An article in the Burlington Free Press, yesterday, detailed the pending decision for the proposed Champlain Parkway Project in the South End of Burlington.
The Champlain Parkway is a long-planned transportation infrastructure improvement in the City of Burlington. The State of Vermont Agency of Transportation, represented by Assistant Attorney General Daniel Dutcher, and the City of Burlington, represented by SRH Law attorneys Brian Dunkiel and Elizabeth Catlin, are co-applicants for an Act 250 permit for the Parkway. The Parkway’s Act 250 permit is being opposed by Fortieth Burlington, LLC, an owner of a large commercial property on Lakeside Avenue in Burlington. The Parkway received positive findings from the Act 250 District Commission in 2011, but Fortieth Burlington appealed the District Commission’s decision to the Vermont Environmental Court. Fortieth Burlington has argued that the Project will cause burdensome traffic impacts to its property. The parties argued their cases before the Environmental Court this spring.
The City asserts that the Parkway would improve the flow of traffic for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and the plans strike the proper balance between the vast public benefits of the Project and provide reasonable access to the Fortieth property. The City has also suggested adding a condition to the Act 250 permit, requiring traffic conditions adjacent to Fortieth’s property to be monitored during the Project’s first three operational years and allowing the parties the opportunity to adjust the Project for any needed improvements.
The parties are now awaiting a decision from the Environmental Court, which is expected in the next few months.
photo from pixababy
