Joel Banner Baird

Free Press Staff Writer

Voters in Burlington approved two ballot items that allow proposed redevelopment plans for Burlington Town Center to move forward, city officials announced Tuesday.

Unofficial results showed zoning changes for downtown passed, 8,993 - 7,689. A TIF financing proposal for road, sewer and water improvements in the vicinity of the mall passed 10,025 - 7,086.

Both measures had been heavily promoted by Mayor Miro Weinberger and a majority of City Councilors.

Acknowledging the close vote, Weinberger credited opponents with helping improve standards for future downtown growth.

"Everyone involved in this discussion has been working for a better Burlington," the mayor said.

Citing uncertainty over the final vote count, Steve Goodkind, treasurer of opposition group Coalition for a Livable City, declined to comment on the apparent outcome.

Town Center owner and developer Don Sinex said he was "humbled and appreciative" of the result in an emailed statement released about 10:45 p.m.

"With this transformative redevelopment, we will eliminate the out-of-date suburban mall now weighing down the middle of this beautiful downtown," Sinex wrote. "We will replace the aging, rusting, underutilized mall with new housing, new streets, new jobs, increased revenue, and greater opportunity, bringing new life to the heart of the downtown."

Ballot item No. 3 re-defines zoning in an area of about two blocks between Cherry and Banks streets.

Designed to increase housing, business and transportation options downtown, the proposed zoning change raises the maximum height for new buildings from 105 feet to 160 feet, topping out at 14 stories.

The prospect of increased height in the downtown was heavily criticized by some residents as a subversion of community standards.

Ballot item No. 4 allows the city to acquire corridors through the Burlington Town Center property in order to connect Pine and St. Paul streets.The same measure will raise money to pay for improvements to Cherry and Bank streets, and for stormwater and sewer upgrades — as part of a predevelopment agreement the city reached in May with Sinex.

Repayments of loans to make those improvements (up to $21.8 million) would be made through anticipated increases in property tax within a special tax-increment finance district framed by Church, Battery, Bank and Cherry streets.

Both measures had the support of Democrats on the Council, with the exception of Chip Mason, Ward 5, who recused himself from votes on the issue due to conflicts with his work.

Councilor Kurt Wright, the council's only Republican, also favored the measures. He was joined by Independent Councilors Adam Roof, Ward 8; and David Hartnett, North District.

Progressives were split on the zoning issue: Progressive City Council President Jane Knodell was a supporter, as was Sara Giannoni, who represents Ward 3.

Progressive Councilors Max Tracy, Ward 2; and Selene Colburn, East District, argued against the zoning measures, joined by Ward-1 independent Sharon Bushor.

Advocates rallied as Partnership for Burlington's Future, a nonprofit led by Councilor Hartnett. Former Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle served as the group's treasurer.

Ballot item could reshape Burlington

These ballot items also passed:

Ballot Item no. 1: A request by the city to borrow up to $27.5 million to, over the course of five years, repair roads and sidewalks; replace aging fire engines; and to continue repairs and rehabilitation of the waterfront bike path.

Ballot Item no. 2: Allows the city to borrow $8.3 million, to be spent through 2020, to fund upgrades to the city’s water system, including the replacement aging, vulnerable underground water lines.

Ballot Items no. 1 and no. 2 were approved unanimously by City Council on Sept. 19.

Ballot Item no. 5: Clarifies the language used to define parking lots and garages within the city, and their funding mechanisms. It needs a simple majority to pass.

Ballot Item no. 6: A non-binding measure, placed on the ballot by petition, asks the city to relocate portions of the waterfront bike path on the western side of railroad tracks between King and College streets.

It also advises the city to use the public trust doctrine or eminent domain to secure that goal.

This story was first posted online on Nov. 8, 2016. Contact Joel Banner Baird at 802-660-1843 or joelbaird@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @VTgoingUp.

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