Planning Commission

5/26/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Mike O’Brien, Chair; Abby Bleything, Vice-Chair; Amy Houghton; Joe Perron; Sarah van Ryckevorsel; Tommie Murray; Brendan Sage. City Staff Present: Eric Vorwald Guests Present: Kristine Lott, Mayor; Bryn Oakleaf; Aurora Hurd; Nicole Mace; Diane Potvin; Kate Coffey; Katherine “Deac” Decarreau; Robert Millar; Marine Owen Call to Order by: Mike O’Brien Meeting Start Time: 6:33 PM Minutes Recorded by: Eric Vorwald II. Changes to the Agenda None III. Public Comment Nicole Mace provided comments in support of the proposed amendments during public comment as she would not be able to attend the hearing. Kate Coffey also provided comments related to the amendment and cautioned the Planning Commission from acting too quickly without evaluating unintended consequences. She also provided comments related to existing developments and how they have impacted the neighborhood where she lives. IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: 4 - 0 Motion by: Amy Second: Sarah Motion to approve the minutes as presented. V. Public Hearing - Draft Amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) – Incentives for Housing Priorities A motion was made by Joe that was seconded by Amy to open a public hearing to take testimony and comments on the proposed amendments to the land use regulations. All were in favor. With that, a public hearing was opened at 6:48pm. With the hearing open, Eric provided the Planning Commission with an overview of changes that were made since the last hearing. After several clarifying questions from the Planning Commission, Mike invited the public to speak. Marnie Owen provided testimony in support of the amendments and indicated that the amendments would help support housing options for different groups such as service workers. Following Marnie’s testimony Diane Potvin spoke in favor of the amendments. She indicated that, as a life-long resident of Winooski, there need to be more housing options. She also indicated that, as the chair of the Winooski Housing Authority Board, she encouraged the  speak. Marnie Owen provided testimony in support of the amendments and indicated that the amendments would help support housing options for different groups such as service workers. Following Marnie’s testimony Diane Potvin spoke in favor of the amendments. She indicated that, as a life-long resident of Winooski, there need to be more housing options. She also indicated that, as the chair of the Winooski Housing Authority Board, she encouraged the Planning Commissioners to read the statement that was prepared by the Authority regarding the need for housing options. Next Bryn Oakleaf asked several questions about the amendments including the duration of affordability and if energy incentives were discussed. Robert Millar also spoke in favor of the amendments. Finally, Deac thanked the Planning Commission for their work on these amendments and indicated that it is an important step forward. With no other members of the public interested in providing testimony, a motion was made by Sarah that was seconded by Amy to close the hearing. All were in favor and the hearing was closed at 7:24 PM. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission continued their discussion on the amendments. Eric provided clarity on the intent of the density bonus related to the bonus units and indicated he would revise the language. There was also discussion related to the multi-unit building configuration incentive, and the Planning Commission suggested changes to this section. Eric agreed to make updates to this section as well. Following this conversation, the Planning Commission agreed that an additional hearing was warranted. A motion was made by Amy which was seconded by Abby to have a public hearing on the proposed changes at the regular meeting on June 23 rd . All were in favor. VI. General Discussion on Future Planning Commission Activities Due to time constraints this item was tabled. VII. City Updates Mayor Lott provided updates on the policy and priority strategy session; she provided information on an updated design for the hotel at Lot 7D; she indicated that the ARPA funding survey was still active and translations were in process; and noted that Council appointed Eric to the Airport Commission. Eric reminded those in attendance that the City’s Centennial Birthday Celebration was scheduled for June 4 th at Rotary Park. VIII. Other Business Eric reminded that Planning Commissioners about the next meeting on June 9 th , indicated he followed-up with members about term expiration, and stated that amendments to Burlington’s land use code were distributed. He also mentioned that the Burlington amendments included language on parking that may be of interest to the Planning Commission. No other business was discussed. IX. Adjourn Motion by: Amy Second: Sarah Meeting End Time: 8:30 PM