[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6243305,"mediaKeyId","3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b","parentId",3240961,"title","Commission approves 'Maxine Way' as street name for Wright Farm subdivision","audioSeconds",958,"startMs",4760000,"endMs",5718000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b&start=4760&end=5718","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b/thumbnail_4760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6243305/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Commission-approves-Maxine-Way-as-street-name-for-Wright-Farm-subdivision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243305-66283a4bfb26b92834cfa5f4d581c278/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177750&Signature=OwfMRcIJxO9Lr7f0N~3ngPXlSkKdP10x755x9~dapNC49PcLRNewOAhwvVrhcopRPX1i92~i50EQp6Qciu28LEDEIz6egGBe981eX9aEBsrIjf3prmca7nHLrNvyk5DOKBitFMm5WF~QGAAtMQoM0DWxeiHHvDOhr0mcd714OQFQdgDqUoFgxdPliVzOQB45e7AEAn0uIzTHwIQGE-R-2HVMr1aPCTrVvHfBzLJuAzIat1ZFRl~ddU4sjvX-~6XUxzyzfnpHxD-xeYvaoW8PaD53IdX-9hbDSZToZ8WhD0LY4yRw9l9LxGmqEj~9Kha3wJDpV-us8p04XioIJ9-UaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Burlington City, VT","date","2025-05-08T17:27:32Z","article","The commission approved a proposed street name for a small subdivision on the east side of Hinesburg Road (860 Hinesburg Road): Maxine Way. Staff said the name had been checked against 9-1-1/dispatch databases and raised no conflicts; the applicant had originally proposed \"Maxines\" but staff recommended \"Maxine\" to avoid punctuation and pluralization issues.

Why it matters: The decision records an administrative determination used by 9‑1‑1/dispatch, postal services, and addressing databases. Staff noted the road will be private as approved by the DRB for the near term but may be extended and become public if future phases require it. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the name.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Burlington Planning Commission - 2/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved 'Maxine Way' as the name for a new private road in the Wright Farm subdivision off Hinesburg Road; the road is private for now and could be extended in future phases.","taxTitle","South Burlington City, Chittenden County, Vermont","taxId",2752,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243311,"Commission recommends council apply for municipal planning grant to study Southwest growth center",266,5284000,5550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b&start=5284&end=5550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b/thumbnail_5284000.jpg","/articles/6243311/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Commission-recommends-council-apply-for-municipal-planning-grant-to-study-Southwest-growth-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243311-69caf31df5e828c2cc3976d2614aea63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177750&Signature=IbNfEB7uP588Ix9r9Kj2oCRaPplew8LdF~SobpfTcBIhNmyHHl5Gbd75b9UjlwDIhQ~woZyd0rg-zqS9zBOsUbkk-qOEHxnJ~piUejurljEpBw18G6s2VorfbmUxF8geJ9cxjo6B2Kbpxfk1In6~jhHtLhfd8Q7DO8FaBTFyU8UQ3q57o789-99Retsdu2KKgtZIPysE84NTY1~bHISw5wUcc3v058ARnWJI~A2psj5XdVLPxmwe4FU~jAVXYg6akMrqLk20754YXpyweofsMm88pGCnKi~YhNamEV~cHhEi2lHvQF4t2scB1grLa3P5oo19LI7p0cZDrkAzLR9hpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council apply for a state municipal planning grant to fund a visioning and planning process for a proposed strategic growth center in South Burlington’s Southwest area.

Why it matters: The grant would fund planning work to establish a center of strategic growth—an activity center identified by staff and commissioners—that could guide future public investments, zoning refinements, and targeted development incentives.

The motion to recommend council approval was made and seconded; commissioners present voted in favor, and staff said the next step is to forward the recommendation to council so it may submit the grant application. Staff noted the project would align with council-identified priorities and that the grant timeline matches upcoming municipal planning cycles.","The commission voted to recommend that City Council approve an application for a municipal planning grant to fund a visioning process for a strategic growth center in the city's Southwest area.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243316,"Council ratifies settlement for former Pizza Hut corner; inclusionary units reduced and demolition set by May 1",269,61000,330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b&start=61&end=330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6243316/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-ratifies-settlement-for-former-Pizza-Hut-corner-inclusionary-units-reduced-and-demolition-set-by-May-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243316-43c35ef580c733b660e64c1fb14a97e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177750&Signature=IdQln5j32Lcjkig2hWil~i4~aCSgRzDLB4B-1fxyxpAFxSt6BbbAPd6SUJJC9Wjhtwx0gCHz5etzrGbW2MpXPEsGOlh0GKV6jugPcPBVVTJ3okKiK6isUsIN7d~kBgC49YtCyx1iAwxPO-moa5j9KWDpzjoFA1BvjCd7xByh25HFURm5zGzUvb8MJC8FxYiJYkR5WzoOGNpUSWQ6G0pbY5ILfukcVINCH14p-zbrOKm-sND84j5oYGP45k6d-nE~pSuh91CYi3D42bob9nM3jAPv6ycMUJE0c3k5zIlWRezw63itpbXzLDUniTH2oxU01IESWwRXYtbR-a5R6OSitg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff reported that the City Council approved a stipulated-judgment order to resolve outstanding litigation connected to redevelopment of a former Pizza Hut site, adjusting required inclusionary housing numbers to align with the city’s 2024 land development regulations.

Why it matters: The approval ends a multi-year review that included Development Review Board (DRB) denials, an appeal to the environmental court, and subsequent appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court. The council’s action lets an applicant move forward with a DRB‑approved site design after adjusting inclusionary-unit counts to the new 2024 rules.

Staff described the proposal as a three-structure redevelopment: a bank building at the corner of the former gas station, a mixed-use building with commercial on the first floor and 2–3 apartments above, and a three-story residential building behind with approximately 27–28 homes and underground parking. Staff told the commission the council decided not to send the applicant back through a repeat review for the now‑corrected inclusionary calculation, and instead accepted a stipulated judgment that closes outstanding court matters. Staff said the council also required the project to meet new EV‑ready parking standards and that the applicant agreed to demolish the existing buildings by May 1.

The council’s action also resolved an earlier DRB finding that a drive-through was not permitted; the applicant’s revised DRB application removed the drive-through. Staff said the final inclusionary count for one building in the approved configuration will be 6 of 30 units to align with the 2024 land‑development regulations; staff characterized the council vote as unanimous. The commission discussed the update but did not take any formal action on the redevelopment at this meeting.","The commission heard staff report that city council approved a stipulated judgment resolving litigation over a former Pizza Hut redevelopment; the approved terms adjusted the required inclusionary units to match 2024 regulations, required EV-ready parking, and set a May 1 demolition deadline.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243321,"Commission approves project charge to clarify how building height is measured, adds study of maximum heights",750,4450000,5200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b&start=4450&end=5200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b/thumbnail_4450000.jpg","/articles/6243321/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Commission-approves-project-charge-to-clarify-how-building-height-is-measured-adds-study-of-maximum-heights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243321-e9ff05794a61ab69e15476eb8678753a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177750&Signature=jb4L5xuidTkHce8lFTH4hDLMtq88IGJ2zf6JR20L8DszKKX8-wwbHSrDqWXdIT3yUBImsUdGXyOUJJe4IXCKvqK3euUb8xZKw8-sKixRQtCyqxaiaadcKXLSTw8grmr5PPtw5pwtniajSZXV~Gn6484YOA31NN2FZxs8TSHQ6vj7~LJkrQIAxxPDCPg5YPxQJ7jI21YrMXMcA0Jc9VwRrpZYML204GDnAyv~5YalKeZwzq7sqr0wJptgK-rBE9Qt1EbSDwyAexWCn4SDi0z6Y7zxz28NI-yIeuesrXW9Zc1Lfgn6-O1hBT0KoQ~nCT9Mh4S6SDRTtl~11wQEuGyN1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Burlington Planning Commission voted to approve a project charge directing staff to study how building height is calculated across the city and to recommend clear measurement standards. Commissioners amended the charge to add an assessment of appropriate maximum building heights in selected areas.

Why it matters: Ambiguities about how height is measured—preconstruction grade versus adjacent street elevation, pitched versus flat roofs, and how stepped or pitched roof elements count—have produced inconsistent outcomes in permitting and DRB reviews. Clarifying measurement standards will reduce administrative inconsistency and developer uncertainty.

Staff told the commission the charge responds to case history where applicants used roof forms or grade manipulation to claim compliance, and to neighborhood examples where changes in grading and street layouts complicated height calculations. Staff said the draft charge will examine the city’s existing approach (the Market Street area uses adjacent street elevation rather than preconstruction grade), roof-pitch rules, and whether a simpler universal measuring approach should be adopted. Commissioners asked staff to pursue a simple and administrable approach and to analyze whether adding one more story in targeted areas would be appropriate to meet housing and density goals. The commission approved the charge with the requested amendment; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with all members present voting in favor.","The commission approved a project charge directing staff to study calculation standards for building height citywide; members amended the charge to include evaluating whether some areas should allow higher maximum heights.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243326,"Planning commission reviews form-based code revisions to expand design flexibility in downtown",4010,410000,4420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b&start=410&end=4420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3240961-0077a7417d431b0aead5df029020366b/thumbnail_410000.jpg","/articles/6243326/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Planning-commission-reviews-form-based-code-revisions-to-expand-design-flexibility-in-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243326-f31b1a5c40d10aafc5e20f6d9617768b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177750&Signature=F9A2NfbYy11qsz4SNEOQWtrCTKSIWJve1XUvuNviwwd6iWIOJ-0J9jlcxWUe3SpxSXeYQ8uGChzC-XbZ7G94q5r3OssPYvvxLYxpUa19JmRjI1FcPOJ9Et4EDILMo7rfYGI53Ne~lbFFdmG7uqjtGPgh1SXaRt3uk0SbAvz3nbuhLOeBBS2hCCPyM7j4M8Tadk~T4fewvobPVca4zU9bEnRHnJO0D7QBR8wYzuvL3bzfcD5nSKBzQbmzQd3ckDD2u0UhXb9oZnUtwxZsLun4rSBVv1ziag-ud41Y9xwId-bSRoRh6fZBG3h10~UgFWXPQrHsWhQ0u1J11a-rGXM5cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Burlington Planning Commission members and staff discussed proposed revisions to the city's form-based code at a regular meeting (date not specified), examining a package of topic-level changes staff says are intended to allow more design variety while preserving a walkable downtown.

The draft revisions are intended to open the “design box” for architects and developers, staff said, by clarifying overlapping regulations and removing requirements that staff and some applicants have found constraining. Planning staff told the commission the draft focuses on five motivations for change (listed in the memorandum supplied to commissioners) and that most of the substantive language had been circulated to commissioners earlier the same day.

Why it matters: The form-based code sets how buildings align with streets, where ground-floor commercial is required, and frontage/height standards in the Market Street–Dorset Street area. Changes to that code will affect what can be built, how developments can be phased, and how the city pursues a denser, more pedestrian-focused core.

Key details discussed included an elective master-plan pathway (staff proposed a 2-acre threshold matching other city rules) that property owners could use to vest future development rights and provide predictability for phased projects; a new “pedestrian street” street-type that developers could build as a cross-lot, walkable space (staff said current draft requires a pedestrian street to connect at both ends but noted flexibility could be introduced for exceptions); and revised rules on building “breaks” and façade variety (the code currently requires three building breaks every 80 feet but exempts buildings under 60 feet, and the draft would allow high-quality brick façades to count for longer uninterrupted frontage).

Commissioners debated how to balance private vs. public realms for plazas and courtyards. One commissioner raised concerns that privately owned but publicly accessible courtyards can be effectively private by enforcement of rules or owner preferences; staff said the draft does not yet resolve ownership questions and that they recommend a rule that a place designed as a public right-of-way should be public. Staff also proposed that balconies be eligible for partial credit in site-amenity calculations (current draft: 50% of balcony area counts toward amenity requirements) and suggested balconies could count toward satisfying building-break requirements to encourage their use as an architectural device.

Ground-floor commercial and door-spacing requirements drew sustained discussion. Staff described changes to door-spacing obligations to reduce frequency while still encouraging active storefronts. The draft contemplates allowing some doors to be “operable but locked” (i.e., having the physical door in place but not required to be kept open to the public) so larger retail tenants are not forced into multiple active entrances while future tenant reconfiguration is still enabled.

Building heights and the T‑4/T‑5 transect distinctions were discussed at a conceptual level; commissioners and staff agreed height specifics remain an open, “yellow‑flagged” item for later meetings and that façade and frontage rules could differ across transects to protect neighborhood transitions. Staff said the aim is to permit higher building massing farther from pedestrian cores while keeping active, consumer-facing commercial on key corridors (Market Street and parts of Dorset Street).

Several commissioners pushed staff to preserve or expand incentives for stormwater‑reducing measures and green roofs. Staff said the city’s stormwater standards are outcome‑based and that follow-up will examine whether green roofs should count differently under stormwater fee or impervious-surface calculations; staff committed to presenting that interface to the stormwater/regulatory teams.

Commissioners generally supported the direction of the memo-level changes but asked staff to return with clarified draft language on high‑quality materials, privacy/sill-height options for ground-floor residential, explicit public-ownership triggers for pedestrian rights-of-way, and concrete height recommendations at the next meetings.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the draft code language; staff will revise the draft language and return with more detailed recommendations on heights, material definitions, and the street hierarchy map.","The South Burlington Planning Commission discussed proposed updates to the city's form-based code, including optional master planning, new pedestrian-street options, incentives for balconies and building variety, privacy rules for ground-floor residential, and follow-ups on stormwater and green-roof incentives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves 'Maxine Way' as street name for Wright Farm subdivision

Commission recommends council apply for municipal planning grant to study Southwest growth center

Council ratifies settlement for former Pizza Hut corner; inclusionary units reduced and demolition set by May 1

Commission approves project charge to clarify how building height is measured, adds study of maximum heights

Planning commission reviews form-based code revisions to expand design flexibility in downtown