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Planning candidate from Winooski backs 100-foot wetland buffer, draws public praise
Summary
Ravi Venkat Raman, who identified himself as a city planning director and planning-commission candidate, told the council he supports South Burlington's expanded 100-foot wetland buffer and emphasized balancing growth with natural-resource protection.
Ravi Venkat Raman (speaker 17), who said he directs planning for his home city and teaches sustainable urban planning, told the council he would defend strong wetland protections if appointed to South Burlington's planning commission. "I would continue to support that 100 foot buffer too," he said while answering council questions about wetlands and tree canopy.
Raman described tree-canopy goals and described tradeoffs in dense urban areas where narrow front yards make large street trees difficult. A public commenter later called Raman "the most qualified candidate" they had seen in five years of attending meetings; the council moved to executive session afterward to finalize appointments. Raman emphasized maintaining wetland integrity as a long-term protection measure rather than a one-time limit.
