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Neighbors press DRB to preserve cedar hedges rather than a parklet at Bartlett Bay project
Summary
Neighbors urged the South Burlington DRB to retain mature cedar hedges and replace a proposed parklet with a wooded area or rain garden to preserve visual screening; the applicant said the parklet helps meet a $60,000 landscaping requirement and moving the driveway and multiuse path necessitated cedar removal.
Residents and neighbors told the Development Review Board they prefer retention of mature cedar hedges or larger evergreen plantings instead of the proposed pocket park at the Bartlett Bay wastewater treatment facility.
Catherine Daniels, who lives at 1 South Beach Road, said she supports necessary upgrades to the plant but urged denser screening and wrote that the revised landscaping packet proposing 19 eastern white pines should be implemented at greater than 6 feet at planting. Staff read a written comment from Leila Bridal that stated, "I oppose the cedars being cut down," and asked the board to consider alternatives such as a wooded area or rain garden to mitigate visual and stormwater impacts.
The applicant and staff explained the parklet was proposed as a method to meet the city's $60,000 landscaping requirement; they also said that realignment of the driveway and the location of a multiuse path required removal of some cedars and that replanting and additional screening (19 eastern white pines) had been added since the last hearing. Board members discussed whether it is feasible to replace the pocket park with rain gardens or a wooded area within the available landscaping budget and whether the board has authority to modify landscaping monetary requirements.
Chair Dawn Filibert closed the public comment portion after hearing from residents and staff and asked the applicant to consider available alternatives and respond in updated plan materials.
