Planning Commission

7/18/2024 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Mike O’Brien, Chair; Abby Bleything, Vice Chair; John Baker; Brendan Sage City Staff Present: Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning; Elaine Wang, City Manager Guests Present: Mayor Kristine Lott; Ruth Steinmetz Call to Order by: Meeting Start Time: 6:33 PM Minutes Recorded by: Ravi Venkataraman II. Changes to the Agenda None III. Public Comment None IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes l A. April 25, 2024 Meeting Minutes: Tabled to next meeting because the commissioners who were present for the April 25, 2024 meeting were absent during this meeting l B. May 23, 2024 Meeting Minutes: ¡ Decision: Unanimous ¡ Motion by: Abby ¡ Second: Brendan l C. June 13, 2024 Meeting Minutes: Tabled to next meeting because the commissioners who were present for the April 25, 2024 meeting were absent during this meeting V. Nomination of Zoning Administrator Decision: Unanimous Motion by: Abby Second: Brendan Minutes: Ravi overviewed the statutory requirements for the Planning Commission to nominate a Zoning Administrator and City Council to appoint a Zoning Administrator. City Manager Elaine Wang requested that the Planning Commission nominate Ravi as the Zoning Administrator. VI. Election of Officers Election of Chair Decision: 3 - 0 (1 abstention) to elect Mike O’Brien as Chair  Wang requested that the Planning Commission nominate Ravi as the Zoning Administrator. VI. Election of Officers Election of Chair Decision: 3 - 0 (1 abstention) to elect Mike O’Brien as Chair l Motion by: Brendan l Second: Abby Election of Vice-Chair Decision: 3 - 0 (1 abstention) to elect Abby Bleything as Vice-Chair l Motion by: Brendan l Second: John Election of Secretary Decision: No action - the commission decided to table this to the next meeting to see if any members who are currently absent would be interested in serving as the secretary. VII. Discussion: FY 2025 Work Plan Ravi introduced the topic, saying that he put together a draft outline to give him guidance and orientation in his new role. Mike said that the focus for now should be on inclusionary zoning, and that staff should suggest sections to tweak in the regulations continuously. Mike asked for the commission’s availability on September 24 th for the possible joint Housing Commission Planning Commission meeting. Abby asked about the status of the St. Stephens property. Mayor Lott said that the property should be closing soon, and that a course will be determined after the closing. Mayor Lott said that depending on what the new owners may look to do on the property, there may not be a role for the Planning Commission. Brendan suggested that the commission should continue to work on encouraging housing growth and solving housing issues with the inclusionary zoning and replacement unit sections. Mike asked for an evaluation of the Gateway District form-based code to check if it’s meeting the city’s objectives. Mike asked about rezoning the Casavant Natural Area and Memorial Park. Ravi said that rezoning the properties won’t have too much of an impact because they are city-owned parks. VIII. City Updates Mayor Lott said that City Council passed all the Act-47-related zoning amendments on Monday. Mayor Lott added that Council is looking to create more awareness for City boards and committees, that council will be recording a video overviewing the City boards and committees on Monday at 5:30 pm, and that any commissioner interested in being on the recording should contact her. IX. Other Business A. City of South Burlington Land Development Regulations Amendments Ravi reviewed the proposed changes to the City of South Burlington’s Land Development Regulations. Mike asked the commission about the frequency of upcoming meetings. The commission came to a consensus to meet once a month for the time being.  Ravi reviewed the proposed changes to the City of South Burlington’s Land Development Regulations. Mike asked the commission about the frequency of upcoming meetings. The commission came to a consensus to meet once a month for the time being. Mike suggested a look at the historic preservation regulations to make sure it is meeting the City’s goals and intentions. X. Adjourn Motion by: Abby Second: Brendan Meeting End Time: 7:24 PM