Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Whippsmill topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bellemeade authorizes traffic study, readies opposition to Whippsmill Road zoning change
Summary
City attorneys will hire Michael Baker Traffic Engineers for a $3,300 traffic analysis to support Bellemeade's opposition to a proposed Whippsmill Road zoning change; the commission voted unanimously to contract the firm and seek cost-sharing from neighboring communities. A construction-standards ordinance and the 2025 tax ordinance received first readings.
Bellemeade City Attorney Stephen Porter told the commission that Karen Mohammadi of Michael Baker Traffic Engineers can provide traffic research, formally present findings to the zoning board and testify as an expert on elements of the project's impact, and that her fee would be $3,300. The commission unanimously authorized Porter to contract with Michael Baker and to appeal to surrounding communities for assistance with the cost; the motion specifies Bellemeade would bear the full cost if none is offered.
Porter said the public hearing on the zoning change for Whippsmill Road will likely not be scheduled earlier than October because of difficulty securing a quorum of zoning committee members and suitable space; he said the meeting is expected to be held at Founder's Union at 6 p.m. Porter advised commissioners that they may not contact individual members of the planning committee or Lyndon City Council about the matter and that any letters or emails should be addressed to the council as a whole or to the full zoning committee.
Porter and Mayor James Martin said they will meet with representatives from surrounding communities to coordinate a presentation to the zoning board opposing the proposed change. Commissioner Sandy Walker expressed concern that proposed construction restrictions in an ordinance presented for first reading could be excessive and that construction traffic associated with the development might use Bellemeade roads; the commission carried the ordinance to first reading after a unanimous vote.
The contract-authorizing motion and the ordinance-first-reading motion passed unanimously. The commission recorded no public comments at the meeting on Aug. 11.
Next steps: Porter will execute the Michael Baker contract as authorized, pursue potential cost-sharing with neighboring jurisdictions, and coordinate a consolidated presentation for the zoning board once a hearing date and venue are finalized (not expected before October).
