BY GUY PAGE ON
By Paul Bean
The Burlington City Council Monday, Jan. 29 delayed a vote on proposed zoning amendments because it wants to better understand the impact of increasing housing density.
“Let me be honest, it’s overwhelming,” says City Councilor Gene Bergman. “Anyone who would be in my situation who is not overwhelmed by the detail and the seriousness of this, is either an Einstein, or they’re fooling themselves and everybody else.”
The Council also wants more public input. It will hear residents’ opinions at the Feb. 12 meeting on proposed zoning reforms in the Neighborhood Code. To address significant housing shortages and unprecedented homelessness crisis, the Council would allow more duplexes, fourplexes, and cottage courts, AKA ‘tiny home’ pods.
Mayor Weinberger, an advocate of the changes, said: “I am sympathetic to other councilors here tonight, that this is very complicated, a lot to take in… I would urge us to find a way to keep our eye on the calendar and take the steps that need to be taken so this can pass.”
Some Burlington residents expressed concerns how the new code would affect their neighborhoods, including being targeted for redevelopment.
“The density increases from seven units per acre, to 70 or 80 as permitted, does not qualify as small or subtle,” Karen Long said. “The pitch seems to be that if eight or 10 units are allowed, it won’t happen on every lot, so don’t worry. I’m sure it won’t happen instantaneously, but when it does even the first time, the response might well be to jump on the bandwagon, move to the suburbs, or both.”
Other residents worried about how college students impact the city’s housing. As demand for off-campus student rentals increases, so do the challenges of housing locals. 75% of students are from out-of-state, Sandy Wynn of Mansfield Avenue claimed.
At a bottom line, Burlingtonians agree action is needed. The council will delay voting until it understands the code changes and has a chance to foresee any negative externalities.
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