Planning Commission

SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION 28 JANUARY 2025 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday28 January 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in Room 301, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Zoom remote technology. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Acting Chair; M. Mittag, P. Engels, D. Leban, C. Laurence ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning; K. Peterson, City Planner; T. Newton, K. McCarthy, CCRPC; T. Barritt, R. Doyle, T. Bailey 1. Instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency: Ms. Riehle provided instructions on emergency exit from the building. 2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the agenda. 3. Open to the public for items not related to the Agenda: Mr. Doyle said he felt the City Center density is too low and doesn’t take into account undevelopable land such as the stormwater facility. It is also a place where store “fronts” don’t actually “front” on streets. Ms. Peterson noted the new Agenda format has caused some confusion. She hoped it would be more accessible to the public in the future. 4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report: Mr. Conner said the new Climate Action Manager is getting up to speed. She met today with CCRPC staff regarding updates on data as to how the city is doing overall and how well it is doing in relation to the targets. PAGE 1  5. Act 181 and Regional Future Land Use Map overview, outreach plan, and map Ms. McCarthy reviewed Act 181 noting that it aligns local, regional and state planning to help modernize how Vermont maps direct public investment. It also speeds up the Act 250 process. It recognizes that some areas of Vermont are suitable for growth, and those areas should be prioritized while others could be conserved. Ms. McCarthy they showed the new framework with Regional Planning Future Land Use Categories. The designated areas are: a. Downtown Center b. Village Center c. Planned growth area d. Village area e. Transportation f. Enterprise g. Resource Based Recreation h. Rural (including hamlet, general agriculture/forest, and conservation) With regard to Act 250 jurisdiction categories, Tier 1A gets a full exemption, Tier 1B gets a partial exemption, Tier 2 is unchanged, and Tier 3 is yet to be determined. There are 2 State-designated areas: “Center” and “Neighborhood.” Mr. Conner said there are also “steps” within the “centers.” Under the old program, you couldn’t go from one program to another. Now, as you do more, you can get even more benefits from the State. This encourages more planning. There is no limit on the number of “new town centers” a community can have. There is also a new Regional Plan approval process. A Regional Plan is now approved by the State Land Use Review Board comprised of 5 full-time commissioners. When a plan is approved, the designations are automatically approved. With regard to Action 250, effective 1/1/26, in Tier 1A, in areas planned for growth for developments of 50 units or fewer, there is no Act 250 review required. Act PLANNING COMMISSION 28 January 2025 PAGE 2 250 jurisdiction for developments in Tier 1B is limited to encourage smart growth. Changes to Tier 2 will be effective on 2/15/26. With regard to Tier 3, it was noted that Act 250 jurisdiction is to be determined through rule making and a stakeholder process effective 2/1/26. This is intended to protect Vermont’s most critical natural resources and will be determined the Land Use Review Board. There can be local regulations as well (e.g. wetland regulations) on each property. It was also noted that CCRPC will be responsible for providing housing targets to each municipality using the regional targets issued this month by the State. Mr. Laurence asked how all of this gets enforced. Mr. Newton said there is no “big stick” now; however, approval of a municipalities “municipal plan” could be withheld. Mr. Newton noted that housing targets will be numerical, and last week those targets for 2050 were provided at the regional level. Chittenden County’s target has a range of between 17,000 and 47,000 new housing units by 2050. Last summer, CCRPC staff and staff from municipalities worked on a methodology for assigning the targets to the communities. The last version had included an assignment for urban municipalities, rural municipalities, and those in between. CCRPC will apply that methodology to the targets see if it makes sense. If it does, they will release community targets in March; if it does not make sense, they will go back and relook at it. Ms. Riehle asked whether when housing numbers are assigned, people are taking into consideration where children are to go to school. She stressed that there is no room in South Burlington schools now. Mr. Newton said they did consider water and wastewater, and municipalities have space for 10-15 years. They also talked about schools. There are probably 5 years to allow communities to plan. Ms. Riehle said this could be an enormous cost, and as the South Burlington Planning Commission, it is their job to think about that. Mr. Laurence responded that in a state that’s the second oldest state, school overcrowding is a fixable problem and an aging population with no workforce is a lot harder to fix than building a new school. PLANNING COMMISSION 28 January 2025 PAGE 3 With regard to public outreach, there is a requirement for “meaningful public participation,” especially for those who traditionally are not reached. The hope is to fill the gaps. The Commission was asked where the previous gaps have been. Members noted renters and minorities. Mr. Laurence also noted the people who commute to South Burlington for work. It was also noted that there is much more diversified participation in community celebrations. Mr. Conner cited the Senior Center lunches on Wednesdays, the Recreation Department dinner, Library concert series, Illuminate Vermont, and attendance at the pre-Town Meeting evening. There are, however, very few events in February, March and April. Ms. McCarthy then showed the draft of a future land use map for South Burlington and noted CCRPC is trying to integrate the city’s plan into CCRPC’s targets. She identified the New Town Center development areas surrounded by growth areas and areas ready for growth. She also identified conserved areas, farms, etc. She specifically noted areas near Farrell Street that could be more densely developed as well as the Fayette Drive area. Mr. Laurence questioned whether the golf course would be a “conserved area.” Mr. Newton said the guidance on that isn’t clear, and they will have to have a consistent policy. Mr. Conner noted an area that is now permanently conserved (Wheeler Natural Park). He also noted there are habitat blocks that are not showing up in sewer service areas. Mr. Newton noted that South Burlington is more specific in its regulations than other communities. Mr. Conner also identified how Old Farm Road / Kimball/ Kennedy will be directed and showed the area approved for mixed use/multi-story buildings. Ms. McCarthy asked if that should be a “village center” for future development. Mr. Conner called it a “center of function.” Members expressed support for including this areas a village center in the next draft. Ms. McCarthy said they also weren’t sure what to do with the Tech Park area, and whether it would be appropriate for workforce housing. Ms. Peterson said there is a lot of manufacturing going on there which is not compatible with housing. Ms. Leban noted that Fed Ex is in that area and is a 24-hour operation which affects potential residential consideration. Ms. McCarthy asked if it could be a “planned growth area without residential.” Mr. Laurence commented that “planned growth area” seems like a “catchall” term. Mr. Bailey, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, said the committee has a recommendation as to what do with that particular area. They did a lot of PLANNING COMMISSION 28 January 2025 PAGE 4 work on it, and have submitted a letter to the Planning Commission. Ms. Riehle said it will be on a future agenda. Mr. Conner said staff is leaning toward having that as a “planned growth area.” Ms. Riehle stressed that this can be business growth, not necessarily housing growth. Mr. Newton said they will keep it that way for now. This spring or summer, the legislative bodies of each town will be asked whether they wish to have “Act 250 Tier 1B” status for applicable areas. Mr. Conner said the Planning Commission will have a good discussion as to “what it would look like,” so the City Council will have adequate guidance. 6. Planning for future Designated Centers in South Burlington With regard to the Fayette Road area, Mr. Conner showed the location of Larkin Terrace. He noted there is an approved plan for at least 5 new buildings (businesses, hotels, and housing all the way down to duplexes) and some parkland. The infrastructure already exists, and studies are done to make the area safer. Some buildings in the area are in the State Registry of Historic Buildings (e.g., the Eagles Club), which is a benefit to the City. What is missing are public or quasi-public gathering spaces. There are also no places of worship. Ms. Leban said the real concern is bike/ped safety as this is one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians in the city. Mr. Laurance added that Route 7 is the primary north-south route in the state and will always be a truck route. It can be improved, but it will never be a very suitable place for people to visit shops, etc. Mr. Engels cited the possibility of a walkway over Shelburne Road. It would also be a good location for a civic center for sporting events, concerts, etc. Ms. Riehle cited ownership issues. Mr. Doyle noted that cemeteries should also be “green” on the map. Ms. Leban said the City could have more bridges in the future. It would take major development to accomplish that. With higher densities that could happen. 7. Supporting Uses in Commercial Areas: Receive Feedback Letter from Economic Development Committee (EDC) Ms. Riehle acknowledged receipt of the letter and noted that discussion would be on an upcoming agenda. PLANNING COMMISSION 28 January 2025 PAGE 5 Mr. Bailey said he looked forward to more communication between committees. 8. Upcoming topics Ms. Peterson made note of the upcoming Commission topics. 9. Meeting Minutes of 12 November 2024: Mr. Mittag moved to approve the Minutes of 12 November 2024 as written. Mr. Laurence seconded. Motion passed 5-0. 10. Other Business: No other business was presented. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 9:07 p.m. ___________________________________ Clerk PLANNING COMMISSION 28 January 2025 PAGE 6