Ward 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-01-07
Time: 18:30

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Christopher Haessly
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm City Council Updates | 10 min
 An update on the work of the City Council’s Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee and
 the recent proposal related to unaccepted streets.
 • Mark Barlow, City Councilor, North District
6:45 pm City Council Updates | 15 min
 An update on the work of the City Council’s Community Development and Neighborhood
 Revitalization Committee and the recent syringe litter report.
 • Allie Schachter, City Councilor, East District
7:00 pm Downtown Farmer’s Market | 30 min
 A discussion about the possibility of re-establishing a Downtown Farmer’s Market.
 • Georgie Rubens, Burlington Farmer’s Market
7:30 pm City Budget Presentation | 30 min
 A presentation on the current status of the city’s proposed FY27 budget.
 • Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer
8:00 pm PlanBTV Downtown Fences | 20 min
 A proposed change to PlanBTV related to the height of downtown fences.
 • Sarah Morgan, Principal Planner
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn
 Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 4.




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Christopher Haessly
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm City Council Updates | 10 min
 An update on the work of the City Council’s Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee and
 the recent proposal related to unaccepted streets.
 • Mark Barlow, City Councilor, North District
6:45 pm City Council Updates | 15 min
 An update on the work of the City Council’s Community Development and Neighborhood
 Revitalization Committee and the recent syringe litter report.
 • Allie Schachter, City Councilor, East District
7:00 pm Downtown Farmer’s Market | 30 min
 A discussion about the possibility of re-establishing a Downtown Farmer’s Market.
 • Georgie Rubens, Burlington Farmer’s Market
7:30 pm City Budget Presentation | 30 min
 A presentation on the current status of the city’s proposed FY27 budget.
 • Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer
8:00 pm PlanBTV Downtown Fences | 20 min
 A proposed change to PlanBTV related to the height of downtown fences.
 • Sarah Morgan, Principal Planner
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn
 Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 4.




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda


 Page 1 of 22
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

 Page 2 of 22
FY27 Initial General Fund Budget Review
 Ward 3 NPA
 January 7, 2026

 1
 Page 3 of 22
  What the City Needs:
Projected FY27 Expenses

 2
 Page 4 of 22
General Fund Expense




 3
 Page 5 of 22
 What the City Needs in FY27 - Personnel

• Started with FY26 personnel budget

• Add 2 new firefighters per BFFA contract

• Add contractually-negotiated cost of living adjustments
 • BFFA @ 7%
 • BPOA @ 4.75%
 • AFSCME – negotiations start in January so used a conservative estimate
 • Non-union – used AFSCME estimate as is our recent practice

 4
 Page 6 of 22
 What the City Needs in FY27 - Personnel

• Add required annual step increases for all eligible employees

• Increase employer healthcare costs by 10% based on initial estimate
  and subject to change based on current usage

• Increase employer retirement costs by 5% (initial estimate)

• Increase worker’s compensation insurance costs by estimated 5%

 5
 Page 7 of 22
 What the City Needs in FY27 - Operating

• Add 3% for inflation on most other non-personnel operating costs

• Added money have cash available to purchase nine new vehicles on the
  urgent/dire need list: six are for police & fire and remaining are for parks

 • Since 2013 City has constrained replacement of vehicles and equipment for
 budget reasons
 • In 2020 fleet committee estimated City needs $2.7M year for sustainable
 replacement of fleet
 • City has not yet been able to find any sustainable fleet money in budget
 • Situation has is no longer sustainable for first responders
 6
 Page 8 of 22
 What the City Has:
FY27 Revenue Starting Point

 7
 Page 9 of 22
 Grand List: Foundation for Prop Tax

• Start with new grand list estimate from
  assessor to create property tax revenue
  estimate
• This represents approximately half of
  City’s GF revenue in total
• Average annual grand list growth of
  1.05% since 2016
• FY27 we do not expect growth in tax
  revenue due to loss of business personal
  property tax + continuation of 3 large
  Waterfront TIF parcels (not paying
  municipal taxes)



 8
 Page 10 of 22
 Removing One-Time and Historically
 Unachievable Revenues
• FY26 Included $1.2M of ARPA funding for police and fire salaries that
  is no longer available.
• FY26 included $650K of one-time increased collection of delinquent
  property taxes & gross receipts – removing for further discussion
• P&I revenues and financial services & recording fee revenues
  overbudgeted in recent years and budget not met – revising
  downward to make realistic creates an additional expected gap of
  $1.3M

• All of this adds up to about $4M of revenue City had in FY26 that is
  not expected in FY27. The City needs to find a new source of revenue
  for this or cut this amount of expenses.
 9
 Page 11 of 22
 Current FY27 Gap Estimate


• There is a budget gap estimated between $10-$12M

• Will have more precise information after Department Heads update
  their budgets and health & retirement numbers finalized




 10
 Page 12 of 22
Options for Meeting
FY27 Budget Need

 11
 Page 13 of 22
 Budget Landscape

• City is not in a unique position, many others around the country face similar
  budget challenges post-COVID

• FY27 budget will continue to reposition City to rely on sustainable financial
  sources

• As we have done in the past, City will meet this challenge with a mix of
  cutting expenses and raising revenues

• Further discussions continue at Board of Finance next Monday



 12
 Page 14 of 22
 Raise Police & Fire Property Tax

• One option we intend to pursue is $.05 increase to police & fire tax

• Would raise about $3M toward projected gap

• Current police & fire tax projected to raise $6.4M this year

• In contrast the budgets for those departments are $39.1M

• Police & fire tax only raises 16% of costs for the services



 13
 Page 15 of 22
 Municipal Property Tax History
Note $353K is current median
assessed value for home or
condo in Burlington
 Total
 Fiscal Past Muni Muni $
 Year Tax Rate  Tax on Increase % Increase
 $353K
 Property
 FY22 $.6704 $2,367
 FY23 $.7085 $2,501 $134 5.7%
 FY24 $.7523 $2,655 $154 6.2%
 FY25 $.8326 $2,939 $284 10.7%
 FY26 $.8556 $3,020 $81 2.8%
 14
 Page 16 of 22
 Property Tax Proposed

• The municipal tax rate is made up of 15 different splinter taxes,
  including Debt Service Tax and Retirement Tax. Those two
  splinter taxes increase or decrease automatically each year
  without voter approval to cover actual costs incurred by City.


• This means that by Charter at a minimum FY27 municipal taxes
  will go up $.0307 to cover Debt and Retirement expenses.



 15
 Page 17 of 22
 Municipal Property Tax Proposed

 Total Total Muni Total Muni
 Proposed Proposed Tax on Annual Tax on Annual $ %
 Tax Muni Tax $353K $ Increase $500K Increase Increase
 Increase Rate* Property Property
Required + $.05 $.0807 $.9363 $3,305 $285 $4,682 $404 9.4%
for Police & Fire
Required Only – $.0307 $.8863 $3,129 $109 $4,432 $154 3.6%
 Debt &
  Retirement




 16
 Page 18 of 22
 Other Options

Actively pursuing other options, including but not limited to:

• Cutting City expenses – each department reporting on possible 5%
  and 10% cut scenarios
• Early retirement and/or voluntary furlough program
• Leveraging City assets
• Use of one-time revenues
• Increased collections of accounts receivables

 17
 Page 19 of 22
 Summary

• $10-12M current gap

• Will utilize a varied approach to handle – raising revenue + cutting expenses

• Any potential tax increase needs to be voted on by City Council to put on
  Town Meeting Day ballot by end of January

• Mayor and I will be back next month to discuss tax increase in more detail

• Full budget presentations by each department will happen in early April

• Budget drafted by Mayor and must be approved by June 30 by City Council
 18
 Page 20 of 22
 City of Burlington, VT
 149 Church Street, 3rd Floor
 Burlington, VT 05401
 Phone: (802) 865-7194
 www.burlingtonvt.gov/plan


TO: Burlington Planning Commission
FROM: Sarah Morgan, AICP, Principal Planner
 Charles Dillard, AICP, Director of City Planning
DATE: November 25, 2025
RE: Proposed ZA-26-02 planBTV Downtown Code Fence Height

This memo is intended to provide an overview about the proposed changes included in ZA-26-02.
1. Overview & Background
Downtown business owners, their employees, and service providers are facing ongoing challenges related to
substance use, hygiene, and safety, particularly in alleys, entryways, and service areas. Due to the rigidity of the
planBTV Downtown Code, the Development Review Board has requested a zoning amendment that provides
more allowance for taller fences in Burlington’s downtown districts.
Currently, Article 14 of the Comprehensive Development Ordinance does not allow for Fences and Free-standing
Walls to exceed 4 feet in height when placed in the First Lot Layer. The proposed amendment to Article 14 would
create an administrative approval pathway for fences up to 6 feet in height, provided they are transparent.
Staff presented ZA-26-02: Downtown Fences to the Planning Commission during its meeting on October 14th.
The Commissioners discussed the complexities surrounding this amendment, including the desire to make sure
that Burlington’s downtown remain welcoming while also providing more flexibility in the height and materials
of fences. As originally presented to the Planning Commission, this amendment made no changes to requirements
related to the material of fences, and while it would allow for taller fences, chain-link fences were still not
permitted along the frontage line of a property. Ultimately, Commissioners referred to the Planning Commission
Ordinance Committee (PCOC) for further discussion.
2. Summary of 11/24 Planning Commission Ordinance Committee Discussion
The PCOC met on November 24th to discuss this amendment and were in agreement that it should take a balanced
approach. Committee members share the goal of supporting downtown businesses and also want to prevent this
amendment from negatively impacting the City’s broader goal of maintaining a welcoming downtown.
During Public Forum, members of the downtown business community spoke in support of the amendment and
also requested that the amendment be expanded to allow chain-link fences in certain cases. Committee members
acknowledged the benefits of allowing chain-link fencing but expressed concerns about impacting the downtown
experience if allowed within or along the First Lot Layer. Ultimately, the Committee agreed that chain-link fences
should be permitted only when used to enclose alleyways or loading docks, and that those fences may be up to 6
feet in height.
Committee members did not reach consensus on whether 6-foot fences should be allowed elsewhere in the First
Lot Layer, or whether the 4-foor limit should remain in place except in the case of enclosing alleyways or loading
docks.
The Committee voted to refer the revised amendment back to the Planning Commission, with the condition that
the staff memo reflect that there was and should be additional discussion among the Commission on whether the
height increase from 4 to 6 feet should apply more broadly within the First Lot Layer or remain limited to
alleyways and loading docks.




 Page 21 of 22
4. Proposed Amendment: ZA-26-02
a) Amendment Type

 Text Amendment Map Amendment Text & Map Amendment

b) Purpose Statement
The proposed change in ZA-26-02 aims to address challenges related to fence height in Downtown districts.
c) Proposed Amendment
 1. Amendments to Article 14: PlanBTV Downtown Code Fences
 • Amends Sec. 14.6.8 (b) v. A. Fences and Free-Standing Walls to create an administrative approval
 pathway allowing for fences to be up to 6 feet in height, as long as they are transparent.
 • Amends Sec. 14.6.8 (b) v. B. to allow for chain-link and welded-wire fencing to be used in alleyways or
 loading docks.
d) Relationship to planBTV
This following discussion of conformance with the goals and policies of planBTV is prepared in accordance with
the provisions of 24 V.S.A. §4441(c).
 Theme: Dynamic Distinctive Inclusive Connected
 Land Use: Conserve Sustain Grow

 Compatibility with Proposed Future Land Use & Density
 The proposed amendment aligns with the land use and density policies outlined in planBTV. Its purpose is to
 support both existing and future businesses in downtown as the city adapts to challenges related to public
 health and safety. This change reflects the intent of the "Dynamic" theme, which prioritizes purposeful and
 economically viable solutions that enable the city to meet current needs and address future challenges.
 Impact on Safe & Affordable Housing
 This amendment has no direct impact on safe and affordable housing.
 Planned Community Facilities
 This amendment has no direct impact on planned community facilities.
h) Process Overview
The following chart summarizes the current stage in the zoning amendment process, and identifies any
recommended actions:
 Planning Commission Process

  Draft Amendment Presentation to &
  prepared by Staff discussion by Commission: Approve for Public Approved & forwarded to
 Public Hearing
 Hearing Council
 9/18/25 10/14/25, 11/24/25*

 City Council Process
 First Read & Referral Council
 Ordinance Committee Ordinance Committee Public
 to Ordinance Second Read Approval &
 discussion recommend Hearing
 Committee Adoption
*Discussed by the Planning Commission Ordinance Committee




 Page 22 of 22

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, January 7, 2026
 Sharon Bushor Room, Burlington City Hall
 Meeting Minutes
1. Welcome & Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:30 PM by Zach Cummings, Ward 3 NPA
Steering Committee member.
2. Attendee Introductions
  • NPA Steering Committee Members:
 ✓ Brooks Cummings, Cherry Street (via remote attendance)
 ✓ Zachary Cummings, South Champlain Street
 ✓ Christopher-Aaron Felker, Park Street (via remote attendance)
 ✓ Darrell Fields, Church Street
 ✓ Christopher Haessly, College Street
 ✓ Charlie Messing, College Street
  • City Officials/Staff:
 ✓ Mark Barlow, City Councilor, North District
 ✓ Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District
 ✓ Allie Schachter, City Councilor, East District
 ✓ Barbara Turnbull, Dept of Finance and Administration
 ✓ Theresa Vezina, Mayor’s Office
 ✓ Jen Monroe Zakaras, Mayor’s Office
 ✓ Charlie Giannoni, Town Meeting TV
  • Presenters:
 ✓ Georgie Rubens, Burlington Farmer’s Market
 ✓ Katherine Schad, Dept of Finance and Administration
 ✓ Sarah Morgan, Office of City Planning
  • Community Members/Public:
 ✓ Nick Brown, College Street
 ✓ Susan Dow, South Champlain Street
 ✓ Susan Forester, College Street
 ✓ Debbie Krugipudi, North Champlain Street
 ✓ Jill Lesh, College Street
 ✓ Trudy Richmond, Elmwood Avenue (via remote attendance)
 ✓ Sarah Rose, North Winooski Avenue
 ✓ Laura Sánchez-Parkinson, Front Street
3. City Council Updates
Presented by: Councilor Mark Barlow (North District)
Councilor Barlow provided an update on the work of the City Council’s Transportation, Energy,
and Utilities Committee and the recent proposal related to unaccepted streets.
 • Policy Formalization: The Department of Public Works (DPW) is working to formalize
 policies regarding fifty-five (55) total streets: thirty-two (32) private streets and twenty-
 three (23) unaccepted streets.
 • Ward 3 Impact: There are five (5) unaccepted streets in Ward 3: Lawson Lane,
 Markham’s Lane, Mechanics Lane, Sunset Court, and Bolt Street.
 • Service Maintenance: Residents on these streets often assume they are city-owned.
 Councilor Barlow clarified that while engineering standards are a concern for formal
 acceptance, the city does not intend to abandon services (like plowing) by the original
 October 2026 target without formal agreements.
 • Individualized Process: The Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee (TEUC) is
 pushing for an individualized review of each street rather than a blanket cut-off date.
4. City Council Updates
Presented by: Allie Schachter (East District)
Councilor Schachter provided an update on the work of the City Council’s Community
Development and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee and the recent syringe litter report.
Data Highlights:
 • In 2024, approximately 944,000 needles were dispensed from the Clark Street location;
 the return rate was fifty-five (55) percent.
 • As of summer 2025, the return rate increased to eighty-one (81) percent with 370,000
 returned out of 457,000 dispensed.
Key Recommendations:
 • Data Collection: Improving the “SeeClickFix” app to track specific quantities of syringes
 found.
 • Disposal Boxes: Strategic installation of safe disposal boxes in "hotspots" like Pearl
 Street and city parking garages.
 • Volunteer Coordination: Standardizing training and equipment for volunteer cleanup
 walks.
 • Public Health Context: Teresa Vezina clarified that programs are "Syringe Service
 Providers" (SSPs) rather than 1-for-1 exchanges. Research indicates 1-for-1 models can
 inhibit public health by forcing the reuse of non-sterile needles.
5. Downtown Farmer’s Market
The NPA met with Georgie Rubens, General Manager of the Burlington Farmer’s Market, and
discussed the possibility of re-establishing a Downtown Farmer’s Market.
Background:
 • Current Status: The market is currently located at 345 Pine Street. While successful,
 there is consistent community feedback regarding the loss of the "charming" downtown
 atmosphere.
 • Barriers to Return: City Hall Park’s new design is physically smaller and cannot
 accommodate the full current roster of vendors safely. Additionally, the market must
 maintain a 50% agricultural vendor ratio.
Proposed Solutions:
 • Pilot Program: Exploring a smaller "mid-week" or "satellite" market downtown with five
 (5) to ten (10) keystone vendors.
 • Accessibility: Concerns were raised regarding the Pine Street location being inaccessible
 for elderly residents due to distance and gravel terrain.
6. City Budget Presentation
Presented by: Katherine Schad, Dept of Finance and Administration
Chief Administrative Officer Schad provided an update on the current status of the city’s
proposed FY27 budget.
Fiscal Outlook:
 • The city faces a projected $10M to $12M budget gap for Fiscal Year 2027 on a $107M
 general fund budget.
Primary Drivers:
 • Personnel Costs: Contractual cost-of-living adjustments for the Fire Department (7%)
 and the Police Department (5%).
 • Healthcare: Significant rising costs for self-insured plans.
 • Deferred Maintenance: The city has not replaced general fund vehicles since 2020.
 Police and Fire currently require at least six new vehicles.
Revenue Strategies:
 • A proposed 5-cent tax increase for Police and Fire services.
 • Exploring the sale of vacant city-owned land (non-occupied assets).
 • Implementing a five (5) to ten (10) percent cut across all city departments.
7. PlanBTV Downtown Fences
Presented by: Sarah Morgan, Office of City Planning
Principal Planner Morgan provided an update on a proposed change to PlanBTV related to the
height of downtown fences.
 • Zoning Amendment 26-02: Proposed changes to allow taller fences (up to 6 feet) in
 downtown "form districts," specifically to secure alleyways and loading docks.
 • Aesthetics vs. Security: The Planning Commission is balancing the need for security (to
 prevent loitering and waste in service areas) with the desire for a "welcoming"
 pedestrian experience.
 • Materiality: Chain link is being considered as a temporary, lower-cost option that is
 more likely to be removed in the future compared to permanent high-investment
 aluminum fencing.
8. Public Forum
Several members of the community came forward to speak on various topics.
 ● Sarah Rose (North Winooski Avenue): Reported ongoing dangerous activity at 42 North
 Winooski Ave, including a recent shooting and inadequate property maintenance by the
 owners. Councilor Grant agreed to follow up.
 ● Debbie Krugipudi (North Champlain Street): Announced her candidacy for Inspector of
 Elections in Ward 3 and collected signatures for the ballot.
 ● Laura Sánchez-Parkinson (Front Street): Introduced herself as a candidate for Ward 3
 City Councilor, focusing on renter safety and community engagement.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:35 PM.