Co-sponsored by NNE W4/7 NPA and Heineberg Community Center
Thursday, Aug. 2, 7:PM
7:00 Welcome to Heineberg Community Center - Gail Moreau, Director
7:05 Introduction of Councilors - Joanna Cole, Chair NPA Ward 4/7
7:10 Amendments 34 and 38 - Lea Terhune, NPA Steering Committee W4
34. Large Lot Overlay - to reflect existing neighborhood scale
38. Buildable Area Calculation – “to protect sensitive natural features, to prevent overdevelopment of properties that contain sensitive unbuildable areas, and to ensure that new development fits within the existing scale and intensity of the surrounding neighborhood.” [Examples: wet lands and slopes, drainage to lake/river.]
Councilor Russ Ellis, Ward 4
Emily Stebbins Vice-Chair Planning Commission
Barbara Leitenberg – questioned the Buildable Area Calculation.
Bob Schwartz, spokesperson for Appletree Point Farm neighbors – urged votes in favor of Amendments 34 & 38.
Tom Papp , President of Strathmore Homeowners Association – spoke of the difficulty in tracking the existing document changes, and recommended a tracking document, zoning enforcement and the need for performance metrics of the Zoning Department.
Chris Dutcher – is in favor of Amendments 34 & 38; thinks information needs to be disseminated.
Chuck Seleen – supports amendments 34 & 38.
Eric Bradford – cited density issues involved in Amendment 38 and urges support.
Scott Beckwith – if there is an increase in homes, who will pay for the infrastructure in neighborhoods?
8:00 Response from Councilors
Kurt Wright – will be supporting Amendments 34& 38. He addressed some “characterizations”, balance of neighborhood with development; noted other Amendments are also important (e.g. setback issues). Process – Monday - Council will be voting on a pared down list of issues. Some Amendments will be deferred; 34 & 38 will be voted on. Bonus Amendments will be “talked about” in another meeting.
Paul Decelles – will be supporting Amendments 34 & 38.
Craig Gutchell – will be supporting Amendments 34 & 38; tracking document should have come earlier in the process; development needs to be “smart” and “controlled”; the enforcement “process is broken” and needs to be “user friendly”.
Russ Ellis – supports Amendments 34 & 38. He spoke to Amendment #34 (Large Lot Overlay) and its importance.
More comments from residents:
Alan Sousie – noted the population of Burlington is also growing older.
Cliff Cooper, North Avenue News – asked if there a population “goal”?
Joe McNeil – cited the need for job growth and livable commercial area.
Jane Knodell – cited the need to build business space; she is supporting Amendments 34 & 38; they may change “a bit”.
Barbara Leitenberg – asked if there could be an “executive summary” of the "old" Zoning Ordinance and changes in the new Rewrite?
Amendment 38
Sec. 5.2.4 Buildable Area Calculation to be added as follows:
The intent of this section is to:
- To protect sensitive natural features;
- To prevent overdevelopment of properties that contain sensitive and unbuildable
areas, and ·
- -To ensure that new development fits within the existing scale and intensity of the
surrounding neighborhood.
For any properties two (2) or more acres in size within any RCO, RM, or RL zoning
district, the maximum building density or lot coverage shall be calculated using the
buildable area only. Buildable area shall not include those portions of the property
inundated at least six months per year by water including streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands
and other bodies of water; and, lands with a slope in excess of 30%.
The DRB may, if it determines that the public health, safety and welfare will be
appropriately protected, allow up to 50% of the maximum building density or lot
coverage to be calculated on lands with a slope between 15-30% if the applicant can
demonstrate that the additional density or lot coverage will be compatible within the
existing scale and intensity of the surrounding neighborhood, and not have an undue
