HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Natural Resources Committee - 06/21/2018South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
June 21, 2018
To Planning Commission Members,
The South Burlington Natural Resource Committee has serious concerns about the development of
the “Edlund/Martin” tracts, formerly UVM property. We are drafting a more thorough explanation of
those concerns and will forward those to you prior to a public hearing. There are multiple resource
concerns regarding this property, including the tree canopy (as the parcel is dominantly wooded with
mature trees and multiple tree species), habitat corridor provision, geologic features, and notably
water quality – given the slopes and location near the impaired Potash Brook. We will be working on
a completed draft during our next two meetings – we have a work session on June 27, 2018 and our
monthly meeting on July 11, 2018. We request time to provide feedback, inclusion in discussions,
and consideration of our concerns before any definitive decisions on the property are made. We want
to ensure that the zoning process is aligned with the natural resource objectives laid out in the South
Burlington Comprehensive Plan.
Specific areas of concern in relation to LDRs:
· Section “Gray Infrastructure” addresses transportation, public utilities, energy and
resource extraction.
· Section “Blue Infrastructure” Water flows throughout the City of South Burlington,
creating a “blue network” throughout the community.
· Section “Blue Infrastructure” also includes objectives to 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 habitat.
· Section: “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.
· Social Infrastructure: City population is a basic index of community growth and population
projections are a key element in determining a community’s growth-management policies.
· Recreation and Access to Natural Areas
There are already informal trails on the property being used by local residents and possibly
by folks connecting to the nearby South Burlington Park and UVM natural area. This is a
unique corridor in the city and we believe it is worth preserving for residents at- large.
Thank you in advance for your consideration,
South Burlington Natural Resource Committee
Betty Milizia
Kristin Williams
Lisa Yankowski
Dave Crawford
Laura Williams