Ward 3 NPA

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · April 15, 2026

Minutes

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Sharon Bushor Room, Burlington City Hall Meeting Minutes 1. Welcome & Call to Order The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:33 PM by Zachary Cummings, Ward 3 NPA Steering Committee member. A motion to adopt the agenda was made, seconded, and approved by a voice vote. 2. Attendee Introductions • NPA Steering Committee Members: ✓ Brooks Cummings, Cherry Street ✓ Zachary Cummings, South Champlain Street ✓ Darrell Fields, Church Street • City Officials/Staff: ✓ Mark Barlow, City Councilor, North District ✓ Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District ✓ Barbara Turnbull, Dept of Finance and Administration ✓ Charlie Giannoni, Town Meeting TV • Presenters: ✓ Rick Bove, Local Developer ✓ Katherine Schad, Dept of Finance and Administration (via remote attendance) ✓ Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Board of Assessors ✓ Rob Gutman, Board of Assessors • Community Members/Public: ✓ Donna Bister, Peru Street ✓ Dawn Ellis, Woodridge Drive (Ward 4) ✓ Susan Forester, College Street ✓ Jill Lesh, College Street ✓ Amy Taylor, College Street 3. Ward 3 Priorities Discussion Jonathan Chapple-Sokol explained the origin of the "Priorities" resolution, noting it aims to formalize the relationship between NPAs and the City Council. The goal is for each ward to identify three to five priorities that the Council should discuss with the NPA before taking major votes. Overdose Prevention Center (OPC): Members inquired about the status of the harm reduction initiative. Councilor Melo Grant clarified that while the resolution passed by Ward 3 was presented to the Council, no specific locations have been vetted successfully yet. She encouraged the NPA to provide more advanced notice for future major votes to increase community participation. Homelessness and Housing: • Jill Lesh and Amy Taylor expressed concern regarding where the unhoused population is sleeping, noting reports of hypothermia deaths during the winter. • Councilor Grant noted that the 80-day cold weather shelter motel program ended in early April, which may lead to increased presence in City Hall Park. She highlighted the "Build Resolution" report on housing barriers and suggested future presentations by Charles Dillard on neighborhood code changes. • Dawn Ellis discussed the need for "simple interventions" to help those facing housing disruptions connect with kin or social networks before they fall into chronic homelessness. NPA Participation: Donna Bister and others expressed concern that current meeting attendance is not representative of the whole ward. Suggestions included better signage at City Hall and more proactive outreach beyond Front Porch Forum. 4. Bove’s Restaurant Redevelopment Project Rick Bove presented a proposal for the former Bove’s Restaurant site on Pearl Street. • The Proposal: A 100% affordable housing project featuring approximately 25 efficiency units (425–500 sq. ft.). The building is proposed to be between four and six stories. • Affordability: Rents are targeted at $1,395, including all utilities (heat, electric, Wi-Fi). • Historic Preservation: Because the site is a historic structure, demolition is only permitted if a replacement plan is approved. The UVM Historic Society indicated support for demolition if replaced with community-use housing. • Design: The rendering includes "Art Deco" cues, such as six-sided windows, as an homage to the original restaurant. • Parking: No on-site parking is required or provided in this zone; the project emphasizes walkability and proximity to the bus station. 5. Understanding Your Property Tax Bill CAO Katherine Schad provided an overview of the municipal tax bill structure. • Split: The bill is roughly a 2/3 (State Education) to 1/3 (Municipal) split. • "Splinter" Taxes: The municipal portion is composed of various dedicated taxes (e.g., Penny for Parks, Street Capital, Library, Housing Trust, Police/Fire). • Retirement & Debt: Retirement is the largest line item on the municipal side. Unlike other rates, the CAO is authorized by the Charter to set the retirement and debt service rates based on the city's actual obligations without a separate annual public vote. • Reform: CAO Schad noted the Mayor’s interest in simplifying these "splinter" taxes to make the bill more predictable. 6. How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment Jonathan Chapple-Sokol and Rob Gutman (Board of Assessors) outlined the grievance process. • Deadlines: Grievances must be filed by May 14th at 4:00 PM via the OpenGov portal. • Basis for Appeal: Successful appeals usually focus on factual errors (e.g., incorrect bathroom count) or subjective "Quality and Condition" ratings. • The Process: Appeals before the three-member Board of Assessors are informal (approx. 15 minutes). If denied, taxpayers can move to the Board of Tax Appeals and finally the State. • Property Record Cards: Residents were encouraged to look up their "Property Record Card" online to see the specific data the city has on their home. 7. Public Forum Melo Grant (City Councilor) provided several updates: ● Mayor’s Meetups: The next Central District meetup is May 12th at 5:30 PM. ● Budget: Departmental budget presentations begin next week; residents can follow along via Town Meeting TV or the city website. ● Accountability Court: State’s Attorney Sarah George recently reported that the court has cleared hundreds of cases, reducing backlogs. ● New Councilor: Laura Sanchez Parkinson has been sworn in as the new Ward 3 City Councilor. 8. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.

Agenda

Packet

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St. Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243 Facilitator: Zach Cummings 6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules. 6:35 pm Ward 3 Priorities Discussion | 25 min A discussion about the NPA’s priorities as the relate to the City Council. • Ward 3 NPA Members 7:00 pm Bove’s Restaurant Redevelopment Project (Pearl St) | 20 min A presentation on a proposed housing development on the site of the former Bove’s restaurant. • Rick Bove • Dave Hartnett 7:20 pm Understanding Your Property Tax Bill | 30 min A presentation to help city residents understand their property taxes. • Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer 7:50 pm How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment | 30 min A presentation to help city residents appeal their property tax assessment. • Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Ward 1 NPA 8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events. 8:30 pm Adjourn Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 6. Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram • Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda Page 1 of 21 Appendix to the Agenda Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles. • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time. • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator. • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group. • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand. • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments. • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests. Public Forum Protocol • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting consistent with the process used by the City Council. • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the order in which the requests were received. • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their time to other speakers. • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are disruptive and/or obscene. • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will be provided an opportunity to speak. Question-and-Answer Protocol • Please state your full name prior to asking your question. • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question. • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate. • Ward 3 residents will be given priority. Discussion and Debate Rules • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator. • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA. • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to speak once. • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to speak twice. Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2 Page 2 of 21 Page 3 of 21 Page 4 of 21 Page 5 of 21 Appealing Your Appraisal Ward 3 15 April 2026 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol Rob Gutman These are solely the opinions of the presenters, and do not represent the views of any City office, board, commission or staff member and do not obligate the city in any way This presentation is focused on residential property. We can talk about rentals and commercial property as well, if you have questions Page 6 of 21 This From the Assessors Web Page https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/166/Assessors-Office • General Property Value Updates (non-reappraisal project annual work) • The Office of the Assessor staff may call you and/or email a request for a property inspection as a result of recent improvements made to your property. Most often our request comes from a review of permitted improvements reviewed through Open Gov software. This is the same software that the Department of Permit and Inspections uses. Our office uses other means of property review such as driving through sections of the city and sales review. These types of reviews may result in a request for inspection from our office. Page 7 of 21 Why Me? • The City reappraises some properties in years between city-wide re-appraisals for a number of reasons • First, pat yourself on the back – you are a homeowner! Renters do not get to appeal their landlords’reappraisals (though maybe they should?) • You may have closed permits in the past year, indicating completion of work you did on your home. • Publicly available information on sales, or your property does not match the records the City has (extra bathroom, finished basement,…) This may suggest there have been unpermitted improvements done to your home (note that even if you bought the home and haven’t done any work on it, you still may be responsible for work the prior owner did. • The City may discover an error or inconsistency in their records that they need to correct. • Schedules on permits may suggest work is complete even if the permit hasn’t been closed • The Assessors office may re-appraise an entire class of property (all duplexes, for example) • The City does not reappraise based on a home sale!!! That is not legal. • The City will generally request an inspection of your property before correcting errors or changing your appraisal Page 8 of 21 What do I do if I disagree with the re- appraisal? • You can appeal it! • File a grievance – Due by 5/14 at 4PM • You can call the assessor’s office and have a conversation with the Assessor and sometimes you can settle the appeal without going to the Board (802-865-7114) • Appear at the Board of Assessors – this is a board of 3 people (Assessor and 2 residents) that reviews your grievance and decides if there is merit • Note that the BoA meets annually in the last or second-to-last week of May (in Charter). Appeals are about 15 minutes long • The BoA is focused on the fairness of your property valuation and not on your ability to pay. • If you don’t agree with the BoA, you can appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals, a quasi-judicial group • If you still don’t agree, you can appeal to the State – that decision is final Page 9 of 21 Outcomes of a BoA Appeal • Accepted – BoA agrees with your reasoning and proposed valuation • Modified – • BoA agrees with your reasoning but thinks your property valuation is different from your proposal, or • BoA does not agree with your reasoning but thinks there needs to be an adjustment in your valuation (this is usually to your advantage, but not always…..) • Denied Page 10 of 21 Appealing to the Board of Assessors • Your appeal to the BoA needs to explain the reasons the appraisal is unjust • Better reasons : • Errors • You say I have 3 bathrooms but I only have 1 • You say I have a finished attic but I’m still a year away • You say my living room is 10x30 but it is only 10x15 • You have overestimated the quality or the condition of my house • You have a recent commercial appraisal that doesn’t match the city valuation • You are valuing some intangible (view, yard….) too high • Not as good reasons • My Appraisal is simply too high! • My neighbor’s house is valued lower • Note that you can appeal any appraisal at any time – if you decide a re-appraisal you received 3 years ago is wrong, you can still appeal!!!!! Page 11 of 21 Quality and Condition • These are the most subjective components of an assessment. Nonetheless, they are assigned on the basis of standard rubrics and descriptions that the Assessor’s office works to apply equitably. • They are on a scale range from Poor to Excellent. They can make a significant difference in your home’s valuation. • Condition is what shape your home, in general, is – newer, fresh, or tired, run down? • Quality is more like ’the bones’ (structural robustness) and the quality of the stuff inside the house – is the kitchen counter formica or granite? Page 12 of 21 Owners and Assessors’ Opinions - 2022 Owners' Opinion Granted Modified Denied Total Assessors' Opinion Granted Modified Denied Total Condition 13 3 16 Card Correction 1 15 1 17 Comps 1 7 4 12 Appraisal accurate; no Card errors 1 9 1 11 change 16 16 Overvalued 3 6 9 Condition 2 10 12 Income data 7 7 Adjust based on income Appraisal 2 4 6 approach 1 8 9 Sales Comps 2 2 1 5 Card Correction, Condition 1 3 4 Land 3 1 4 Land 4 4 Incomplete Sales Comps 3 1 4 Improvements 1 1 2 Quality 3 3 Comps, Condition 1 1 2 Incomplete Improvements 1 2 3 Unexplained Increase 1 1 2 Condition, Errors 1 1 2 Not commercial Closed Permits 1 1 2 property? 1 1 Land; Condition 2 2 Appraisal, Comps 1 1 New Information 1 1 Formula 1 1 Condition, finished area 1 1 Land; Condition 1 1 Valuation as residential 1 1 Purchase Price 1 1 Quality; Condition 1 1 No Contest 1 1 Adjusted Depreciation 1 1 Condition, Income Condition, Land 1 1 data 1 1 Card Correction; Land 1 1 Use not accounted for 1 1 Appraisal, Income data 1 1 Page 13 of 21 At and After the Meeting (~15 minutes) • You get to state your case • Bring supporting materials if you wish • The Board members may ask questions relevant to your appeal • Decisions are made after the appeal session • In fact, the Assessor may ask if it’s OK to schedule a visit to look at your property (if you say yes, then do not let the Assessor in, you will probably lose the appeal ). Visits are fantastic ways to clarify property value • The Assessors’ office does a review and shares opinion with the rest of the Board. Together the Board makes the decision, and the appellant is notified mid-June. Page 14 of 21 The Appeals Process • https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/462/Property-Appeal- Procedures-Board-of-Asse • https://burlingtonvt.portal.opengov.com/ • Appeals Deadline is 5/14 at 4PM!!!! • Also –you need an OpenGov Permitting and Licensing account. You can call the office if you need help 802-865- 7114 Page 15 of 21 Page 16 of 21 Page 17 of 21 The Property Record Card • https://property.burlingtonvt.gov/ Page 18 of 21 Page 19 of 21 Page 20 of 21 Thank you! What Questions Do you Have? Page 21 of 21