[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6251369,"mediaKeyId","3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da","parentId",3195765,"title","Council asks regional planners to seek Act 250 Tier 1B status for South Burlington growth areas","audioSeconds",4903,"startMs",8094000,"endMs",12997000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da&start=8094&end=12997","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da/thumbnail_8094000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6251369/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-asks-regional-planners-to-seek-Act-250-Tier-1B-status-for-South-Burlington-growth-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251369-a7a0db4d94bc502dc31a32cdd069f6a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395855&Signature=WDPVEfG6YnexY6uZcvIuvQPfcyBkXI9CotLkIkVkckv~U2f7QZT9xAyI9h~Tnxd6YoZeXTh2RZLgI4q2wt1Ni-PSdsKaplCo5dzQPIBfGgJ78gj8qR7lB2thLvTQd6Dgu~K0WNlp5ca6FbDzv~GiMXW6ilPHeCRRfAzR0vmVG91nVOMXYSl0JOyb~RsfhNESsOQiNGmLT5DIkTYKIxKnTrI3vWnFqTdFsBTirg4gZYzLA4VZK0qjNRVpCYZjF-AFVVOP732jHVhWmI~JGMtc2bU7XBVZRrQCvUY3kWWlfQLSQ-6Dhz2M~8dmz7gEWT8Yg4WxLpHrkaW8mf682haqHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Burlington City, VT","date","2025-05-06T08:26:02.383Z","article","The South Burlington City Council on May 5 unanimously voted to ask the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) to include the city’s eligible downtown, village and planned‑growth areas in the regional future land‑use map and to request Act 250 Tier 1B status for those areas.

Councilors heard a detailed staff briefing on the new state process under Act 181 and Act 47. Planning staff and CCRPC representatives said the state now requires regional future‑land‑use maps using a standard 11‑category legend; areas mapped as downtowns, village centers and planned growth areas become eligible for Act 250 Tier 1B treatment when the region submits the map to the state Land Use Review Board.

Paul (city planning staff) told council the map proposed by the regional planning commission aligns closely with South Burlington’s city plan and the city’s sewer service area. Paul identified the city center and three proposed village centers — including a Shelburne Road center around Fayette Road and an area near Kendall, Kennedy and Kimball avenues — as eligible for Tier 1B under the draft map.

\"Tier 1B would allow new projects that are less than 10 acres and 50 homes or fewer to avoid the Act 250 process in those designated growth areas,\" Paul said. He and CCRPC staff said the interim exemptions that have applied statewide would effectively continue in mapped centers if the region and state board approve the map.

Charlie Baker, executive director of the CCRPC, and Taylor Newton, CCRPC planning program manager, briefed the council on the regional methodology and the statewide housing targets that flow from the state housing needs analysis. Baker said the region’s recommended allocation directs a larger share of new housing to the four most urban municipalities (Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski and Essex Junction); staff recommended a 60 percent share of the regional housing target for those four cities combined to concentrate growth where infrastructure and transit exist.

Councilors pressed staff on several points. Councilor Laurie Simanski said she supports regional coordination but asked that the city thoroughly model the local impacts before adopting targets. \"It feels to me like we're short‑circuiting it and not understanding exactly what it means for our city and our residents,\" she said, urging scenario analyses on school capacity, traffic and water and sewer needs before committing to firm numbers.

Paul noted a correction to the presentation’s slides: South Burlington’s historical growth rate was reported as 142 units per year on the draft map, but staff said the city has been averaging roughly 175 units per year in recent years. Staff emphasized the housing targets are goals rather than punitive quotas; the targets are intended to guide where state and regional investments should be focused.

Councilor Mike asked about resources and the fiscal picture for expanded growth; CCRPC and airport staff earlier in the meeting had described federal funding flows for capital projects and staff said the housing‑target work was intended to focus limited public investment in places most able to absorb growth.

After discussion the council unanimously approved a resolution requesting that the CCRPC submit the draft regional future‑land‑use map with South Burlington’s eligible centers and planned growth areas for Tier 1B consideration by the state Land Use Review Board. CCRPC staff said it plans to pursue regional submission and seek state approval in the summer of 2026, and councilors and staff agreed to continue local work refining zoning, rare species and cultural‑resource protections, and other standards that would be required if the city later seeks Tier 1A status.

The Tier 1B step preserves for mapped centers an exemption from full Act 250 review for smaller development projects (thresholds established in state law are typically projects under 10 acres and 50 or fewer homes). The council and staff framed the decision as a way to protect municipal control over local permitting while positioning the city to receive state and regional investment support for infrastructure and housing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Burlington City Council - 5/5/2025","oneSentenceSummary","South Burlington City Council voted May 5 to ask the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission to include the city’s eligible centers and planned‑growth areas in the regional future‑land‑use map and to seek Act 250 Tier 1B status for those areas.","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},6251373,"BTV officials outline terminal expansion, noise‑mitigation and sustainability steps as passenger traffic climbs",3597,2679000,6276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da&start=2679&end=6276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da/thumbnail_2679000.jpg","/articles/6251373/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/BTV-officials-outline-terminal-expansion-noisemitigation-and-sustainability-steps-as-passenger-traffic-climbs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251373-2fa5a9eaccfa326b6baeb0847f65f7ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395855&Signature=me2isVmBGA-gD0REJVWNg07DF5TzRyNtAlC7hYa5AnH3Fx9mpp1--LY0gBNesNXN0jXSI7MCTEABvy9PzGtWypdDDVc59mNvqj4lizy7rHSKRB17wfcsZo5tD4yPVDN~WddJO7iIQOFNGQj30hfUxra8vzDUM26UWALgSyWRJuQ8rnF5b-~XV982~QiPiCfsKe3G8GCfAl9WGXnnH3MLAizPTODRxBB-1AQ-DMPHU28sV-PKjHYT3SaYiX9JnP-rUDSwTFDqoKrr6PNDNm71IXqWXV5hXzIyonG9dCZQCLAM8VnNu5HYH51Bd2xAaFDVZDiHeHsf7UUwToesTVVQJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nick Longo, director of Burlington International Airport, told the South Burlington City Council on May 5 that the airport expects record commercial capacity in 2025 and outlined a multi‑year program of capital work, noise mitigation and sustainability steps tied to that growth.

\"We are projecting to see over 1,400,000 passengers this year,\" Longo said. He described Project NEXT, a terminal expansion that will demolish an older annex and add two new concourse areas sized to accommodate larger aircraft and future modes of flight. The new building will use mass timber and geothermal heating and include a pre‑security rooftop garden open to the public.

Longo said the airport is managing about $140 million in capital projects through federal and local funding over the next several years. He listed the Federal Aviation Administration as the primary grant source and described passenger facility charges and entitlements as regular revenue streams: passenger facility charges are $4.50 per outbound ticket, Longo said, of which the airport retains $4.39 and airlines keep 11 cents; airport entitlement grants are roughly $3.8 million in typical years.

Longo and airport staff presented noise‑mitigation updates. The airport’s residential sound‑insulation program has 68 homes under contract this year for window, door and HVAC upgrades, a large increase from a pilot of 15 homes. The airport said a recent FAA change now requires pre‑ and post‑installation acoustical testing for every participating home, which raises costs and lengthens schedules.

Larry Lackey, the airport’s planning, engineering and sustainability director, described the airport’s carbon accounting work and its Airport Carbon Accreditation. He said the airport completed a baseline greenhouse‑gas inventory covering ground operations, tenant emissions and aircraft operations down to 3,000 feet of arrival and departure, which earned a Level 1 accreditation from Airports Council International. The airport said it is moving to actively reduce emissions through electrifying field vehicles, installing more chargers and encouraging airlines and operators to use shore power (jet‑bridge power) to avoid aircraft auxiliary power units.

Longo also said Burlington now has sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deliveries available at the field but that supply is limited; SAF currently sells at a premium because production is constrained nationwide, he said.

On air service, Longo said the airport has six airlines and 19 destinations (some seasonal) and that scheduled seat capacity for fall 2025 is higher than any previous year. He said average seats per flight have risen from roughly 70 in 2008 to about 92 now, which helps the airport move more passengers with fewer flights.

Councilors asked about parking, public transit and ground transportation. The airport reported peak parking occupancy around 84 percent and said demand spikes during certain holiday weeks. The airport also tracks taxi, TNC (ride‑hail) and car‑rental activity; it reported year‑over‑year increases in TNC trips and said it is working with local partners and car‑rental companies on electric vehicle opportunities.

The airport emphasized its economic role: a prior regional study (using 2017–18 data) valued airport‑related economic activity at more than $1 billion and more than 5,000 jobs; Longo said the airport is updating that economic impact work to reflect recent growth and new tenants such as Beta Technologies and Pratt & Whitney Canada.

The presentation drew questions but no council action. Longo said the airport will continue design and permitting on Project NEXT and will coordinate community engagement and environmental review as projects proceed.","Burlington International Airport leaders briefed South Burlington City Council May 5 on Project NEXT (a terminal expansion), noise‑compatibility programs, carbon accounting and aviation sustainability efforts, and said passenger seats and airline service are expanding this year.",{"_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},6251378,"Council extends hot‑water exemption for larger commercial and multifamily projects; schedules June 2 public hearing",880,3171000,4051000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da&start=3171&end=4051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195765-20f50b823424adeb30b6fe1f74fee4da/thumbnail_3171000.jpg","/articles/6251378/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-extends-hotwater-exemption-for-larger-commercial-and-multifamily-projects-schedules-June-2-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6251378-4101e0efc74ba789102b0e438c503dee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770395855&Signature=gZiHJrxyliVHcjk7ub0HS3thNkw39cv~3ttZgkQCKOC9kpTdkd~dxVlIQ9jjVdGpmYbbefqNikLKMnBVXrUBfA05X6RFgyZ-NDSbkRqWBBHfklm33Rs0-pIsOQBxQq0IhJJQFcEfNRJ98twsKQ4rIeTbifg2hVrnRrCtau-E9XfRgUf4Mtwp344Z2rZw1kUZU0YfiA5mRiQ6tAhXZowtiDv5WYXQlPOBp9K1xnsu1K~p2WoJIGLC5PNkp3deiGehXooFHtqorMPHJFtb2u-B62ESpkgQkSd3wT4yU7AAdL9qh0QCuxtkCx-Pntse3Rs6650vD-KA9oeShLjTIgOR3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Burlington City Council voted unanimously May 5 to approve an ordinance at first reading that extends, for two years, a temporary exemption from a 2022 local rule requiring renewable service‑water heating systems in certain building types and set a public hearing and second reading for June 2 at 7 p.m.

Climate Action Manager Bettina Miggues summarized the staff recommendation and timeline, saying, “Our recommendations are to extend the exemption for two years for multi unit residential buildings, mixed use buildings and commercial buildings that are heavy water users.” The extension would apply to buildings whose service systems are sized so they use a 1‑inch (or larger) water‑meter connection, a threshold staff used to define large water users.

The 2022 ordinance requires that new buildings install renewable primary heating systems that cover 85 percent of heating load and renewable service‑water heating systems, but it included a temporary exemption for hot‑water systems in commercial, mixed‑use and multiunit residential construction that ran through Feb. 15, 2025. The council asked staff to compare local rules to New York City’s work on building electrification; Miggues told the council New York City’s Local Law 154 phases in fossil‑fuel prohibitions and delays certain service‑water restrictions until mid‑2027.

Migues explained options for developers who do not install renewable hot‑water systems. Projects may apply for a waiver on economic‑hardship grounds by demonstrating total cost differences (capital plus operating, accounting for the ordinance’s carbon cost factor). She said the city also proposed funding a study on available large‑scale hot‑water technologies during the two‑year extension so the city can make an informed decision when the exemption next comes up.

During public comment, resident Jerry Silverstein urged caution about claims connecting local electrification to immediate greenhouse‑gas reductions because New England’s grid remains tied to ISO New England. “When I turn on a light in my house, the electrons that energize the bulb … reflect the energy composition of ISO New England,” he said, adding that the grid in winter months has significant natural‑gas generation.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about definitions and the waiver formula. Councilor Andrew asked whether the original ordinance was “predicated on the New York City law.” Miggues replied, “Not that I’m aware of. No,” and said New York City was one example staff looked at at council request. Councilor Mike and Councilor Laurie Simanski expressed support for the two‑year study approach and for giving staff time to assemble technical guidance for larger projects.

The council’s vote at first reading set a public hearing and a second reading for June 2 at 7 p.m. City staff said the two‑year extension would align the city’s timeline for service‑water changes with other jurisdictions and allow a new report on technologies and costs to inform any later rulemaking.

If the council adopts the extension after the public hearing, the exemption would continue in effect while staff studies large‑scale hot‑water technologies and refines local definitions and waiver procedures.","The South Burlington City Council approved first reading on an ordinance update May 5 to extend a temporary exemption that delays a requirement for renewable service‑water heating systems in larger commercial, mixed‑use and multiunit residential buildings. The council set a public hearing for June 2 at 7 p.m.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks regional planners to seek Act 250 Tier 1B status for South Burlington growth areas

BTV officials outline terminal expansion, noise‑mitigation and sustainability steps as passenger traffic climbs

Council extends hot‑water exemption for larger commercial and multifamily projects; schedules June 2 public hearing