South Burlington council approves easements for Dorset Street shared‑use path after neighbors press for review

South Burlington City Council on Jan. 6 accepted permanent and temporary easements needed to build a shared‑use path along Dorset Street between Old Cross Road and Sadie Lane, after residents urged the council to pause and re‑examine the route and safety features.

Neighbors said the portion of right of way remaining along Dorset Street is narrow — they were told 12 to 13 feet remains — and that the proposed 10‑foot path would leave too small a buffer between people walking or biking and moving traffic. Laura Demeroni of 1520 Dorset Street and Brock Lyman told the council they want a new speed study, a traffic study of vehicles turning into Cider Mill Drive, and reconsideration of a west‑side routing option that would avoid the development’s turn lane.

The council heard those public comments during the general public comment period and then discussed the matter later in the meeting when the consent agenda came up. Council members who said they had met with residents or reviewed materials asked that the item be discussed in more detail at a future meeting and suggested an opportunity for a subset of councilors or staff to review route maps and plans with Public Works.

Tom DiPietro, the city’s public works director, told the council engineering work and an earlier scoping study informed the current plan; he said easements are being sought now so the city can keep the project on schedule for anticipated paving and related work. DiPietro added that the consultant’s lighting analysis, pavement and crosswalk recommendations and bid prices are available in the packet from earlier meetings.

Despite the concern from neighbors and requests for more review, the council voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda item that accepted easements the city needs to advance design and permit work. Councilors also confirmed the item will return for fuller discussion at the Feb. 3 council meeting; public works staff and consultants will be available then to answer detailed questions.

The council emphasized it wants to give residents a chance to review plans and urged staff to bring maps and supporting materials back at the February discussion. The city manager said staff will schedule public works staff and consultants for the Feb. 3 meeting and that the easement acceptance does not foreclose additional changes to the final design.

The vote clears a legal step — the city accepted a combination of permanent and temporary easements conveyed by warranty deed dated April 17, 2024 — while councilors signaled they want more local review of route alternatives, drainage, driveway impacts and pedestrian separation before construction.