
redevelopment is encouraged in this area.
South of IDX Drive, the Shelburne Road corridor becomes predominately commercial
on both sides, with collector streets leading to residential neighborhoods. Th ese areas
should be encouraged for infi ll development and redevelopment, with a continued
focus on business opportunities.
In the lakefront portion of the Quadrant, residential and open spaces uses should
continue to predominate, with opportunities for public access to the Lake. A recreation
path should be established along the length of Lake Champlain in this area, and the
addition of a second public park should be considered to complement Red Rocks
Park.
East of the Shelburne Road corridor, future land use should remain principally
residential, with the exception of the western ends of Swift Street and Allen Road.
Future development should be encouraged to establish a consistent scale and transition
from commercial to residential areas. Additionally, care must be taken to maintain
and improve stormwater runoff in these areas, particularly in areas of steeper slopes.
Th e 2009 Cars to People project began to explore the possibility of developing a series
of “nodes” of activity along Shelburne Road. Th is should be further examined as a
means to support infi ll development and a land-use pattern that supports walkable
environments and effi cient transportation system.
Key Planning Issues. Key planning issues in the Southwest Quadrant include:
✦Balance of Local and Regional Traffi c. Shelburne Road (also known as US
Route 7) is State owned and controlled and serves as the primary north-south
travel route along Vermont’s western corridor. As such, its traffi c and use will
remain both regional and local. Th ese two purposes can be in confl ict with
one another, especially as it relates to pedestrian crossings and signal timing
for cross-streets.
Th e City supports the continued implementation of pedestrian crossings at
intersections and has promoted the development of a parallel route, Fayette
Drive, to serve local needs for access in support of Shelburne Road.
✦Conservation and Lakefront Access. Several large properties remain along
the border of Lake Champlain. In consideration of the future potential of
these properties, the City should explore opportunities for public access to
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
the Lake and/or conservation of identifi ed and connected natural resources
in the area.
✦Railway. Th e presence of the rail line in this district provides a signifi cant
long-term opportunity for the City. At present, the rail line has limited
commercial use, and carries no passengers. Opportunities for passenger use,
however, are under exploration at the state and Federal levels, including the
connections of Burlington to Middlebury, Rutland, Bennington and Albany.
Future land use in this area should take care to both continue to reserve
space for direct rail access by some commercial properties, and to ensure that
adjacent development is designed in such as way as to minimize the visual,
noise, and other eff ects of a nearby railway line.
Transition Areas. Southwest Quadrant transition areas include:
✦Safe and Inviting Access to Shelburne Road from Adjacent Neighborhoods.
Despite its proximity to residential neighborhoods to the east and west, some
development along Shelburne Road is not designed to encourage pedestrian
access from these areas. Future development and redevelopment along
Shelburne Road should accommodate both local and regional users.
Southwest Quadrant Objectives
Objective 54. Promote higher-density, mixed use development and
redevelopment along Shelburne Road and foster eff ective
transitions to adjacent residential areas.
Objective 55. Maintain Shelburne Road as a roadway for both regional and
local circulation.
Objective 56. Improve local neighborhood connections on the east and west
sides of the Shelburne Road corridor.
Objective 57. Promote and expand public access to Lake Champlain.
Objective 58. Support the ongoing agricultural use of the University of
Vermont’s Horticultural Farm and its other agricultural
properties.
Objective 59. Provide for the continued viability and use of the Vermont
Railway line while supporting the viability of residential
neighborhoods.
Southwest Quadrant Strategies
Strategy 123. Development that is to occur on the west side of the Vermont Railway line should make use of
public crossings.
Strategy 124. Review the City’s Land Development Regulations in key transition areas: between the
Southwest and Southeast Quadrants; between Swift Street and adjacent areas; between Allen
Road and adjacent areas.
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3-29
Strategy 125. Explore opportunities to create one or more “nodes” of concentrated development and public
activity along the Shelburne Road corridor;
Strategy 126. Continue to foster principally residential and open space throughout the lakeward portion of
the Quadrant; explore opportunities for compatible non-residential uses along the railway and
the potential for a mixed-use waterfront.
SOUTHEAST QUADRANT
Th e development and ultimate land use pattern in the Southeast Quadrant of South
Burlington is of critical importance to South Burlington’s future. Creating a balance
between housing, complimentary land uses, and conservation, especially conservation
of key natural communities and habitat features, will happen through continuous
planning, public involvement, and the thoughtful use of the City’s land acquisition
funds and regulatory tools.
From 2001 through 2005, the Planning Commission embarked on a series of studies
and plans that underpin this section of the plan. Th e fi ndings and goals of the Open
Space Strategy (2002), Ecological Assessment (2004), Bird Habitat Study (2004),
and SEQ Concept Plan (2005), are embodied in the goals and objectives of this
plan. Implementing these goals and objectives will ensure that the SEQ becomes a
vibrant, ecologically healthy district over the long term. Th ese studies and plans are
incorporated into this plan by reference.
Land Use Setting. Th e Southeast Quadrant (SEQ) comprises 3,900 acres or 37%
of South Burlington’s land area, and is the focus of much of the City’s future land
use planning and land conservation eff orts. For purposes of this chapter, the SEQ is
bounded by Spear Street to the west, Interstate 89 to the north, the Muddy Brook
to the east, and the Shelburne town line to the south. It includes all of the Southeast
Quadrant zoning district, and portions of the Industrial-Open Space, Parks and
Recreation, and Residential-2 zoning districts. Much of the SEQ still has a rural-
agricultural atmosphere and there are magnifi cent views of the Green Mountains,
Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks.
Th e SEQ, which has developed and changed substantially since the early 1990s, has
a remarkable variety of land uses. It remains South Burlington’s least developed and
most open land use district. It is home to several signifi cant natural areas, such as the
Great Swamp and Cheese Factory Swamp, which include areas with largely intact
natural communities; a patchwork of hay fi elds, pastures and early successional “old
fi elds” refl ecting the area’s agricultural heritage; and several of the City’s largest stands
of hardwoods. It is also home to the Vermont National Country Club and roughly
900 homes, with another 600 homes in various stages of permitting.
Veterans Memorial Park, located at the district’s far northwest end, is now home to
two ice rinks and the City’s largest concentration of recreation fi elds. Th is park has
become an important community gathering place for the entire City, with its constant
fl ow of activity and hub of recreation path connections.
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Commercial uses in the residential portions of the Southeast Quadrant have declined
in recent years, particularly with the closing of the area’s last dairy farm in 2004.
Th e Mill Market & Deli (formerly Chittenden Cider Mill), however, continues its
retail operations and is a well known landmark and neighborhood store. Larger-scale
commercial and light industrial uses in the far northeast of the district, within the
Industrial-Open Space district, include Verizon, CBA, Dynapower, the Lane Press,
and more recent offi ce construction. Th e Ireland Quarry continues operations along
the interstate near the Muddy Brook.
Natural Resources Setting. Th e SEQ’s natural resources are among the City’s fi nest
environmental assets. Marked by a pair of distinct north-south ridges between Spear
and Dorset Streets, and between Dorset Street and Hinesburg Road, the SEQ also
contains the headwaters of Shelburne Pond, Monroe Brook, Bartlett Brook and Potash
Brook, and a large swath of the Muddy Brook basin. Th ese resources, particularly the
natural communities, were documented in the 2004 report “Wildlife and Natural
Communities Assessment of the Southeast Quadrant, South Burlington, Vermont”
by Arrowwood Environmental (the “SEQ Assessment”).
Th e six focus areas defi ned in the SEQ Assessment are summarized below, along with
descriptions of other important natural resource characteristics of the SEQ:
✦Soils. Th e SEQ’s soils are characterized by a shallow depth to groundwater
and moderate permeability, with many rock outcrops found throughout the
area. Th e soil types are chiefl y Vergennes and Covington clays with gentle
slopes, which are classifi ed as having moderately high agricultural potential.
✦Ridges and Watersheds. Two north-south ridges defi ne the watersheds in
the SEQ. Th e fi rst begins at Veterans Memorial Park, south of the interstate
between Dorset Street and Hinesburg Road, and heads south to the City line.
Water falling to the west of this ridge goes into Lake Champlain via Bartlett
Brook and North Brook. Th e second ridge roughly parallels Hinesburg Road,
and continues south to the City line. Water falling east of this ridge feeds into
Muddy Brook and fl ows north to the Winooski River.
✦Natural Communities and Habitat Areas. Within the SEQ, the SEQ
Assessment determined that there are six distinct groupings of natural features
that form unique habitat areas, each with diff erent resource, aesthetic, and
habitat values. Th ese sub-areas, and their key values, are summarized below:
✦Muddy Brook Corridor. Th e Muddy Brook corridor at the northeastern
end of the SEQ includes the brook, its surrounding wetlands, and adjacent
upland forest and early successional agricultural fi elds. Th e area has a high
vegetative diversity, which along with the brook helps support habitat for a
variety of wildlife including mink, muskrat, herons and fi sh. Noted natural
community areas associated with the corridor include the Dubois Swamp, a
fl ooded red maple-black ash swamp, and the Van Sicklen Woods, a 12-acre
clay plain forest.
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1. Muddy Brook Basin. Th e Muddy Brook Basin in the southeastern corner
of the SEQ includes the brook, its associated wetlands, the adjacent farm
fi elds and pastures, and nearby small woodlots. Field visits during the
SEQ Assessment found evidence that this area is used by gray and red fox,
mink, river otter, muskrat, and coyote, as well as by many hydrophilic
birds. Ecologically, this area extends well beyond South Burlington into
the adjacent areas of Williston, Shelburne and St. George.
2. Th e Great Swamp. Th e Great Swamp area is centered on a hardwood
swamp on the ridge east of Spear Street. It includes upland forests, shrubby
successional fi elds, and wetlands. Th e large Red Maple-Black Ash swamp,
which is notable among other features for the lack of invasive species
present within it, appears to be the “Higbee Swamp” that is referred to in
a variety of historical scientifi c collections at the University of Vermont.
Five rare plant species were found in this swamp near the turn of the last
century. While these species are not likely to have persisted, the Great
Swamp is perhaps the most intact and important natural community area
within South Burlington.
3. Spear Street Frontage. Th e area east of Spear Street and west of the
Great Swamp is a mix of small wooded areas, old agricultural fi elds, and
shrubby and emergent wetlands. Th is area’s key signifi cance is that it acts
as an ecological buff er between the Great Swamp and the more developed
areas to the west.
4. Th e Bowl. Th is area, in the south-central portion of the SEQ, contains
some of the most substantial concentrations of wetland and wildlife
resources in the SEQ and has been the focus of the City’s land conservation
eff orts since 2002. Th e large wetland complex called the “Cheese Factory
Swamp” straddling Cheese Factory Road, and the mixed hardwood
communities just north and west of the swamp, are key parts of this area.
Field inventories during the SEQ Assessment found signs that the area
is home to bobcat, gray and red fox, coyote, wild turkey, and numerous
other animal and bird species.
5. Wheeler Nature Park and Associated Lands. Th e City-owned Wheeler
Nature Park property just north of the SEQ zoning boundary was found
during the SEQ Assessment to be an important haven for wildlife. It
is comprised of a series of open spaces and small woodlots on the golf
course, and other nearby properties, along with some old fi eld areas and
wetlands. Th e diverse combination and proximity of diff erent wetlands,
streams, hardwood forest, and old fi eld areas makes this an important
cluster of features that act as wildlife habitat.
✦Views. Th e SEQ aff ords some of the City’s most scenic views of the
Adirondacks, Camel’s Hump and the ridges and valleys stretching south to
Shelburne Pond. Th e City has protected what are deemed to be the most
important public views from existing and proposed public properties through
the View Protection Overlay Zone (VPZ). Other signifi cant views have been
evaluated through the SEQ Concept Plan and most recently the 2014 South
Burlington Open Space Report. Areas that should be protected through
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
height and site plan standards in the City’s land use regulations and design
guidelines have been identifi ed.
✦Historic and Cultural Resources. Th e SEQ contains many remnants of the
City’s agricultural heritage, including old barns, stone walls, hedgerows, and
some of the City’s very few structures eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places. Th e Old Stone House at the corner of Hinesburg
and Van Sicklen Roads was renovated, greatly enhancing the visual quality
of Van Sicklen Road. Conservation and adaptive reuse of these structures
is important and should be encouraged where possible; staff assistance in
seeking grant funding can be an important way of accomplishing this goal.
Allowing an expanded use of the former Chittenden Cider Mill is intended,
in part, to ensure longer-term preservation of the building as a historic and
cultural resource.
Residential Land Uses in the SEQ. Th e past 10 years have seen a great deal of
housing development in the SEQ and adjacent areas, ranging from large single-family
houses to more densely-developed triplex units. Th e past fi ve years have seen a marked
trend towards duplex and smaller single-family units in the SEQ, where previously
larger single-family homes made up most of the new housing supply.
Developments proposed during the SEQ planning process were showing a change
back towards more single-family units. Th e lack of new single-family housing in
Chittenden County was leading developers to propose more single-family housing
and more new types of single-family, such as smaller “cottage” homes.
Residential Development Patterns and Densities. With the exception of a few very
small subdivisions, new housing built in the SEQ since 1992 has been built under
the zoning provisions that allow for an overall density of 1.2 housing units per acre,
with the units built in a clustered manner at 4 housing units per acre. Th is clustering
option has created a pronounced change in site development patterns, away from the
standard, larger-lot developments like Butler Farms, Oak Creek or Ledge Knoll to a
more compact pattern exemplifi ed in Stonehouse Village.
With the completion of the SEQ planning process, there has been a strong interest
in building neighborhoods at higher densities in order to conserve more of the SEQ’s
priority open space lands. Th e City’s land use regulations do provide for the transfer
of development rights between non-contiguous parcels. Th e SEQ Concept Plan was
charged with evaluating whether and how to adjust the “sending” and “receiving”
densities within the regulations to provide more incentive for this type of transfer to
happen.
Aff ordable Housing in the SEQ. South Burlington’s Comprehensive Plan recognizes
that while the City has been a leader in the provision of aff ordable housing, very
little has been built in the SEQ relative to other areas of the City. Th e very high
cost of land in the SEQ, and the lack of access to public transit, and distance from
available services, have limited the introduction of aff ordable housing into the SEQ.
Nonetheless, aff ordable ownership units were included in Dorset Farms, and are
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-33
included in the proposed South Village project as well. Th e SEQ Concept Plan has
evaluated how increased “buildable” densities might increase the opportunity for
aff ordable housing as well.
Non-Residential Land Uses in the SEQ. While predominantly residential, the SEQ
district also includes many non-residential land uses. Th ese are found chiefl y in the
Industrial-Open Space (IO) Zoning District at the northeastern edge of the SEQ,
but are also found at the Chittenden Cider Mill on Dorset Street, but throughout
the district is a scattering of churches, schools, recreation areas, and home-based
businesses.
Industrial Open Space District. Th e Industrial-Open Space zoning district was
intended originally to provide land for high-quality, large-lot industries and offi ces
whose buildings and operations are consistent with a location in an environmentally
healthy and visually sensitive area adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Recently,
there have been signifi cant concerns about the suitability of this district for uses such
as warehousing that generate signifi cant truck traffi c.
Institutional Land Uses. Institutional uses in the SEQ are varied and provide
important visual focal points within this district. Th ese uses include four churches,
all located at the north end of the SEQ near the interstate. A private elementary
school, Th e Schoolhouse, is located on one of the out parcels near the Dorset Farms
subdivision.
Th e City’s land uses in the district center on recreation and open space. Veterans
Memorial Park is the City’s main active recreation center and is located adjacent to
the 100-acre Wheeler Nature Park. A network of unpaved walking paths has been
developed through the Recreation Path Committee. Most recently, the City added the
40-acre Scott property in the center of the SEQ to its recreation lands.
Th e Vermont National Country Club. One of the most prominent features of the
SEQ is the Vermont National Country Club, which began construction in 1996 and
continues developing today. Th is 450-acre complex straddles Dorset Street and extends
from Swift Street south to Nowland Farm Road. It includes 264 residential units, an
18-hole golf course that draws players from throughout Vermont, and a clubhouse
complex overlooking the swath of wetlands and golf course stretching southwest from
the ridge near Veterans Memorial Park. Development of this large and very visible
section of the SEQ as a golf course has helped to keep wetland areas and some very
attractive views open, but has also raised concerns and legal confl icts relating to the
location of some associated residential areas.
Retail and Services in the SEQ. Th e sole remaining retail and service use in the
SEQ is the Chittenden Cider Mill, which includes retail and a small-scale auto repair
facility. It functions today as a local landmark and gathering spot for the SEQ. In
light of the growth that has taken place and been proposed in the SEQ, the Planning
Commission has carefully considered the need for retail services fi rst articulated in
the 2001 Comprehensive Plan. From both public input and the analysis performed
in the SEQ Concept Plan, it is clear that there has been suffi cient population growth
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
to warrant creation of a small retail and service sub-district in the SEQ. Such a
district must be limited in size and type, respect and contribute to the quality of
the surrounding neighborhoods, and utilize design features that contribute to the
traditional, Vermont vernacular that characterizes the visual quality of the SEQ.
Agricultural Lands and Land Uses. Agricultural operations, from hay fi elds to dairy
farming, have shaped the SEQ’s landscape over the past two centuries and contributed
greatly to its natural beauty. It has become clear that the economic prospects for
traditional, larger-scale farming, especially dairy farming, have faded in the SEQ. Th e
last two herds of dairy cows in the SEQ were sold in 2003 and 2004, leaving only hay
fi elds and other limited operations in business. Th e planning discussion has shifted
to new and emerging forms of agriculture that can thrive even in a suburbanizing
environment.
A number of agricultural uses are continuing, however, in the SEQ and in adjacent
areas of Shelburne. Th e Scott property conservation easement allows for continued
haying and agricultural use. A farm developed as part of the South Village subdivision
off of Spear Street serves as a drop-off location for the Intervale Food Hub membership
program that aggregates food from dozens of Vermont farms. Th e farm at South
Village grows about a dozen crops and has greenhouses. Th is type of farming use, as
well as the community gardens found on Spear Street on the University of Vermont
Wheelock Farm, can be an important part of the SEQ’s visual character, quality of life
and environmental health into the future.
Recreation Facilities in the Southeast Quadrant. It is clear that the population
and housing growth in the SEQ will increase the need for recreation and open space
opportunities, and the need for the City and developers to provide for these needs as
development occurs.
DEVELOPED RECREATION AREAS. Veterans Memorial Park, with 220 acres of land,
playing fi elds, playground equipment, and two hockey rinks, is one of South
Burlington’s “crown jewels” and a major community gathering place. It functions as a
City-wide facility, but also as the closest park for most SEQ residents and, along with
the Wheeler Nature Park, the “green lungs” of the City Center.
Th e very heavy scheduled use of Veterans Memorial Park’s playing fi elds indicates that
the park’s capacity for providing active recreation space has been reached. Th us it is
recognized in this plan, and detailed in the Recreation chapter, that the anticipated
housing growth in the SEQ (including projects built since 2001 and those undergoing
review) will necessitate acquisition of additional lands for active and passive recreation,
as well as continued expansion of the recreation path system, to ensure that there are
suffi cient recreation areas within walking or biking distance of all SEQ neighborhoods.
A near-term focus should be on providing new opportunities for active recreation,
including soccer/playing fi elds and playground equipment.
RECREATION PATHS. Th e SEQ is increasingly well-served by recreation paths, and
all new developments have incorporated extensive public recreation paths in their
designs. In the summer of 2004, a section of the path was built on the east side of
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
3-35
Dorset Street stretching north from Midland Avenue. Th is will eventually connect to
the new Chittenden Cider Mill development, forming a link all the way from the City
Center to Midland Avenue. Construction of the South Village project eventually will
provide a loop from Dorset to Spear Street.
Th e Recreation Path Committee has identifi ed fi ve priority improvements within or
directly related to the SEQ district as its priorities for the area: (1) completing the
path from Dorset Farms to Nowland Farm Road; (2) completing the connector from
Midland Avenue to Allen Road and Spear Street through the South Village project;
(3) extension of the path from Spear Street and Allen Road to Shelburne Road; (4)
completing a path on the west side of Dorset Street from Swift Street north to the
Faith Methodist Church; and (5) constructing a path along Van Sicklen Road from
the Muddy Brook to the existing path terminus on Old Cross Road.
NATURAL AREAS. Th e 100-acre Wheeler Nature Park is the City’s largest natural area.
Th is property includes areas of hardwood forest, ledge, and wetlands, and has been
documented as one of the most important areas of wildlife habitat in the City. Th e
City intends to maintain this as a natural area, with unpaved walking trails the only
type of improvement to be constructed within the property.
Th e 2007 conservation of the Scott property provided a much-needed addition to the
City’s inventory of natural lands. It will be available for low-impact, non-motorized
recreation activities such as hiking, biking and skiing. Th e Open Space Strategy
focused on this area, “Th e Bowl,” as a critical area of the SEQ for further natural area
conservation. Ideally, a conserved network of natural areas and farmland with public
walking paths will be created extending south to Shelburne Pond.
Acquired by the City in 2013, the 60-acre Underwood property includes open fi elds,
woodlands, wetlands, and spectacular views. Th e City appointed a committee to
develop a preferred vision for the plan, for which a report and related graphics were
released in the spring of 2015. A management plan was identifi ed as the next step, but
has not yet been developed.
PUBLIC SAFETY. As development increases in the SEQ, the City must monitor the need
for substations in the SEQ. Any new public building in the SEQ should include space
for public meetings, as this has been sorely lacking in the SEQ.
Transportation Network. Th e provision of an integrated network of roadways,
recreation paths, sidewalks and walking trails that balances the needs of SEQ residents,
the City as a whole, and the City’s natural environment is an ongoing challenge that
requires thoughtful discussion, planning, and technical assistance. While automobile
transportation will be the chief mode of moving through and around the SEQ for
the foreseeable future, the City must recognize and plan for all modes of travel in a
balanced way.
Th e main north-south routes through the SEQ have very diff erent functions.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Spear Street acts as a quasi-rural corridor carrying substantial amounts of commuter
traffi c northbound into Burlington each morning. Th is has created diffi culties for the
local traffi c, particularly the houses with driveways on Spear Street, between Allen
Road and Swift Street. Th e corridor’s open character is protected in some stretches by
the University of Vermont’s farm and natural area lands that fl ank the road in parts of
South Burlington, particularly north of Swift Street through to Williston Road.
Th e Spear Street Corridor Study, completed in 2004, provided the City with a detailed
series of recommended improvements intended to maintain Spear Street as a hybrid
local and collector road that is able to carry the through traffi c demand without
creating a need for additional lanes. Citizens expressed a strong desire to keep Spear
Street as a two-lane profi le throughout South Burlington, while making improvements
to the Spear and Swift intersection and providing better recreation path connections
throughout.
Dorset Street functions more as a local collector roadway and carries far less commuter
or through traffi c in the SEQ than do Spear Street and Hinesburg Road. Dorset Street
is likely to be aff ected by increased volumes of local traffi c as more development
occurs, especially in the SEQ. Th e very visible presence of important local landmarks
such as Veterans Memorial Park, the water tank, the Vermont National Country Club
golf course and club house, and the Mill Market and Deli right on Dorset Street make
Dorset Street very much the “main street” of South Burlington, both in the SEQ and
farther north in the City Center.
Th ese visual features make it appropriate to bring new housing and other uses closer to
Dorset Street, especially in the area south of Old Cross Road as identifi ed in the SEQ
Concept Plan, and to ensure that its profi le enhances its use as a local “main street.”
Th is will require careful design review to ensure that new development contributes to
the attractive visual quality that has been developing along Dorset Street.
Hinesburg Road (Vermont Route 116) is an important regional transportation
corridor that carries an increasing amount of through traffi c, including trucks, from
Addison and southern Chittenden County north to Williston, South Burlington and
Burlington.
Th e State has begun the formal scoping process, with the full support of Williston,
for a full interchange at Hinesburg Road and Interstate 89. Th is is expected to reduce
the use of Van Sicklen Road as a cut-over to Exit 12 in Williston, provide more direct
airport access, and service the truck demand from the industrial parks north and south
of the Interstate in both communities. And, while essential to the regional economy,
the interchange will lead to increased through traffi c on Route 116. Th erefore, careful
provisions for recreation path and pedestrian crossings and strict limits on new curb
cuts through this corridor are essential.
East-West and Neighborhood Connector Roads: One of the most diffi cult issues for
South Burlington has been the provision of east-west connector roads between Spear
Street, Dorset Street, and Hinesburg Road, and provision of connections between
adjacent subdivisions.
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Despite the fact that a network of east-west roads has been shown on the City’s Offi cial
Map and included in the Comprehensive Plan for over 40 years, at the present time,
the only full connection between the north-south roads in the SEQ is Cheese Factory
Road. Nowland Farm Road terminates at Dorset Heights; Swift Street terminates at
the Village at Dorset Park; and Midland Avenue terminates within Dorset Farms.
Th e lack of east-west roadways means, eff ectively, that the SEQ presently has over
1,000 housing units and regional traffi c moving through a farming community’s
roadway network. Th e lack of east-west connections increases travel times and miles
traveled between, for example, Butler Farms and Village at Dorset Park, or Dorset
Farms and Shelburne Road. When east-west and neighborhood connector roads
are lacking, school bus routes and emergency service responses also are lengthened,
and there is less physical connectivity between neighborhoods, creating an isolating
development, transportation, infrastructure and social network in the SEQ.
Th e fl ip side of this discussion relates to the potential environmental impacts of
new roadways on wetlands and other environmental resources, and the desire of
many residents to have as little “through traffi c” as possible able to drive through
their neighborhoods. Proposed roadway connections between new and existing
neighborhoods are a frequent source of confl ict in the development review process,
and, against the policy of the City, the DRB has in some cases allowed one-way or
“emergency only” roadways as a way to allow projects to proceed.
Also, wetland regulations are often interpreted in a manner that considers connector
roads an “unnecessary impact” or an easy way to reduce wetland impacts. Th is
interpretation is often self-defeating from an environmental perspective, since it leads
to greater vehicle miles traveled by new residents when neighborhoods do not connect
to other neighborhoods and the street network.
One key issue where there has been increasing agreement on all sides is the need to
design east-west and neighborhood connector roads with narrower profi les and other
environmental design features, such as box or open-bottom culverts instead of pipes
for wetland and stream crossings, narrower road profi les (especially at crossing points),
wildlife-friendly landscaping, and other traffi c-calming features. Th ese approaches,
which can be incorporated with the City’s public service and roadway maintenance
practices, should become “standard operating procedure” for new development in the
SEQ.
With these issues in mind, the Planning Commission evaluated the planned cross-
town roads on the Offi cial Map in 2003 and proposed a series of amendments
that were adopted by City Council in December, 2003. Th is Comprehensive Plan
reaffi rms that the remaining proposed roadways through the SEQ that are shown on
the Offi cial Map should be constructed.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Southeast Quadrant Objectives
Objective 60. Give priority to the conservation of contiguous and
interconnected open space areas within this quadrant outside
of those areas [districts, zones] specifi cally designated for
development.
Objective 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.
Objective 62. Enhance Dorset Street as the SEQ’s “main street” with
traffi c calming techniques, streetscape improvements, safe
interconnected pedestrian pathways and crossings, and a
roadway profi le suited to its intended local traffi c function.
Southeast Quadrant Strategies
Strategy 127. Take an active role, through cooperative planning and projects, policy discussions, zoning, and
land conservation, in promoting new or revitalized agricultural and other open space uses in
the SEQ that can be compatible with residential neighborhood and village center uses.
Strategy 128. Create a village center and green for the SEQ along Dorset Street south of Old Cross Road.
Strategy 129. Participate in State proceedings to advance the City’s position on open space, housing and
agricultural use issues as they relate to soil classes.
Strategy 130. Maintain the present residential density of 1.2 dwelling units per gross acre of land as the basic
limitation on the ultimate build out of the SEQ zoning district.
Strategy 131. Continue to allow limited neighborhood areas with a buildable density of between four and
eight units per acre, using development rights transferred from areas in the SEQ designated for
conservation or protection.
Strategy 132. Evaluate the allowable activities on the western portion of the Industrial-Open Space District
and consider enabling the development of a residential neighborhood with density from
transferred development rights from conserved properties in the SEQ.
Strategy 133. Revise the LDRs to ensure that all truck-intensive uses in the IO district are located a suffi cient
distance away from residentially-zoned lands to prevent adverse noise, air quality, light, and
visual impacts.
Strategy 134. Review the general height limits and explore architectural design review to ensure that the
proposed structures are consistent with the vernacular architectural styles and visual quality of
the SEQ.
Strategy 135. Continue to work with Shelburne on strategies to create a conserved agricultural and natural
area, with appropriate public access and paths, from Shelburne Pond and Pond Road north to
the Cider Mill development, consistent with the goals of the Open Space Strategy.
Strategy 136. Work with the owners of major SEQ lands with agricultural use or potential to ensure the
appropriate use of TDRs for land conservation, consistent with the objectives of this Plan, the
SEQ Concept Plan and Open Space Strategy.
Strategy 137. Through the development review process, land conservation initiatives, and development of
Zoning Map amendments for the SEQ, work towards the addition of supplemental conserved
areas adjacent and connected to existing open space lands.
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Strategy 138. Maintain measures in the LDRs and SEQ zoning map to ensure that open spaces in all
developments aff ecting secondary natural areas be designed in a manner to ensure continued
connectivity between other open spaces and the preservation of “stepping stone” or other
pockets of important wildlife habitat.
Strategy 139. Consult the Arrowwood Environmental SEQ Environmental Assessment regarding
environmental resources, conditions, and possible strategies for protecting wildlife habitat
values through conservation, restoration and development.
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D. Special Multi-District Issues
Several issues of land use cross the artifi cial designations of local planning areas and
municipal boundaries. Th ree key themes – transportation / mixed use corridors, open
spaces / wildlife corridors, and transition areas – are highlighted in the Future Land
Use Map.
CORE AREA AND KEY CORRIDORS THROUGH DISTRICTS
Promoting continued infi ll development in the greater City Center district, Williston
Road and Shelburne Road areas in a manner that is consistent with current or future
transit use adds visual vitality, increases the commercial and residential options
available to landowners and businesses, incorporates access management features such
as shared parking and reduced curb cuts, and uses land effi ciently.
Several key transportation corridors serve to both divide and stitch together
neighborhoods and land use districts throughout the City. Th ese include, notably,
Shelburne Road, Williston Road, and to a lesser extent, Dorset Street and Kennedy
Drive.
Future land use along each of these corridors should emphasize not only the need
for traffi c fl ow, but also for cross connections and pedestrian access. Th e specifi c
challenges and opportunities for resolution are unique to each of these corridors, but
the broad need to have these corridors serve both localized and wider City-wide and
regional needs is consistent.
In addition to providing transportation accessibility, these corridors provide
opportunities for the City to advance multiple key goals related to effi cient use of
land, aff ordability, land conservation, and effi ciency of municipal services. Th ese goals
can be advanced by supporting development and redevelopment patterns that focus
on high quality, higher density land use than elsewhere in the City. Greater intensity
of land uses along these corridors will foster greater use of transit along existing routes,
relieve pressure for development in other areas of the City, and provide residents with
support services within walking distance. All of these will help support the overall
aff ordability of housing in the area.
OPEN SPACES AND WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
South Burlington is connected together by multiple types of networks – streets,
recreation paths, water and sewer infrastructure, and natural areas.
Land use includes planning for both conservation and development. For natural areas,
connectivity is critically important. Th e City of South Burlington includes several
natural corridors. In most cases, these relate closely to water features due to the
increased wildlife activity that generally accompanies these features.
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In South Burlington, the following natural area corridors cross through the City.
Some, such as those in the Southeast Quadrant and along parts of the Potash Brook’s
main reach, have been closely studied, while others have only been broadly identifi ed.
✦Southeast Quadrant Wildlife Corridors – see the Southeast Quadrant
Detailed Chapter.
✦Muddy Brook Corridor
✦Bartlett Brook Corridor
✦Centennial Brook Corridor
✦Potash Brook and Red Rocks Park Corridor
✦Winooski River Corridor
ENERGY FACILITY SITING
South Burlington recognizes that there may at times be competing goals. While the
City supports the harnessing of renewable energy, particularly in the case of solar
arrays, it must consider the impacts of such structures on open spaces and wildlife
corridors. As such, this plan shall serve to provide guidance as to where the siting of
renewable energy facilities should be avoided in favor of certain conservation areas:
✦All Primary Conservation Areas identifi ed per the map included in the 2014
South Burlington Open Spaces Report.
✦Uncommon Species, Habitat Blocks identifi ed per the Secondary Conservation
Maps included in the 2014 South Burlington Open Spaces Report.
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3.3. Compatibility
Through reciprocal cooperation with neighboring towns, regional
agencies and entities with regional infl uence, the city plans to promote
economical and effi cient administration of certain public services
including water supply, fi re and police protection, transportation,
parks, water quality improvement, and waste disposal. In addition, the
city recognizes its role within a larger regional context and shall plan
in cooperation with neighboring municipalities and other towns in the
region.
Th e development of the South Burlington Comprehensive Plan involved consideration
of compatibility with the plans of adjoining municipalities and the region. Th e
proposed plans of adjoining municipalities and the CCRPC were consulted and
discussions were held with municipal and regional staff planners.
Th e South Burlington Comprehensive Plan is compatible with the plans of adjoining
municipalities and the CCRPC. As South Burlington implements its plan, adjoining
municipalities will be consulted and invited to comment on projects and studies
which may aff ect an adjoining town or city. Th e following is a brief municipality-by-
municipality assessment for compatibility:
City of Burlington
Th e Burlington Municipal Development Plan, last adopted March 31, 2014, includes
the following:
“Geographically, Burlington is only a small part of the surrounding region, and has no
extraterritorial authority over land use and development in adjoining communities.
Responsibility and ability to reverse this trend of suburbanization lies therefore with
each nearby community, and our willingness to collaborate together as a region on
land use and public investment issues.”
Th e City of Burlington’s Land Use Plan includes planned Neighborhood Activity
Centers near its boundaries with South Burlington along Shelburne Road as well as
along Grove Street (which become Patchen Road in South Burlington). Both are listed
as areas for carefully planned, resource and neighborhood sensitive centers for growth
and development. Th e same holds for the City of Burlington’s Institutional Core
Campus district, including the areas home to the University of Vermont principal
campus and University of Vermont Medical Center.
Th e cities also share boundaries along Spear Street, in the Eastwoods neighborhood,
with Red Rocks Park, and in the Burlington South End.
South Burlington Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Map is generally consistent
with those of the City of Burlington: Low Intensity to lower density areas, Medium
and Higher Intensity to similar classifi cations on the Burlington side.
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In addition to Future Land Use, the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington
collaborate on numerous fronts, including but not limited to emergency response,
Airport planning & operations, the University of Vermont & Champlain College,
transportation corridors, and regional events such as the recent triathlon championships.
Th e Plans for these two communities are compatible.
Town of Shelburne
Th e Shelburne Comprehensive Plan, adopted February 25, 2014 and amended
September 23, 2014 includes two future land use districts bordering the City of South
Burlington: “Growth Area 2” from Lake Champlain to Spear Street and “Rural Sub-
Area” from Spear Street to the Muddy Brook. Growth Area 2 is further separated,
along its boundary with South Burlington, into the “Mixed Use Sub-Area” and the
“Residential Sub-Area.”
Objectives contained within the Plan:
“Create a true mixture of residential and commercial development in the Mixed
Use Area along Shelburne Road north of the Village area. Th is should range from
apartments above commercial uses to various types of residential structures linked
with and integrated into the commercial developments. Commercial uses should be
oriented towards local and sub-regional markets (e.g. drug stores, hardware stores,
neighborhood stores.”
“In the residential parts of Growth Area 2, encourage development of pleasant,
compact neighborhoods.”
“Th e area outside of Shelburne’s Growth Area is designated as the Rural Area. It is the
Town’s policy to discourage development in the rural area in favor of development
in the Growth Area.” “While some development is anticipated in the Rural Area, it
should be limited, of low density, and should give very high priority to identifying
and preventing undue adverse impacts to the area’s scenic and natural features and
resources.”
Th e Town’s Growth Area 2 is aligned with the City’s Future Land Use map, with
Higher Intensity along Shelburne Road and Low Intensity along the Lake and nearer
to Spear Street. Th e objectives for each are closely aligned.
Th e Town’s Rural Sub-Area is adjacent to areas listed as Very Low Intensity and
Low Intensity. Both communities have placed strong emphasis on natural resource
conservation and have in fact collaborated on the acquisition of land for conservation
and agricultural purposes. Th e approaches to land conservation and integration
with housing demands diff er slightly, as the City uses a Transferable Development
Right program which does allow for compact development in specifi c areas that are
accompanied by Natural Resource conservation areas along wildlife, wetland, stream,
and agricultural corridors. While the approaches diff er, the broad goals and intent are
largely compatible.
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city of south burlington comprehensive plan
Th e City and Town collaborate on multiple fronts, including emergency response,
administration, natural resource conservation, and water quality.
Th e Plans for these two communities are compatible.
Town of Williston
Th e Town of Williston last adopted its Town Plan on October 3, 2011. Th e Town, via
the Muddy Brook, forms the entire western boundary of South Burlington, from near
Shelburne Pond to the Winooski River.
Th e two communities’ Future Land Use plans are consistent along the boundary. Both
promote natural resource conservation south of I-89 (Agricultural/Rural Residential
in Williston) and include lands for commercial / light industrial activity north of I-89
(Industrial West).
“3.2 Rural Williston- Th e Town of Williston will maintain a rural character outside the
sewer service area, and protect open space resources, including productive agricultural
lands, open meadows, ridgelines, riparian corridors and wetlands, view corridors, and
wildlife habitat.”
Th e bordering area in South Burlington are largely identifi ed for Very Low Intensity.
Th e one exception is immediately south of I-89, where a quarry operates in South
Burlington (Medium-Higher Intensity in South Burlington) and is accessed via
Williston. Th e Town has a specifi c agreement with the quarry for access and operation.
“3.3 Industrial Lands – Th e Town of Williston will continue in its role as an industrial
center and the site of the proposed regional landfi ll. Th e policies adopted here facilitate
continuing industrial use with bylaw amendments and permitting of the landfi ll.”
Additional goals related to transportation improvements and to close examination of
zoning related to the shift in uses towards warehousing, distribution and offi ces are
presented.
Th e bordering area in South Burlington is listed as Medium-Higher and is
complimentary. Th e Muddy Brook corridor to the north is labelled as Very Low
Intensity due to its fl oodplains.
Th e City and Town are connected by three bridges, along National Guard Road north
of the Airport (largely unpaved), US Route 2, and Van Sicklen Road.
Th e City and Town collaborate on numerous fronts, including emergency response,
transportation corridors, and administration. Th e Plans for these two communities
are compatible.
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Town of Colchester
Th e Colchester Town Plan was last adopted on April 8, 2014. Th e two communities
share a small portion of the Winooski as a municipal boundary and are connected by
the Lime Kiln Bridge.
Vermont Route 15 and St. Michael’s College are the predominant land use features
on the Colchester side of the bridge, while multi-family housing transitioning to light
industrial uses and Airport are located on the South Burlington side.
Th e Town, via agreement, has an allocation from the Airport Parkway Wastewater
Treatment Facility.
Future Land Use on the South Burlington side is listed as Medium Intensity. Th e
Colchester Plan labels this area as Village Mixed Use, described as follows: “Th ese are
primarily existing developed areas and future development is meant to be compatible
with the existing diverse mix of uses. Additional infrastructure will generally not be
required to support desired levels of growth and density with the exception of the
Exit 17 neighborhood. Uses appropriate for village mixed use include small offi ce,
restaurant, small retail, agriculture, and many businesses integrated into neighboring
residential uses. Appropriate industrial uses should be conditioned on their ability
to fi t with neighboring uses. Although Planned developments (PUD, PRD), multi-
family and higher residential densities are to be encouraged, lower densities such as
R-1 and especially R-2 are also compatible in village mixed use areas.”
Th e City and Town continue to collaborate on a range of subjects including wastewater,
administration, transportation, and emergency response. Th e Plans for these two
communities are compatible.
Town of Essex
Th e Essex Town Plan was last adopted on March 1, 2011. Th e two communities
share a portion of the Winooski as a municipal boundary but have no land or bridge
connections.
Th e boundary is largely fl oodplain on both sides of the River. Th e City and Town
share similar and comparable goals for watershed and fl oodplain conservation. Th e
Plans for these two communities are compatible.
Village of Essex Junction
Th e Village of Essex Junction Comprehensive Plan was last adopted on August 26,
2014. Th e two communities share a portion of the Winooski as a municipal boundary
but have no land or bridge connections.
Th e boundary is largely fl oodplain on both sides of the River. Th e City and Town
share similar and comparable goals for watershed and fl oodplain conservation. Th e
Plans for these two communities are compatible.
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City of Winooski
Th e Winooski Municipal Development Plan was re-adopted from its 2009 version on
April 21, 2014, with the additional of 10 General Principles.
Th e two cities share a portion of the Winooski as a municipal boundary but have no
land or bridge connections.
Winooski’s Plan notes” “A signifi cant amount of land along the Winooski River is
classifi ed as fl oodplain; this fl oodplain is broken down into the fl oodway, the 100-
year and 500-year zones, the boundaries of which can be seen on fl oodway and fl ood
insurance rate maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Land
use within fl ood-prone areas is restricted through zoning.”
Th e boundary is largely fl oodplain on both sides of the River. Th e City and Town
share similar and comparable goals for watershed and fl oodplain conservation. Th e
Plans for these two communities are compatible.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC)
South Burlington is located at a core central location within Chittenden County.
Immediately adjacent to the State’s largest City on two sides, bisected by I-89, and
home to the Burlington International Airport, the City of South Burlington is a
principal center for people to live, work, and recreate.
Th e CCRPC’s June 19, 2013 Regional Plan, or ECOS, outlines a broad range of goals
and strategies. Among these is a principal goal to: “Strive for 80% of new development
in areas planned for growth, which amounts to 15% of our land area.” Th e ECOS
Future Land Use Map is closely aligned with the City’s Future Land Use Map, with
areas labelled as “Center” in the ECOS Plan aligned “Higher Intensity”, Enterprise
designation lined up with Medium-to-Higher Intensity – Primarily Non-Residential,
and the Rural, Suburban, and village designations closely paralleling the Very Low
Intensity, Low Intensity, and Medium Intensity areas.
Th e South Burlington Comprehensive Plan, further, has been reviewed by the
CCRPC’s Planning Advisory Committee for consistency with Vermont’s required
Plan Elements and Statewide Planning Goals, including consistency with the Regional
Plan, and found to be in accord.
city of south burlington comprehensive plan
4-1
4.1 THE MAPS
Map 1: Current Land Use
Map 2: Build Out Analysis
Map 3: Water Resources
Map 4: Sanitary and Water Systems
Map 5: Road Class and Transit Routes
Map 6: Recreation Paths and Trails
Map 7: Primary Conservation Areas
Map 8: Secondary Conservation Areas
Map 9: Community Facilities
Map 10: Planned Infrastructure Improvements
Map 11: Future Land Use
Map 12: Land Use Planning Areas
4: REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
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N
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ESSEX
WILLISTONS H E L B U R N E R DDORSETSTS WIFT ST
WILLISTON RD
SPEARSTHIN
ESB
UR
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D89
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Map 1
Current Land Use
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Miles
Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Land Use
Commercial/Industrial
Condos/Apartments
Low Density Residential
Public/Institutional
Transportation/Utilities
Agricultural Use
Active Agricultural
Small Scale Agriculture
Farmers Market
Community Garden
Open Space/Farmland/Very Low Density Residential
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
R
N
E
ESSEX
WILLISTONMap 2
Build Out Analysis -
Maximum Build Out Under Current Zoning
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Additional Non-Residential Floor Area
Less than 25,000 sq ft
25,001 - 100,000 sq ft
Greater than 100,000 sq ft
Additional Dwelling Units
1 Units
2 - 5 Units
6 - 10 Units
11 - 50 Units
51 - 100 Units
101 - 443 Units
Conserved Land & Parks
Build Out Analysis completed
by the Chittenden County
Regional Planning Commission
December 2014
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
R
N
E
ESSEX
WILLISTONMuddy
Brook
Winooski
River
Bartlett
Brook
North
Brook
Shelburne
Bay
East
Munroe
Brook
Potash Brook
Englesby
Brook
Centennial
Brook
Map 3
Water Resources
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Miles
Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Data is updated by South Burlington unless otherwise noted.
Wetlands provided by VCGI (2010)
Watershed Boundary
Impaired Watershed
VSWI Wetlands
500-year Floodplain
100-year Floodplain
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
R
N
E
ESSEX
WILLISTONMap 4
Sanitary and Water Systems
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Waste Water Treatment Plant
Water Plant
Water System
Airport Parkway Sewer System
Bartlett Bay Sewer System
Burlington Sewer System
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
R
N
E
ESSEX
WILLISTONS H E L B U R N E R DDORSETSTS W I F T S T
W
I
L
L
I
S
T
O
N
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D
S P E A R S TH I N E S B U R G R D
89
189
Map 5
Road Class and Transit Routes
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
CCTA Bus Routes
Arterial Road
Collector Road
Local Road
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
R
N
E
ESSEX
WILLISTONS H E L B U R N E R DDORSETSTS W I F T ST
W
I
L
L
I
S
T
O
N
R
D
S P E A R S TH I N E S B U R G R D
89
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Map 6
Planned Rec Lanes and Paths
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Existing Bike Lane
Existing Rec Path
Existing Trail
Proposed Bike Lane
Proposed Rec Path
Existing Sidewalk
Note 1: Future roadways will include sidewalks & rec paths
pursuant to complete streets policy.
Note 2: Existing Trail mapping is incomplete and not shown
in all places.
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
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WILLISTONMap 7
Primary Conservation Areas
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
Document Path: P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\ComprehensivePlanMaps\ComprehensivePlan_2015\Map7_PrimaryConservationArea.mxd
0 0.5 10.25
MilesMaps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Data for this map was created by TJ Boyle Associates (2014).
Riparian Connectivity
20 - 25% slope
25%+ slope
Rare Natural Communities
100 Year Flood
Source Protection Areas - Zone 1
Rare Species
Wetlands
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
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WILLISTONMap 8
Secondary Conservation Areas
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
DRAFT October 2015
Document Path: P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\ComprehensivePlanMaps\ComprehensivePlan_2015\Map8_SecondaryConservationArea.mxd
0 0.5 10.25
MilesMaps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Data for this map was created by TJ Boyle Associates (2014).
15 - 20 % slope
Uncommon Species
Uncommon Natural Communities
500 Year Flood
Habitat Blocks
Primary Ag Soil
Deciduous Forest
Evergreen Forest
Mixed Forest
Grassland and Shrublands
Farm Land
Source Protection Areas - Zone 2
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
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WILLISTONMap 9
Community Facilities
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
Document Path: P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\ComprehensivePlanMaps\ComprehensivePlan_2015\Map9_CommFacilities.mxd
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Miles
Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Existing Bike Lane
Existing Recreation Path
Existing Recreation Trail
Open Space Parcels (City Owned)
City Park
Winooski Valley Park District
UVM Natural Areas
Proposed City Park Area
School
Existing Water Towers
Scenic Vista
Police Department
Dog Park
Public Works
Public Cemetery
CSWD
Fire Station
Library
Post Office
School
SOLID WASTE
City Office
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
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WILLISTON3
S H E L B U R N E R DDORSETSTSWIFT ST
WILLISTON RD
SPEARSTHIN
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7
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11
15
12
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16
22
4 18
9
10
6
2121
Map 10
Planned Infrastructure Improvements
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
Document Path: P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\ComprehensivePlanMaps\ComprehensivePlan_2015\Map10_PlannedInfrastructure.mxd
0 0.5 10.25
Miles
Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Reserved for Future Use
Proposed Roadways
Proposed Park and Rides
Schools
Parks
Future Public Improvements
Intersection
Road
Transport Site
Recreation
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
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WILLISTONBURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay S H E L B U R N E R DDORSETSTS WIFT ST
WILLISTON RD
SPEARSTHIN
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Map 11
Future Land Use
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
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Miles
Future Use of Land Categories
Planning Underway
Very Low Intensity - Principally Open Space
Lower Intensity - Principally Residential
Medium Intensity - Residential to Mixed-Use
Medium to Higher Intensity - Principally Non-Residential
Medium to Higher Intensity - Mixed Use
Streams
Waterbody
Document Path: P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\ComprehensivePlanMaps\ComprehensivePlan_2015\Map11_FutureLandUse.mxd
Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
BURLINGTON BURLINGTONESSEX
JUNCTION
Shelburne
Bay
COLCHESTER
WINOOSKI
SHEL
B
U
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WILLISTONS H E L B U R N E R DDORSETSTSWIFT ST
WILLISTON RD
SPEARSTHIN
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Map 12
Land Use Planning Areas
Comprehensive Plan
City of South Burlington, VT
February 1, 2016
Document Path: P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\ComprehensivePlanMaps\ComprehensivePlan_2015\Map12_LandUse PlanningAreas.mxd
0 0.5 10.25
Miles
Maps and GPS data (“material”) made available by the City of South
Burlington are for reference purposes only. The City does not
guarantee accuracy. Users release the City from all liability related
to the material and its use. The City shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Contact GIS@sburl.com with questions
Planning Areas
Northeast Quadrant
Northwest Quadrant
Central District
Southeast Quadrant
Southwest Quadrant
180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 | 802-846-4106 | www.southburlingtonvt.gov
MEMORANDUM
TO: South Burlington Planning Commission
FROM: Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning
SUBJECT: 2024 Comprehensive Plan: Statutory Requirements and “Knowns” leading into the Plan
DATE: May 24, 2022 Planning Commission meeting
Statutory Requirements:
A municipal Plan in Vermont, in order to be “confirmed” (and therefore valid and eligible for a variety of state
programs), must contain certain required elements and must demonstrate consistency with statewide planning
goals.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) will perform a review of the Plan at the start and
again at the end of the Plan preparation process, followed by a public hearing and action by the CCRPC’s Board
for confirmation. Throughout the process, staff will be working to assure compliance with these requirements.
There have been two changes of note to the enabling statutes in the time since the 2016 Plan was adopted:
• Act 171, Planning for Habitat Blocks and Forest Connectors requires that confirmed municipal plans address
the subject and includes in the Land Use Plan a component that “Indicates those areas that are important as
forest blocks and habitat connectors and plans for land development in those areas to minimize forest
fragmentation and promote the health, viability, and ecological function of forests. A plan may include
specific policies to encourage the active management of those areas for wildlife habitat, water quality,
timber production, recreation, or other values or functions identified by the municipality.”
• Act 174, Enhanced Energy Plans, gives municipalities the option to have greater weight – substantial
deference – in the State’s Section 248 review process for energy generation facilities by developing a plan to
meet identified targets for renewable energy generation and conservation. The Climate Action Plan Task is
looking at this subject and to date has recommended that the City strive to attain this designation if the
targets can be met in a manner that is consistent with the City’s other climate action and planning goals.
Knowns Leading into the Plan:
As presented in the Plan outline last month, the next (and iterative) step in the preparation of the 2024
Comprehensive Plan is to identify and establish “knowns” to serve as a framework for the Plan. These include
basic structural elements, existing adopted City Council resolutions, such as the Climate Change Resolution; and
economic and demographic conditions and projections, known land use conditions, and travel patterns.
The purpose of the knowns is to provide a common set of parameters for all those involved in preparing the Plan
to be cognizant of. Having an understanding of our anticipated population change and new housing will help the
City’s departments assess their service and capital needs, for example. These “knowns” are not intended to be
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policies in and of themselves – they are a framing, together with the overall vision and goals – to help every be
on the same page as we develop the Plan over the next year.
The “knowns” below are looking back, for the moment, and we anticipate projecting them forward in the
coming weeks as part of a full demographics report. We would welcome Commissioners’ thoughts on what
“knowns” we should be considering.
Overall Policy
• The Plan will meet the Statutory requirements for a regionally-confirmed plan
• The Plan will strive to meet the Statutory option for an Enhanced Energy Plan
• The Plan will incorporate the City Council’s resolution on Climate Change
• The Plan will make use of studies and reports undertaken and completed by the City since adoption of
the 2016 Plan
Population
• Annual population growth since 1990 has been 1.55%, and declined to 1.28 annually between 2010 and
2020. (The 2016 Plan anticipated 1-1.5% annually)
• The City’s population is becoming more diverse. The most recent data showed 11% of the population
speaking a language other than English at home, and increasing.
• The City’s population is aging. Average age is 41.7, which has been trending up. 18.5% of our population
is over 65 years of age.
• Of the City’s 8,801 households, 2,141 include a person with a disability
Housing
• Housing growth was 1.4% annually 2010-2020 (2016 Plan anticipated 1.5-2% annually)
• The City has averaged ~143 dwelling units added annually since 1980. The trend is steady and is
anticipated to remain, and possibly increase slightly based on City Center and State and Federal
incentives for affordable and missing middle housing.
• The majority of new housing since 2000 has been multi-family. Since that time, 64% of new homes have
been multi-family, and overall represent 41% of our total housing. Stand-alone single family homes now
represent 53% of our housing, down from 67% in 2000.
• Since 2010, approximately 85-89% of new housing that has been approved through development review
has been within or immediately adjacent to the City’s Transit Overlay District [note: this does not include
housing that was approved prior to that time and for which construction has been ongoing since]
Employment and Transportation:
• Of the City’s 8,801 households, 752 have no vehicle
• The City’s daytime population is ~24,592
• There are 20,120 employees and 1,418 businesses in South Burlington
• Home and Workplace. There is a lot of travel in a out of the City for work
o 2,613 people live and work in South Burlington.
o 17,639 people live elsewhere and work in South Burlington
o 8,206 people live in South Burlington and work outside the City
DRAFT 2024 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
10/18/2022
1.1. Core Values, Vision & Goals
South Burlington holds the following as our core values, vision, and goals that will drive our decision
making and work over the life of this Plan and beyond:
Inclusive, Fair, and Just. Create opportunity for all our residents and visitors.
• Strive to give each person a dignified experience in our community.
• Be equity-oriented, transparent, and fiscally responsible in governance, policy development and
implementation, investment, advocacy, and delivery of services.
• Be affordable, with housing for people of all incomes, lifestyles, and stages of life.
• Preserve our unique features while investing in enhancing and adapting our neighborhoods to
meet future needs.
• Be a recognized leader in public education offerings and outcomes.
• Provide quality public safety, infrastructure, health, wellness, and recreation services.
• Acknowledge that the City is on the traditional territory of the N’dakina/Abenaki and Wabanaki
peoples and support members of these nations and other indigenous nations within our
community.
Human-focused. Invest in a high-quality, human-scale built environment.
• Invest in parks, facilities, and infrastructure to build community, a sense of place, well-being,
and belonging.
• Focus on a safe, resilient, and efficient transportation system that prioritizes pedestrian, bicycle,
and transit options ahead of driving.
• Establish a vibrant, diverse, and community-focused city center with pedestrian-oriented design,
mixed uses, public buildings, public art, and civic spaces.
• Prioritize new development and re-development in built areas served by transit and public
infrastructure.
• Invest in, and support thoughtful infill into, neighborhoods so they thrive and evolve to meet
future needs.
Climate Resilient. Emphasize sustainability for long-term viability of a clean and green City
• Meet or exceed the goals of the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act by rapidly reducing
consumption of fossil fuels, significantly increasing renewable energy production, and
promoting energy efficiency
• Conserve and protect our natural resources, wildlife habitat and corridors, forests, agricultural
lands, and ecosystems
• Focus City investment on adaptive and resilient public infrastructure
• Vigorously promote clean air and clean water
• Conserve important historical sites and structures
• Provide recreational space for all residents
Opportunity-Oriented. Be a supportive and engaged member of the larger regional and statewide
community.
• Provide local and accessible services to our current residents, employees, and visitors, and plan
for people and nature of the next century and beyond
• Invest in and closely engage with education in our community
DRAFT 2024 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
10/18/2022
• Promote and support the City’s role as an economic engine for Vermont by promoting
community businesses and local job creation.
• Support a diverse and resilient economy with quality jobs, employment centers, small
businesses and entrepreneurship, educational and research systems, and strong markets for
local agricultural, food, and other products.
• Make decisions that explicitly consider the implications of today’s decisions on tomorrow’s
South Burlington, Chittenden County, and Vermont
November 7, 2022
Dear Economic Development Committee,
The Planning Commission is seeking feedback from the Economic Development Committee on two
questions related to housing in commercial and/or industrial areas.
First, in the shorter term, the Planning Commission has been approached regarding a business’ ability to
have short- to medium-term accommodations on its property in the Mixed Industrial-Commercial
district. OnLogic, a computer manufacturer, is currently building a new facility on Community Drive and
has now requested a zoning change to allow an on-site training and temporary employee housing center
for training new employees, hosting employees and customers. It would also allow new hires or
transfers to Vermont to live there until finding other local housing. This use is not currently permitted in
the Mixed Industrial-Commercial district (or nearby Industrial-Open Space district) and is also not
considered a short-term or extended-stay hotel because of the additional facilities and private use by
OnLogic-affiliated employees and guests. The Planning Commission is considering if a zoning change to
allow this type of temporary housing to be located in an otherwise commercial/industrial zoning district
will be wise in the long term.
Question: Should South Burlington allow business-related, short- to medium-term employee and
customer accommodations related to commercial uses in the Industrial-Open Space district in some
form? What restrictions or limitations should it have?
Timeline: The Commission would appreciate feedback from the EDC before January 31, 2023.
Second, in the longer term, the Planning Commission is working on the update to the Comprehensive
Plan for 2024. As part of that update, the Planning Commission will be considering whether or not to
allow or plan for housing in areas currently zoned and planned for future industrial use (like Tech Park
and east of Hinesburg Road south of I-89). The Commission is looking for feedback from the Economic
Development Committee on this question.
Questions
1. What are the implications for business and economic development of allowing housing in
current commercial/industrial areas?
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2. Should there be areas in the City that are reserved for business uses that are incompatible with
housing? For example, businesses that have heavy truck traffic, noise, light, or other effects that
could affect housing. Where should those areas be?
Timeline: The Commission would appreciate feedback from the EDC as part of the Comprehensive Plan
process by Spring 2023. Further information about Committee feedback for the Comprehensive Plan will
be forthcoming soon.
As further background, the Planning Commission has also received a request from the Wright family to
be able to add additional housing on their existing approximately 10-acre lot on Hinesburg Road to
exceed the allowed density of 1 unit per 3 acres in the Industrial-Open Space district. They currently
have three houses on the lot, so any additional housing would exceed the allowed density. In addition,
there are a few homes on Lime Kiln Road and possibly up to a dozen other properties in the City located
in districts that would not allow additional housing to be added to existing residential uses. None of
these properties have made a formal request, but they are similarly situated amongst otherwise
commercial uses.
Thank you in advance for your work on these questions. The Planning Commission values and
appreciates the EDC’s input. Please reach out to me, Kelsey Peterson, at
kpeterson@southburlingtonvt.gov with any questions.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Peterson
City Planner