Residents Ask City for Vacant Lot, Warning Before Enforcement After Police Removed Basketball Goal

Several residents used the public‑comment portion of the Aug. 19 Burlington City Council meeting to raise neighborhood concerns and offer to partner with the city.

Pastor Terry Young asked the council to consider donating a small, city‑owned vacant lot adjacent to property his church is in the process of purchasing. Young, pastor of a congregation established in 1935, said the lot is too small for a house but could be combined with purchased property to create a playground and off‑street parking. City leaders said the city attorney, David Huffman, would reach out to explain the legal process for conveying city property and examine available options.

Resident Zoe Bigelow recounted an incident in which two police officers removed a curbside basketball goal from her home. She said neither her family nor neighbors understood the ordinance and asked council to require a warning before enforcement actions that could escalate encounters with armed officers. "I would like city council to add a warning to the rule before cops with guns show up to remove kids' toys," she said. The transcript records her asking the council to consider warnings; there was no immediate policy response recorded at the meeting.

Steve Matthews, a Burlington resident and board member of the Burlington Community Land Trust, thanked the council for commissioning a housing study, noted the trust is listed as a stakeholder in the study, and requested participation in future planning and funding for permanently affordable housing.

A Small Business Administration representative also used the public forum to describe economic injury disaster loans available after the July storm, including loan terms and an application deadline in April 2026; he offered to follow up with staff to share outreach materials.

City staff agreed to follow up with Pastor Young through the city attorney’s office; no immediate policy changes were made during the meeting.