Planning Commission

6/23/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Mike O’Brien, Chair; Abby Bleything, Vice-Chair; Joe Perron; Sarah van Ryckevorsel; Tommie Murray; Brendan Sage City Staff Present: Eric Vorwald Guests Present: Kristine Lott, Mayor; Sean McMannon; Katherine “Deac” Decarreau; Addie Livingston; Jack Commo; Grace Pfeil; Andy Blanchet; Michael Arnold; Langley Smurthwaite 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 Mike asked if anyone from the public had comments to offer on items not on the agenda. Sean McMannon requested an opportunity to speak about the proposed amendments since he would need to leave the meeting early. The Planning Commission agreed and Sean provided information from the Winooski School District regarding the student population and the need to create more housing for families to remain in the City. He also emphasized the need to support the refugee and new American communities through the school and working to ensure those families could remain in the City. He also referenced a written statement that was prepared and Mike indicated it would be included in the record - click here to view. IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: 4 – 0 Motion by: Joe Second: Tommie Tommie made a motion that was seconded by Joe to approve the minutes as presented. Sarah asked about the public comments regarding impact fees and conditional uses and how, if at all, those topics get incorporated into the Planning Commission’s work. It was noted that Council was working on the impact fee question and that the Planning Commission could address conditional uses as they are reviewed through the land use regulations. V. Public Hearing: Draft Amendments to the ULUDR – Incentives for Housing Priorities A motion was made by Sarah that was seconded by Tommie to open a public hearing. All were in favor. With that, a public hearing to solicit comments on the draft amendments for housing incentives was opened at 6:43 PM. With the public hearing open, Eric provided an overview of the draft language. He indicated that  A motion was made by Sarah that was seconded by Tommie to open a public hearing. All were in favor. With that, a public hearing to solicit comments on the draft amendments for housing incentives was opened at 6:43 PM. With the public hearing open, Eric provided an overview of the draft language. He indicated that changes were made based on the discussion at the previous meeting and he would highlight those changes after the public had an opportunity to speak. He also noted that the version of the amendments advertised for the public hearing did not include the proposed changes therefore additional discussion may be needed by the Planning Commission to determine if any additional changes would be needed to the updated draft. Mike began calling on members of the public in attendance interested in providing comments or testimony on the proposed amendments. Multiple members of the public were in attendance and spoke on specific items in the draft amendments. Comments provided by the public included a need for more affordable multi-bedroom housing to ensure residents in all incomes can afford to live in the City; support for the density bonus; need for more housing options, not necessarily just ownership options; and similar comments. These sentiments were echoed by most of the members of the public in attendance. Following comments from the majority of those in attendance, Abby asked for clarification and information from Sean regarding the data that he presented. The Planning Commission then engaged with Sean on multiple points related to the school population and housing concerns including the need for a variety of housing options with renter and ownership opportunities. Following public comments, the Planning Commission discussed the draft, including the proposed changes to eliminate the density bonus. After some additional discussion by the members, Eric provided more detail on where the potential density may take effect, if included. He also provided specific numbers on the possibility for new developments that may take advantage of the PUD provision for additional density. Following this additional information, the Planning Commission contemplated leaving the density provision in. After some additional discussion on this component, a motion was made to forward the draft housing incentives to the City Council, with the proposed changes and the inclusion of the provision of the density bonus. The motion passed by a vote of 3 – 1. With no other actions, the public hearing was closed at 8:46 PM. VI. General Discussion on Future Planning Commission Activities This item was tabled due to lack of time. VII. City Updates Mayor Lott provided updates including coordinating a meeting with all the commissions to jointly discuss the policies and priorities for the year. She also provided the Planning Commission with information on the Inclusion and Belonging Commission and a proposed stipend that may be offered for those members. Eric provided an update on the reappointments by City Council and indicated that the Parking Inventory, Analysis, and Management Plan was approved by Council. VIII. Other Business Eric provided an update on the status of the City’s efforts to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission. He also indicated that the next meeting would be on July 14 th . IX. Adjourn Motion by: Abby  Eric provided an update on the status of the City’s efforts to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission. He also indicated that the next meeting would be on July 14 th . IX. Adjourn Motion by: Abby Second: Joe Meeting End Time: 8:55 PM