Ward 1 NPA

Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) Wednesday, April 9, 2025 In-person at the Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect Street And Zoom online: https://zoom.us/j/96245939050 Webinar ID: 962 4593 9050 Or by phone: +1 929 205 6099 ID = 962 4593 9050 Facilitator: Selene Colburn Recorder: Carol Livingston 6:15 - Welcome and Food 6:30 - Formal Start - review agenda Introductions: name, street Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1 community. 6:40 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community 7:00 - City Council update - Carter Neubieser and Allie Schacter 7:30 - School Commissioner update - Gary Golden and Matt Price 7:40 - Proposed Burlington History & Culture Center - Gail Rosenberg 8:00 - Transportation Demand Management action plan (TDM) - Charles Dillard, City Planner 8:30 - Adjourn Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com, Selene Colburn selene.colburn@gmail.com, Sam Doherty samcharlesdoherty@gmail.com Gretchen Shuman gshuman7005@yahoo.com Rob Gutman rgutman@gmail.com  Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) April 9, 2025 MINUTES In-person at the Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect Street And Zoom online: Webinar ID: 962 4593 9050 Or by phone: +1 929 205 6099 ID = 962 4593 9050 Search for Ward 1 NPA Recordings at: https://www.youtube.com/@townmeetingtv/search?query=ward%201%20npa Facilitator: Selene Colburn​ ​ ​ ​ Recorder: Carol Livingston 6:15 - Welcome and Food 6:30 - Formal Start - review agenda ​ Introductions: name, street ​ All Attendees names listed here: ​ Sam Doherty, Allie Schacter, Richard Hillyard, Troy Headrick, Rob Gutman, Sharon Bushor, Marian Price, Gail Rosenberg, Peter Lackowski, Sharyl Green, Catherine Bock, Jeanne Keller, Caryn Long, Lisa Lax, Carol Livingston, Mark Demers, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Angie Chapple-Sokol, Tom Derenthal, Dave Cawley, Kathryn Vermann, Lyn Severance, Carter Neubieser, Brian Cina, Evan Litwin, Erhardt Mahnke, Shawny Corey, Charlie Giannoni, Gretchen Platt Online: Sophie Quest,, Serrill Flash ​ Announcements: share events, meetings, activities of interest to Ward 1 community. ​ List announcements with meeting details, links, etc. Brian: House Health Care Committee ​ ​ Summary of House Education Bill: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.454 Full bill language: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Appropri ations/Bills/H.454/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20and%20Legal%20Documents/H.454~Jul ia%20Richter~Fiscal%20Note~4-8-2025.pdf 6:40 - Speakout - an opportunity to raise concerns & appreciations about Ward 1 community Concerns raised: - Free Speech resolution being introduced to City Council Monday, 4/28. - DOGE/Federal cuts: people losing jobs, and dying due to careless decisions - Friendly reminder - lock your cars ​ - Jeanne Keller & Martha Lang filed appeal about UVMMC parking project, given ​ ​ amicus status, access to all material and can ask questions through  Green Mountain Care Board; unclear whether reconstruction needed. Email Jeanne for updates: jeannekeller2007@gmail.com 7:00 City Council update - Carter Neubieser, Allie Schacter ​ Carter: - Fire chief LaChance is retiring in June- confident in continuity of transition - Chief Shawn Burke started his work as BPD chief week - Carter doing lit drop of what his work has been this year - Free Speech Resn upcoming CC meeting: concern about detentions of foreign students at universities across the US. - Upcoming info about which committees Carter & Allie will be on - do know Carter elected to Board of Finance. -Carter grateful for discussions with Allie and working together -Allie - committed to being a team member, collaboration, working well with Carter -Mark Barlowe leading Democratic caucus; Gene Bergman leading Progressives ​ Open questions/answers: ​ ​ - Concern about news about texting during City Council meetings; ​ ​ - Any way to give municipal tax aid to people struggling with tax bills who are on fixed income? State level has this component, but municipal does not. Erhard - education funding may change - under $47,000 there is break for both education tax at state & municipal levels. -Recycling concern - increasing residential costs Allie - don’t want to continue to burden residential taxes; Carter - do need to cut costs, but concerned this is not the place; in long term look at municipal trash & recycling ​ ​ -Need for City Councilors to understand fully the issue of impact fees & how adjusting these fees helps save money Impact fees discussed at Planning Commission - important to look at impact fees creatively - especially parks Importance of strong inclusionary zoning requirements -City administration & councilors looking at ways to save money: combining​ departments to avoid duplication but need to invest in housing, solid waste Health care costs increase city burden - 2 highest categories of city costs = retirement and interest on money borrowed. - Strengthen, clarify parking fines enforcement (only enforce if debt is $2500) - UVM MOU - impact on housing - important issue for Ward 1 ​ ​ ​ Allie - top priority is UVM MOU - hopeful that can talk in fall 7:30 School Commissioner update - Gary Golden, Matt Price ​ Gary: - New-principal search at SA and Edmunds Elementary - Concern about governor’s education funding plan; Chitt. Co. too big to consolidate - State House legislators voting Thursday, 4/10, on proposed ED bill (see links above) Matt: - letter sent by VT Dept of Ed to all districts to certify Diversity, Equity, Inclusion - BSD has done a good job of managing funds, have some reserve funds; if we lose federal money, there will be major staff cuts 7:40 Proposed Burlington History & Culture Ctr - Gail Rosenberg ​ History and Culture Center: https://burlingtonhistoryandculturecenter.org/ Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BHCMSurvey ​ Fundraiser: April 17th, 6pm @ Burlington Beer Company - - Organization generated from community, not top down ​ - Center is working with current historical & culture centers​ ​ - Connections to people in Ward 1: Ohavi Zedek & lost mural; Sisters of Mercy; George Walter Williams = first Vter of color graduate from UVM med. school - Don’t have physical space at this point - can do virtual tours, online tours 8:00 Transportation Demand Management action plan (TDM) - Charles Dillard, City Planner ***​ Charles’ Slide show ​ - TDM = non- infrastructural ways for people to move around BTV - programs & services ​ - TDM action plan = result of study by city, requested by City Council - esp with parking changes arising from development - “Neighborhood TDM plans” - have hub in neighborhood with bike library, stroller library, place to deliver packages. BTV looking at possibilities for our neighborhoods. Sharon: look at how to augment pedestrian use. - Winooski and So Burl working on own TDM plans. - How can we de-incentivise students having cars on campus? - Concern about Residential Parking Program component in TDM = city “renting” empty ​ neighborhood parking spaces. Residents very concerned; TEUC (Transportation, Energy, Utilities committee) of City Council decided this is not a priority right now; - City Planning Dept (& Charles) would like to work on a neighborhood plan for our area once the UVMMC 18-month plan is completed - City Housing target - middle target = 7,120 new homes in next 25 years (2050). Have built 77 homes/yr for last 3 yrs - $500,000 median cost. Target requires 285/yr South end project - 1500 homes; Neighborhood code housing - 100’smore; Cambrian Rise & City Place scheduled for 100 more units each - Look at regional planning land use map: May 19 - close of public comment on the map CCRPC Housing Plan: This has housing target and land use: https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/our-plans/ecos-regional-plan/ecos-engagement/ 8:30 Adjourn  Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com Selene Colburn selene.colburn@gmail.com Sam Doherty samcharlesdoherty@gmail.com Gretchen Platt gshuman7005@yahoo.com Rob Gutman rgutman@gmail.com  It’s About Time! A Community-Driven Initiative “There are close to 200 historical societies throughout (Vermont) that work to document the history of particular towns or regions.” - Vermont Historical Society Burlington is not one of them. Who are these people? Who We Are  “The more you know your local history, the more you care about a place.” Jason Stuffle, Resident, Old East End Neighborhood Coalition From Eva Sollberger’s “Stuck in Vermont,” Greenmount Cemetery, 2021, Old East End Neighborhood Coalition St Joseph’s Cemetery The Pate Family  Who? Tell us your stories What? The historical figures Topics & themes of and unnamed importance to you people who built Burlington When? Where? Important time periods The places, landmarks, and eras How? and neighborhoods that Finding exciting ways to present hold significance these stories  Help to Shape the Future Volunteer Participate Donate Board of Future Focus Become a Directors Groups “Founding Funder” Ask your friends to Donate in 2025! Advisory take the survey Council Research/ Oral histories  Join Us for a Fundraiser for the Proposed Bur$ing(on His(or- & Cu$(ure Cen(er April 17th, 6pm @ Burlington Beer Company 180 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT The Lumière Northamerican Company 1901: Burlington's Role in the Development of Color Photography and Early Cinema Talk by Hugo Martínez Cazón Former home of the Lumière Brothers Factory Travel back to the first days of the twentieth century, when the world of the horse carriage and black and white daguerreotypes gave way to motion pictures and then to the daybreak of direct color photography. This talk will focus on the events of the first ten years of the twentieth century and why Burlington became one of the principal places to participate in these monumental changes. Free and open to the Public. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres with a cash bar. Sponsored by the Burlington Beer Company Funded in part by VT Humanities. Lots of fun! https://burlingtonhistoryandculturecenter.org/donate Transportation Demand Management Action Plan BURLINGTON OFFICE OF CITY PLANNING CHARLES DILLARD, AICP, DIRECTOR Citywide Transportation Options Study Overview The Citywide Transportation Options Study was a project led by the City of Burlington’s Planning Department in close coordination with other city departments to assess existing and previous TDM programs in the city and recommend approaches the City may take to build on those efforts. The study is the product of a 2021 City Council resolution. The goals of the TOS are to: 1. Evaluate the City’s TDM program and transportation needs 2. Identify opportunities to expand TDM beyond new development 3. Explore models for neighborhood-based TDM The TDM Action Plan is the culmination of the CTOS TDM Action Plan Overview Plan components: 1. Analysis of Previous and Current Plans and Studies 2. Best Practices Analysis 3. Public Engagement Summary 4. Strategies Toolkit Strategies Toolkit Toolkit components: 1. Transportation Options – specific ways of moving that the City should prioritize 2. Regulations and Plans – ordinance and policy planning priorities 3. TDM Management and Funding – operational and funding priorities 4. Neighborhood TDM Strategies – tools that expand the reach and equity of TDM Strategies Toolkit Toolkit format: Strategies Toolkit Toolkit format: 1. Strategy Overview – describes tool, assesses current application in Burlington, if applicable, and makes general recommendation 2. Benefit for Burlington – provides the rationale for why the recommendation is made and what the tool can do for our communities 3. Recommended Action Steps – details specific steps the City should take in implementing the recommendation; includes identification of any necessary partners 4.Strategies At a Glance – profiles whether the strategy is a citywide or neighborhood strategy, its relative cost, and a realistic implementation timeline Transportation Options Strategies Regulations and Plans Strategies Management and Funding Strategies Neighborhood TDM Strategies Burlington and Chittenden County Draft Housing Targets and County Land Use Map PLANNING COMMISSION 2025.04.08 Overview Act 47 (the HOME Act) introduced new requirements for regional and municipal plans. One of the Act’s primary rules requires that each Regional Planning Commission and municipality must include housing targets for 2030 and 2050. CCRPC has developed a tailored methodology that allocates the bulk – 60% - of growth to the four cities in Chittendent County: Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski and Essex Junction. Overview Each municipality has a low, middle, and high target. The middle target is what we will aim for. Overview Act 181 makes significant changes to the State’s planning framework, most prominently in the following two ways: ◦ Each municipality’s comprehensive plan, including planBTV, must be consistent with the regional plan and associated Future Land Use Map ◦ It establishes a new location-based process for Act 250 jurisdictional control and designated centers. The Act’s tiered approach intends to streamline environmental review and promote smart growth policies across the state. Overview Burlington’s DRAFT Future Land Use Map includes three Downtown Centers and three Village Centers •Eligible for Tier 1A status: full Act 250 exemption All other non-conservation areas are mapped as Planned Growth Areas •Eligible for Tier 1B status: 50 units on 10 acres or less are exempt from Act 250 Overview Planning in Burlington  “planBTV” is a collection of plans that outline a long-term vision for:  How we use and develop land  What infrastructure and tools are needed to support those uses  The plans in this collection are rooted in and inform the citywide Comprehensive Plan  We will be working on a new Comprehensive Plan in 2025/2026. planBTV: NNE will inform the new Comprehensive Plan This collection of plans includes… and the Citywide Transportation Plan New North End are about expanding safe, robust is our guide to downtown transportation choices that are development, a vital economy, competitive with the automobile. housing, and transportation choices. & the Open Space Protection Plan are about the long-term stewardship is about preserving and & management of the city’s natural enhancing the arts, industry, & recreation resources & innovation in the South End. Transportation Options Strategies T.1: Work with CarShare Vermont to expand carshare services and supporting programs Recommended Action Steps: 1. Work with CarShare Vermont to identify specific areas and demographic groups where there is unmet demand or opportunities for car sharing. 2. Streamline the permitting processes for allocating carshare spaces. 3. Integrate carshare space planning into all neighborhood planning processes. 4. Update the City’s development code to include requirements for shared spaces that can be used for carshare. 5. As funding becomes available, provide additional operating funds for CarShare Vermont. Transportation Options Strategies T.2: Work with CATMA to Expand the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Establish a program structure and define equitable eligibility criteria for Draft an annual program budget and secure 2. Implement a user-friendly registration system. 3. Develop and distribute marketing and education materials. 4. Develop and distribute marketing and education materials. Transportation Options Strategies T.3: Work with Go! Vermont to Expand the Ride Matching/Carpool Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Coordinate with Go! Vermont to evaluate gaps in participation. 2. Meet with local employers, schools, and community- based organizations to increase awareness of the program, recruit participants, and create more opportunities for commute matches. Transportation Options Strategies T.4: Work with GMT to Expand Transit Service and Pilot Microtransit Service Recommended Action Steps: 1. Develop and adopt bus stop design standards for Burlington. (Near Term) 2. In partnership with GMT, launch a marketing and information campaign to support transit. (Near Term) 3. If microtransit service is identified as a priority service, implement a microtransit pilot program. (Med - Long Term) 4. As funding allows, allocate additional local funding to support expanded GMT service. (Med - Long Term) Transportation Options Strategies T.5: Create Shared Stop Guidelines and a Unified Shuttle Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Develop and adopt a shared stop policy. (Med. Term) 2. Create public access to privately-operated shuttles. (Long Term) 3. Develop a unified branding identity for shuttle service. (Long Term) Transportation Options Strategies T.6: Update the City of Burlington Employee Parking Benefits Program to Incentivize Sustainable Commuting Options Recommended Action Steps: 1. Review current City employee transportation benefits and parking policies, 2. Update benefits to provide balanced options for employees. Transportation Options Strategies T.7: Implement a Sustainable Travel Choice Information, Education, and Marketing Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Begin coordinating with CATMA, GMT, Go! Vermont, and other local and regional partners to develop a unified brand for TDM programs in Burlington. (Near Term) 2. Launch a branded TDM website for Burlington. (Near Term) 3. Develop and distribute marketing materials that include trip planning information. (Med. Term) 4. Coordinate marketing and educational materials distribution with neighborhood Community Mobility Rituals programs. (Med. Term) Regulations and Plans Strategies R.1: Update and Expand Burlington’s TDM Requirements Recommended Action Steps: 1. Begin drafting a points-based TDM ordinance. 2. After finalizing the ordinance structure, begin developing TDM program guidelines to support successful implementation. TDM in the Region Municipalities with TDM programs in place: • South Burlington • Adopted in 2024 • Applies to new development • No commute trip reduction ordinance (CTR) • Winooski (zoning amendment in progress) • Currently under review • Applies to new development • No commute trip reduction ordinance (CTR) TDM in South Burlington Applicability • New Development – three tiers: • Requirements intend to reach target reduction in trips generated from a development TDM in South Burlington Trip reduction points (measured in % reduction in trips) achieved in four categories: • TDM Credits • e.g. transit-proximate development, mixed-use development • Active Transportation • e.g. sheltered bike parking, showers and lockers, pedestrian amenities • Site Design • e.g. bus stop amenities, carpool parking, park-and-ride spaces • Ongoing Activities • e.g. GMT credits, carshare, CATMA membership TDM in Winooski Applicability • New Development – three tiers: • Requirements intend to reach target reduction in trips generated from a development TDM in Winooski Points achieved via primarily elective strategies: • Required of all applicable development • Marketing to residents and/or employees • Elective Strategies • Bicycle-focused (e.g. parking, e-bike charging, showers/lockers) • Transit-focused (e.g. GMT credits, bus stop amenities, transit displays) • Misc (e.g. CATMA membership, carshare, trip-reducing uses) Regulations and Plans Strategies R.2: Adopt a Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Ordinance Recommended Action Steps: 1. Begin developing a CTR framework. 2. Draft and adopt the CTR ordinance. 3. Develop TDM program guidelines to support successful implementation. Regulations and Plans Strategies R.3: Adopt Neighborhood-Based TDM Plans Using the Neighborhood TDM Framework Recommended Action Steps: 1. Building on lessons learned through the Old North End neighborhood TDM planning effort, begin implementing the TDM framework process through City-led planning efforts. Regulations and Plans Strategies R.4: Adopt a Framework for Creating Parking Benefit Districts (PBDs) Recommended Action Steps: 1. Develop and adopt a PBD ordinance. 2. If and when priced parking expands to new parts of the city, collaborate with local stakeholders to implement PBDs. Regulations and Plans Strategies R.5: Update the Residential Parking Permit (RPP) Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Review the residential permit pricing structure and program management/operating costs. 2. Tie RPP permits to Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs. 3. As space allows, incorporate an employee permit option. Regulations and Plans Strategies Regulations and Plans Strategies Regulations and Plans Strategies R.6: Develop and Implement a Downtown Public Realm Safety Plan Recommended Action Steps: 1. Conduct a safety audit for downtown to assess current conditions and identify areas for improvement. 2. In partnership with the Police Department, Parking Services, Public Safety Committee, and Downtown Burlington, develop and implement safety improvements. • Improved lighting and streetscape/landscape treatments near public parking facilities, including the Downtown Garage and the Marketplace garage. • An ambassador program that deploys staff in the downtown area to monitor and respond to safety issues at priority locations and times of day, or offers to escort people to or from their vehicle upon request.As space allows, incorporate an employee permit option. Management and Funding Strategies M.1: Hire or Designate a TDM Program Manager/Coordinator Recommended Action Steps: 1. Designate a TDM coordinator at the City of Burlington. (Near Term) 2. As funding allows, hire a full-time TDM coordinator at the City. (Med. Term) Management and Funding Strategies M.2: Expand Funding Sources for TDM Recommended Action Steps: 1. Review existing local revenue sources, including parking revenue and impact fees, to confirm eligibility and feasibility for funding TDM programs. (Near-Med. Term) 2. Establish an annual TDM program budget and allocate funding from existing revenue sources. (Near-Med. Term) 3. After designating a TDM program manager, pursue state and federal TDM grant opportunities to fund TDM pilots and programs. (Long Term) Management and Funding Strategies M.3: Formalize and Expand Burlington’s Partnership with CATMA Recommended Action Steps: 1. Form a working group and hold monthly coordination meetings with City of Burlington and CATMA staff. 2. Identify and formalize goals, roles, and responsibilities, and memorialize in a Memorandum of Understanding. 3. Periodically evaluate the impact of partnership by collectively reviewing the success of TDM initiatives and adjust strategies as needed. Management and Funding Strategies M.4: Expand Public Advisory Roles for Non-Driving Transportation Issues and Needs Recommended Action Steps: 1. Review scope and responsibilities for the Walk | Bike council. 2. Ensure that a new or expanded council includes diverse representation of the community. Neighborhood TDM Strategies N.1: Establish a Public Bicycle/Electric Bicycle Lending Library Recommended Action Steps: 1. Identify partners and develop an operating plan. 2. Identify a central location for the library. 3. Promote the bike library. Integrate information about the library in citywide marketing materials and with community partners. Neighborhood TDM Strategies N.2: Establish Community-Based Mobility Hubs and Delivery Hubs Recommended Action Steps: 1. Pilot the community-based hub concept in the Old North End neighborhood. 2. Coordinate with community organizations in the Old North End to increase awareness about the hub and identify programming opportunities for the space, such as special events and service/resource distribution. 3. After 1 year, evaluate the impact of the hub and modify the approach as needed for application in other neighborhoods throughout Burlington. Neighborhood TDM Strategies N.3: Expand Burlington’s “Walk to Shop” Shopping Trolley Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Include funding for shopping trolley distribution as part of neighborhood TDM implementation. 2. Explore the establishment of shared, neighborhood trolley libraries to facilitate convenient transportation of groceries and goods. Neighborhood TDM Strategies N.4: Implement a “Bus Buddies” Transit Rider Education Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Form a “Bus Buddies” working group that includes GMT and community-based organizations who work with populations that may benefit from the program. 2. Develop and implement a training course for bus buddy volunteers to help them effectively support program participants. 3. Begin operating the program. Regularly gather input and feedback from bus buddy volunteers and from program participants to identify gaps in the program. Augment training as needed. Neighborhood TDM Strategies N.5: Pilot a Neighborhood Transportation Wallet Program Recommended Action Steps: 1. Identify funding and develop a budget for the transportation wallet pilot program. 2. Identify eligibility criteria and a pilot area to test the mobility wallet. 3. Coordinate with local community-based organizations and residents within the study area to identify mobility needs and desired benefits to include in the wallet. 4. Develop a price structure that includes “base” and “affordable” options. 5. Evaluate preferred format and technology options for distributing and managing the wallet. 6. Define equity-driven pilot evaluation criteria. 7. Based on pilot evaluation, consider opportunities to refine or expand the program. Strategies Prioritization Based on the recommended timeframes, budget realities and community priorities, the following strategies are recommended for a first phase of implementation, to be completed in 2025: 1. Update and expand Burlington’s TDM requirements. Adopt a point-based requirement structure that includes additional TDM measures and provides flexibility for developers. 2. Adopt a Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Ordinance, including amendments to Institutional Parking Plan requirements. 3. Adopt neighborhood-based TDM plans using the neighborhood TDM framework (New North End). Next Steps planBTV: New North End • Neighborhood TDM Frameworks for 3-4 sub-areas • Neighborhood Mobility Hub Conceptual Planning Mobility and Transportation Innovations (MTI) Grant • Funding for Mobility Hub Guidebook • Funding for conceptual design and implementation of a pilot Mobility Hub in Burlington’s Old North End neighborhood SECORD (South End Coordinated Redevelopment) • Goal to create one or two Mobility Hubs that can facilitate the City’s and its partners’ goal of creating a car-light urban district in Burlington’s South End THANKS! Charles Dillard Principal Planner/Interim Director City of Burlington Office of City Planning cdillard@burlingtonvt.gov