South Burlington officials review City Center TIF finances, street and pedestrian plan updates

City Manager Jesse Baker and Community Development Director Alana Blanchard told the South Burlington Planning Commission on a discussion that centered on the City Center Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district’s remaining projects, financial modeling and possible changes to the form‑based code to encourage more predictable, walkable development.

The briefing explained why the TIF matters to the city’s finances and growth: staff reported the district has financed more than $70,000,000 in new grand‑list value and new housing and commercial space since it was created, and that the city is currently collecting about $1,140,000 in annual TIF increment to pay debt service. Baker said the city has now incurred its last debt issuances for TIF projects and that the district will continue to collect revenue through 2037, with debt expected to be retired around 2038.

Why it matters: the commission is preparing amendments to the form‑based code that shape where and how the private sector builds. Staff warned that without continued development beyond projects already in the pipeline the model shows a potential shortfall of roughly $2,900,000 by the end of the collection period; with moderate additional housing production the district would produce surpluses that return new money to the city’s general fund earlier than otherwise.

Baker framed the City Center work as responding to multiple local and statewide priorities: “As the state faces these parallel challenges of a…