Monday, July 27, 2015
Proposed plan for the Green Mountain Center
State regulators have dealt a blow to a Connecticut developer's plans for a massive commercial and residential project off Interstate 89 in Randolph.
In a ruling last week, the District 3 Environmental Commission asked Jesse "Sam" Sammis to scale back a project in order to protect several open fields where he proposed to build apartments and other structures.
Sammis wants to transform 178 acres of open land around Exit 4 into a development of 274 homes, a 180-room hotel and conference center, more than 500,000 square feet of office and light industrial space, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center and an interstate rest stop with an attached retail outlet.
"At present, the commission is not persuaded that the project as designed is compact enough to satisfy [land-use regulations]," commission chair Tim Taylor wrote. "We invite the applicant to present a new plan showing a more compact design."
Tags: Randolph , Jesse Sammis , Act 250 , development , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
A proposed city planning document for Burlington's South End that supports new housing in the Pine Street arts and industry district won an unpopularity award Tuesday night.
More than 100 people packed a presentation at Arts Riot about the draft PlanBTV South End, and many panned it. The zoning changes envisioned in the plan could lead to gentrification and displace artists and makers who have turned the neighborhood into Burlington's own version of SoHo, many speakers proclaimed.
The draft planBTV South End assumes the road, which has the support of Mayor Miro Weinberger, will be built. Several speakers said the proposal is outdated and will only increase congestion in the neighborhood. Don't build it, said Amy Rubin. "This is '60s thinking. This is 20th century thinking. We have to stop accommodating cars."
More than 100 people packed a presentation at Arts Riot about the draft PlanBTV South End, and many panned it. The zoning changes envisioned in the plan could lead to gentrification and displace artists and makers who have turned the neighborhood into Burlington's own version of SoHo, many speakers proclaimed.
Burlington should not try and solve its affordable housing problem with zoning changes that could trigger rent hikes in commercial-industrial space and push artists and small businesses out, said Amey Radcliffe, co-owner of Gotham City Graphics. "We want to keep jobs strong here," Radcliffe said.
The city should instead beef up its affordable housing regulations so new units built in other parts of Burlington are not overpriced. "We don't need any more luxury condos," Radcliffe said.
Maggie Standley agreed. The current zoning is fine, the artist said. "We're a maker community. Allowing housing into the
The city should instead beef up its affordable housing regulations so new units built in other parts of Burlington are not overpriced. "We don't need any more luxury condos," Radcliffe said.
Maggie Standley agreed. The current zoning is fine, the artist said. "We're a maker community. Allowing housing into the
Enterprise district is problematic."
Carrying signs that read "We've got this, keep the protective industrial zone" and "gentrification = disintegration of arts and industry," many people questioned the proposals in the draft PlanBTV South End and the process that led to them. Several speakers said the thick draft misrepresented public input gathered at meetings and understated opposition to zoning that would allow housing in the Enterprise Zone where it is now prohibited. Some called it a plan driven by city officials and the local "real estate industrial complex" rather than the people.
Burlington planning and zoning director David White responded patiently to the many criticisms. He said infill housing could be carefully done in the neighborhood to meet a range of needs, including "the missing middle" — people who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but can't afford market rate apartments or homes. He emphasized that the plan is still a draft, with more public input to be gathered before it goes to the city council for final approval or rejection.
White also stressed that gentrification is happening without any zoning changes in the area, and disagreed that allowing housing would be the death of the arts district. "I don't think we agree that it spells doom,'' White said.
One speaker asked people to raise their hands if they supported zoning for new housing. A few hands went up, while arms filled the air when people were asked if they wanted to maintain current rules that prohibit new housing in the Enterprise Zone.
But some said the turnout was not reflective of Burlington's full population, and that the show of hands was not a good measure of the proposal's merit.
"I don't think this room is representative," said Dawn Moscowitz, a community organizer. The need for housing is acute and families are increasingly priced out of the South End, she said. It's important that the process give voice to people who "are living on the margins and don't have the opportunity to come to forums like this" Moscowitz said.
The discussion also veered off to criticism of the proposed Champlain Parkway, a long-discussed road that would help carry traffic from Interstate 89 to Pine Street and downtown.
Molly Walsh/Seven Days
A crowd gathered Tuesday night to discuss possible zoning changes in the South End at ArtsRiot in Burlington.
Burlington planning and zoning director David White responded patiently to the many criticisms. He said infill housing could be carefully done in the neighborhood to meet a range of needs, including "the missing middle" — people who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but can't afford market rate apartments or homes. He emphasized that the plan is still a draft, with more public input to be gathered before it goes to the city council for final approval or rejection.
White also stressed that gentrification is happening without any zoning changes in the area, and disagreed that allowing housing would be the death of the arts district. "I don't think we agree that it spells doom,'' White said.
One speaker asked people to raise their hands if they supported zoning for new housing. A few hands went up, while arms filled the air when people were asked if they wanted to maintain current rules that prohibit new housing in the Enterprise Zone.
But some said the turnout was not reflective of Burlington's full population, and that the show of hands was not a good measure of the proposal's merit.
"I don't think this room is representative," said Dawn Moscowitz, a community organizer. The need for housing is acute and families are increasingly priced out of the South End, she said. It's important that the process give voice to people who "are living on the margins and don't have the opportunity to come to forums like this" Moscowitz said.
The draft planBTV South End assumes the road, which has the support of Mayor Miro Weinberger, will be built. Several speakers said the proposal is outdated and will only increase congestion in the neighborhood. Don't build it, said Amy Rubin. "This is '60s thinking. This is 20th century thinking. We have to stop accommodating cars."
Tags: Burlington , arts district , zoning , South End , Image , Web Only
Thursday, May 21, 2015
People who arrived at the housing summit with concerns about unbridled development probably didn't leave feeling any less worried.
The keynote speaker, Tom Angotti, a professor of urban affairs and planning at Hunter College, came bearing stories of gentrification and development gone awry in New York City.
"We’re seeing that happen here," a woman in the audience told Angotti. "So what do we do?"
"Three suggestions," offered the visiting professor: "Organize, organize, organize."
Burlington residents have been doing plenty of that already. Members of Save Open Space Burlington, which formed when Burlington College was selling a large tract of lakefront land to developer Eric Farrell, have joined forces with people concerned that putting housing in the South End's Enterprise Zone will squeeze out artists and business owners.
Both groups came together to plan Wednesday's event, along with members of the neighborhood planning assemblies. Held at Contois Auditorium in Burlington City Hall, it was billed as a response to Mayor Weinberger's 18-point housing action plan.
The keynote speaker, Tom Angotti, a professor of urban affairs and planning at Hunter College, came bearing stories of gentrification and development gone awry in New York City.
"We’re seeing that happen here," a woman in the audience told Angotti. "So what do we do?"
"Three suggestions," offered the visiting professor: "Organize, organize, organize."
Burlington residents have been doing plenty of that already. Members of Save Open Space Burlington, which formed when Burlington College was selling a large tract of lakefront land to developer Eric Farrell, have joined forces with people concerned that putting housing in the South End's Enterprise Zone will squeeze out artists and business owners.
Both groups came together to plan Wednesday's event, along with members of the neighborhood planning assemblies. Held at Contois Auditorium in Burlington City Hall, it was billed as a response to Mayor Weinberger's 18-point housing action plan.
Tags: Burlington , Miro Weinberger , South End , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
The controversy just keeps on keeping on when it comes to the fate of the former Burlington College land on North Avenue.
Developer Eric Farrell purchased the 27 acres of forests and meadows earlier this year. At a meeting Tuesday night about potential development, members of Save Open Space Burlington complained repeatedly that the session's format was designed to squelch democracy. They tried unsuccessfully to hijack the proceedings to hold an open-mic, public forum-style discussion.
Instead, the event, cosponsored by the city, started with a presentation. Then attendees broke up into smaller groups for discussions as planned, despite the vocal objections of several of the 100 or so people who gathered at the Sustainability Academy on North Street.
"It's a pretense of democracy," said Charles Simpson, a Save Open Space member.
Ruby Perry was also frustrated. "It's totally managed," she said. Breaking into small groups didn't allow people to hear each other and get "inspired to collective action," she said.
July Sanders agreed. The format seemed designed to prevent critics of development from building any momentum or rising up as a group, Sanders said. The city needs to preserve accessible green space that people can walk to, Sanders said, adding: "It's what makes Burlington a great place to live."
Developer Eric Farrell purchased the 27 acres of forests and meadows earlier this year. At a meeting Tuesday night about potential development, members of Save Open Space Burlington complained repeatedly that the session's format was designed to squelch democracy. They tried unsuccessfully to hijack the proceedings to hold an open-mic, public forum-style discussion.
Instead, the event, cosponsored by the city, started with a presentation. Then attendees broke up into smaller groups for discussions as planned, despite the vocal objections of several of the 100 or so people who gathered at the Sustainability Academy on North Street.
"It's a pretense of democracy," said Charles Simpson, a Save Open Space member.
Ruby Perry was also frustrated. "It's totally managed," she said. Breaking into small groups didn't allow people to hear each other and get "inspired to collective action," she said.
July Sanders agreed. The format seemed designed to prevent critics of development from building any momentum or rising up as a group, Sanders said. The city needs to preserve accessible green space that people can walk to, Sanders said, adding: "It's what makes Burlington a great place to live."
Tags: Burlington , development , save open space , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Is it time for Burlington to grow up? The skyline downtown could be about to change.
Two 14-story residential towers that would be the tallest buildings in Burlington are being proposed as part of the $200 million makeover of the Burlington Town Center mall. That was the news at a meeting about its proposed redevelopment Tuesday, although it was buried in the fine print of a handout at the session, which drew about 100 people.
City zoning would have to change for the towers to go up. Burlington is a low-rise city. Current height limits allow buildings of up to 105 feet, which usually translates to 10 or 11 stories tops, said David White, the city director of planning and zoning, during a break at the presentation.
The 14-story buildings would be built on the Cherry Street side of the project that could refashion the heart of Burlington's downtown. The mall renovation would create new street entrances for retailers on Bank and Cherry streets and a redesigned Church Street entrance to better blend in with surrounding historic buildings. The mall's interior would accommodate both large retailers and small boutiques.
The project calls for 320,000 square feet of new office space, several rooftop parks, a two-level underground parking garage with about 450 spaces and new pass-throughs for pedestrians on St. Paul and Pine streets.
Two 14-story residential towers that would be the tallest buildings in Burlington are being proposed as part of the $200 million makeover of the Burlington Town Center mall. That was the news at a meeting about its proposed redevelopment Tuesday, although it was buried in the fine print of a handout at the session, which drew about 100 people.
City zoning would have to change for the towers to go up. Burlington is a low-rise city. Current height limits allow buildings of up to 105 feet, which usually translates to 10 or 11 stories tops, said David White, the city director of planning and zoning, during a break at the presentation.
The 14-story buildings would be built on the Cherry Street side of the project that could refashion the heart of Burlington's downtown. The mall renovation would create new street entrances for retailers on Bank and Cherry streets and a redesigned Church Street entrance to better blend in with surrounding historic buildings. The mall's interior would accommodate both large retailers and small boutiques.
The project calls for 320,000 square feet of new office space, several rooftop parks, a two-level underground parking garage with about 450 spaces and new pass-throughs for pedestrians on St. Paul and Pine streets.
Tags: Burlington , Town , Center , development , retail , shopping , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
File: Matthew Thorsen
A condo project under construction on St. Paul Street last year
The mayor has said that addressing this issue is a top priority during his second term. His administration has been working on the plan — with input from city councilors and members of the public — for roughly a year. Earlier drafts proved controversial, providing campaign fodder for his opponents.
The plan calls for building housing for another 1,500 college students on campuses and downtown; considering more housing in the South End; and overhauling the zoning ordinance by adopting form-based code. It calls for making it easier for developers to build downtown by reducing permit fees and no longer requiring them to include a minimum number of parking spaces for each project.
Among other recommendations:
- Consider changes to the inclusionary zoning ordinance to reduce the costs of development. Created in 1990, the ordinance requires that at least 15 percent of new units in a project be reserved for lower-income households.
- Double the funding for the Housing Trust Fund, which supports permanent affordable housing.
- Encourage construction of small mother-in-law units as a housing option for elderly residents.
- Support a permanent cold-weather shelter that doesn't turn away homeless people who've been drinking or using drugs.
Tags: Burlington , Miro Weinberger , student housing , Image , Web Only
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Brothers Ed and Frank von Turkovich are hoping to build 79 apartments across the street from the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.
They haven't applied for a permit yet, but last month they submitted a proposal — referred to as a sketch plan— to the Development Review Board for preliminary feedback. The DRB will discuss it on April 21.
The von Turkovich brothers are planning to build a three-story building to house people who work nearby — at the hospital or at the university. Apartments would be studios or would have one or two bedrooms, according to Frank von Turkovich. Asked if they are hoping to attract students, he responded, "Definitely not."
The project includes parking both above and below ground level. It would occupy three acres between 80 and 94 Colchester Avenue, currently open space and parking lots. (The houses lining Colchester Avenue would remain.)
This likely won't come as news to the neighbors — the developers have been discussing the project with nearby residents for several years. "We’ve had extensive conversations with individual neighbors and the neighborhood groups, and we expect those discussions to continue," von Turkovich noted.
They haven't applied for a permit yet, but last month they submitted a proposal — referred to as a sketch plan— to the Development Review Board for preliminary feedback. The DRB will discuss it on April 21.
The von Turkovich brothers are planning to build a three-story building to house people who work nearby — at the hospital or at the university. Apartments would be studios or would have one or two bedrooms, according to Frank von Turkovich. Asked if they are hoping to attract students, he responded, "Definitely not."
The project includes parking both above and below ground level. It would occupy three acres between 80 and 94 Colchester Avenue, currently open space and parking lots. (The houses lining Colchester Avenue would remain.)
This likely won't come as news to the neighbors — the developers have been discussing the project with nearby residents for several years. "We’ve had extensive conversations with individual neighbors and the neighborhood groups, and we expect those discussions to continue," von Turkovich noted.
Tags: Development Review Board , University of Vermont Medical Center , von Turkovich , Image , Web Only
Monday, April 6, 2015
Burlington International Airport has a yoga studio, locally sourced food and plenty of maple syrup — along with all those planes. Now the place might get a hotel, too.
Director of aviation Gene Richards says he plans to issue a request soon for proposals on a 110-room hotel. The building would likely be constructed over the airport’s southern parking garage, adding two more stories to the three-deck garage.
The project has already attracted the attention of developers, who would lease the space and bear the costs of constructing and running the hotel. The doors wouldn’t open before 2018, Richards said. He declined to say which companies are interested or who might be leading the charge. “It’s just in the beginning stages," he said. "You don’t know 'til you know.”
The hotel would employ as much soundproofing in the walls and windows as possible, Richards said, to reduce the possibility that guests will be bothered by air traffic. That traffic includes the roar of the F-16 fighter jets now flying out of BTV, or the louder F-35s that are slated to come despite local protest about the new military planes.
Housing Crunch
Speaking of airport noise, the long-planned demolition of 94 empty houses surrounding the airport in South Burlington is set to begin April 15. The airport has been buying up the houses for years under a voluntary federal program designed to help neighbors escape airport noise.
Director of aviation Gene Richards says he plans to issue a request soon for proposals on a 110-room hotel. The building would likely be constructed over the airport’s southern parking garage, adding two more stories to the three-deck garage.
The project has already attracted the attention of developers, who would lease the space and bear the costs of constructing and running the hotel. The doors wouldn’t open before 2018, Richards said. He declined to say which companies are interested or who might be leading the charge. “It’s just in the beginning stages," he said. "You don’t know 'til you know.”
The hotel would employ as much soundproofing in the walls and windows as possible, Richards said, to reduce the possibility that guests will be bothered by air traffic. That traffic includes the roar of the F-16 fighter jets now flying out of BTV, or the louder F-35s that are slated to come despite local protest about the new military planes.
Housing Crunch
Speaking of airport noise, the long-planned demolition of 94 empty houses surrounding the airport in South Burlington is set to begin April 15. The airport has been buying up the houses for years under a voluntary federal program designed to help neighbors escape airport noise.
Tags: Burlington International Airport , home demolition. , Image , Web Only
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Mark Davis
Local Motion executive director Emily Boedecker stands outside Champlain Mill during a press conference announcing the installation of bike lockers in Winooski and Burlington.
Go! Chittenden County, a partnership of government and nonprofit groups, has installed BikeLink lockers outside Champlain Mill in Winooski and at the Burlington Town Center. Each locker, accessed by a keycard for registered users, has space for four bicycles. They cost five cents an hour to use.
Go! Chittenden County leaders say the lockers will strengthen the region's burgeoning demand for alternative transportation methods. The Burlington-Winooski area is the most densely populated part of Vermont, supporters said.
The locations are near Chittenden County Transportation Authority bus stops and in downtown locations where CarShare Vermont often has vehicles available for use. "Building roads is not going to be an option for walkable and really cool communities," Winooski city manager Katherine Decarreau said. "Hopefully, 'alternative transportation' will no longer have to bear that moniker 'alternative.'"
Tags: Burlington , Winooski , bicycle , transportation , Image , Web Only
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Two years ago, Champlain College began seeking permits to build a dorm in downtown Burlington. The Development Review Board turned the college down. Champlain appealed and came to a compromise, but by that time, two different groups of neighbors had filed suit.
Now, the last of those legal disputes has been settled, clearing the way for the 104-unit project known as Eagles Landing to move forward. The dorm would house 290 students off St. Paul Street, supplanting the vacant Eagles Club and a parking lot.
David Provost, Champlain's senior vice president for finance and administration, and Mayor Miro Weinberger — who's been a strong supporter of the project — celebrated the news at a press conference on campus Thursday. "I think this is a really good thing for the city," said Weinberger, who noted that it will generate roughly $400,000 in property tax revenue and will fill a need for student housing.
Neighbors raised concerns early in the process about the size of the building, its design and the impact it would have on parking.
Weinberger, who thanked Provost for his persistence, acknowledged that he had been unhappy with the delays. But both he and Provost said the process — though tortuous — ultimately resulted in a better building design. Joining them at the podium was Ron Wanamaker, a member of the nonprofit Preservation Burlington and one of those who pushed for a design that blended in with the neighborhood.
Now, the last of those legal disputes has been settled, clearing the way for the 104-unit project known as Eagles Landing to move forward. The dorm would house 290 students off St. Paul Street, supplanting the vacant Eagles Club and a parking lot.
David Provost, Champlain's senior vice president for finance and administration, and Mayor Miro Weinberger — who's been a strong supporter of the project — celebrated the news at a press conference on campus Thursday. "I think this is a really good thing for the city," said Weinberger, who noted that it will generate roughly $400,000 in property tax revenue and will fill a need for student housing.
Neighbors raised concerns early in the process about the size of the building, its design and the impact it would have on parking.
Weinberger, who thanked Provost for his persistence, acknowledged that he had been unhappy with the delays. But both he and Provost said the process — though tortuous — ultimately resulted in a better building design. Joining them at the podium was Ron Wanamaker, a member of the nonprofit Preservation Burlington and one of those who pushed for a design that blended in with the neighborhood.
Tags: Champlain College , Miro Weinberger , Burlington , Image , Web Only