DRB delays Green Mountain Habitat subdivision over road-extension terms

The South Burlington Development Review Board on a continued hearing Monday discussed whether Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity and the landowner must construct a public-standard road to the property line or may defer finishing the last ~150 feet until a future developer pays for the extension.

Brian Currier, the project engineer for Larry Birxill Associates, told the board the roadway has been redesigned to city standards for width and utilities but with a single 2.5‑inch asphalt lift instead of the usual two lifts: "So it's 26 foot wide." He and the landowner argued that topping the pavement later is a reasonable way to avoid building unnecessary infrastructure before additional development occurs.

Staff pointed to the Land Development Regulations (LDR) language that requires an applicant to "construct or contribute to the cost" but noted the code does not specify timing. Board members discussed conditioning approval on either immediate construction to the property line or a financial contribution triggered by a future sale or by development of the retained parcels. The landowner, Tom Bellivance of the Northeast Agricultural Trust, said he currently has "no intention of...developing Lot 4," and emphasized the subdivision's goal is to make Habitat homes affordable.

Given new materials submitted the day of the meeting and outstanding legal questions about enforceability of a sale-trigger, the board voted to continue SD 2601 to the June 2 hearing so staff and the city attorney can draft clear, enforceable conditions. The motion to continue carried.