At its only August meeting the Burlington City Council will debate a resolution concerning the future of the Moran Plant on the city’s waterfront. The council will also consider changes to minimum housing enforcement, the new plan for downtown and waterfront redevelopment known as planBTV, and funding for the bike path at the Monday, Aug. 13, meeting.
The Moran Plant resolution, developed by the council’s three Progressive members and independent Sharon Bushor, says that any future development plans for the site or building should engage the public during each step of the process; that tenants should mainly provide services that are accessible and affordable to a range of socio-economic levels; that some free and accessible space for the public should be guaranteed when the building is open; and that instead of selling the property, the city should retain full or majority ownership.
The resolution instructs Mayor Miro Weinberger and the Community and Economic Development Office to present the council with a status report on finances, along with a timeline, before Sept. 30. It also asks city officials to explain how the plan will meet public trust doctrine requirements. Under the proposal, the mayor must provide a progress report in December.
In addition, the resolution requires that potential partners, developers and tenants provide public presentations of their plans with specific information on how services will be made accessible and affordable. If the resolution is approved, the Urban Reserve area (located north of the Moran Plant) would be redeveloped in a separate process with its own timeline.
An amendment changing minimum housing enforcement standards will also be considered. The proposal would increase penalties and fines for failure by occupants and owners to keep units and their surroundings clean and sanitary.
David White, director of Planning and Zoning, will give a brief presentation on Plan BTV, followed by reports from the Airport Commission, the Church Street Marketplace and the Burlington Conservation Board.
Other proposed resolutions under consideration focus on the Highgate transmission interconnection project and funding mechanisms to implement Bike Path Task Force recommendations. Retiring City Attorney Ken Schatz will be honored for his service to the city.
As usual, the public forum period will begin at 7:30. After the council’s main business is completed the group plans to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining. It will reconvene afterward for public committee reports and comments from councilors and the mayor.
Resolutions and material on other agenda items can be downloaded from the city’s website at http://burlingtonvt.gov/CityCouncil/Agendas/
