Planning Commission

3/13/2025 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Mike O’Brien, Chair; Sarah Van Ryckevorsel; Brendan Sage; John Baker City Staff Present: Ravi Venkataraman Guests Present: Kristine Lott, Mayor Call to Order by: Mike Meeting Start Time: 6:31 PM Minutes Recorded by: Ravi II. Changes to the Agenda None III. Public Comment None IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: 3-0 (John abstained) Motion by: Brendan Second: Sarah Sarah highlighted Abby’s question to the guests during the last meeting regarding the proposed TDM requirements and the parking reductions. V. Public Hearing: Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) Sections 4.12 and 4.17 Motion by Sarah, seconded by Brendan, to open the public hearing. Voting: unanimous. Motion carried. Ravi provided an overview of the proposed regulations and requirements. Ravi reviewed comments on the draft regulations he received from CATMA, CarShare Vermont, and Green Mountain Transit in the last month, and their suggestions for revisions. Ravi added that he will need to have further conversations with Green Mountain Transit to determine how many points a project can receive for the ride credits option. Sarah asked about process going forward based on the suggestions from CarShare Vermont and Green Mountain Transit and about the degree of changes. Ravi said that the degree of change is minimal and that the Planning Commission could vote to accept the changes. Ravi went though the suggested changes line-by-line. Mike asked about the suggested number of points for the Green Mountain Transit ride credits option. Ravi said that the suggested change is to give points based on the number of ride credits offered and the amount for the discount,  Sarah asked about process going forward based on the suggestions from CarShare Vermont and Green Mountain Transit and about the degree of changes. Ravi said that the degree of change is minimal and that the Planning Commission could vote to accept the changes. Ravi went though the suggested changes line-by-line. Mike asked about the suggested number of points for the Green Mountain Transit ride credits option. Ravi said that the suggested change is to give points based on the number of ride credits offered and the amount for the discount, adding that the high part of the range indicates that the option could be costly depending on how many credits are given at a 100% discount. Ravi said that the costs of ride credits depending on the permutation could end up being comparable to the costs of a CATMA membership, but he does not have enough data to conclude that to be. Mike asked if there is a maximum point target. Ravi said that there are no maximums, but developers would be pledging to achieve a particular trip reduction if they exceed point targets. Mike asked if applicants would instinctually choose transit ride credits or CATMA because they offer the most points. Ravi said that the cost of all the options depends on the size of the project, and that in some instances, it may be cheaper for an applicant to choose options other than Green Mountain Transit or CATMA. Mike asked what would occur if a partner organization were to no longer exist. Ravi said that this would show up in the required monitoring and evaluation, that the applicant would be in violation of the regulations, and that applicants would have to modify their TDM plan to meet their trip reduction objectives. John asked the city would be able to award status based on the amount of points a project achieves, akin to LEED certification. Ravi said that that might be the next iteration of these regulations. Ravi added that these regulations are an introduction to TDM and that he is aware that he will need to do monitoring and evaluation in the long term to check how effective the regulations are. Motion by John, seconded by Brendan, to close the hearing. Voting: unanimous. Motion carried. Motion by Sarah, seconded by Brendan, to forward the draft regulations to City Council for their consideration. Voting: unanimous. Motion carried. VI. Discussion and Approval: FY25 Municipal Planning Grant for Community Engagement Support for the 2027 Master Plan Update Ravi provided background and overviewed the approach to the comprehensive plan update. Ravi said that many internal meetings among staff, and city boards and committees will be needed in the drafting of the plan update. Ravi reviewed the community engagement approach for the comprehensive plan. Ravi said that he is aware of how much community engagement has been done in the last five years, and that he hopes that the municipal planning grant can support creating and facilitating a targeted public engagement approach. Sarah asked about the validity of the current master plan. Ravi said that the framework of the master plan is still valid, but the data will need to be updated and information will need to be added per statutory changes in recent years. Motion by John, seconded by Brendan, to recommend to City Council to pursue applying for the Municipal Planning Grant. Voting: unanimous. Motion carried. VII. City Updates A. Updates from the Mayor Mayor Kristine Lott reviewed the outcomes of Town Meeting Day. B. Updates from the Inclusion and Belonging Commission  Mayor Kristine Lott reviewed the outcomes of Town Meeting Day. B. Updates from the Inclusion and Belonging Commission N/A C. Updates from City Staff Ravi reviewed the progress of the EV charging planning project, and said that the commission may want to discuss residential infill based on recent DRB projects. VIII. Other Business Sarah asked about the timeline for the replacement housing item. Ravi said that that will require more data before further discussions can happen, and that he is hoping the equitable housing needs assessment will provide that data. IX. Adjourn Motion by: John Second: Sarah Meeting End Time: 7:31 PM