A Petition to the Burlington City Council, Planning Commission, and City Staff

We, the undersigned, recognize that Burlington faces a significant housing shortage and support thoughtful, sustainable solutions that increase housing opportunities throughout our city.

We are also deeply concerned that the PlanBTV concept identifies Starr Farm Park as a location for future residential and commercial development. Starr Farm Park is one of the New North End's most cherished public spaces, providing opportunities for recreation, outdoor education, wildlife habitat, and community connection. Once public parkland is developed, it cannot easily be restored.

We believe Burlington can address its housing needs while also protecting the parks and green spaces that contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life of our neighborhoods.

We respectfully ask the City to:

• Preserve Starr Farm Park as a public recreational and natural resource.
• Evaluate alternative locations for future housing and commercial development that minimizes the loss of public green space and prioritizes redevelopment of already developed or underutilized land before converting public parkland.
• Expand public engagement. Many residents only became aware of this proposal after the draft plan was released. Before moving forward, the City should provide additional opportunities for meaningful community participation and ensure neighborhood voices are heard.
• Provide clarity regarding the ownership of the proposed dwelling units. Because these homes will be built on publicly owned land, we expect them to be owner-occupied. If rental units are proposed, the City should clearly explain how they will be managed and whether private landlords will be permitted to profit from housing on public land. If this development does take place we want neighbors, not landlords. 
• Complete and publicly share comprehensive studies addressing:
  • Traffic safety considerations for bikes and pedestrians, including near the bike path crossing, neighborhood intersections, school, and park entrances.
  • Traffic congestion and parking impacts, including an analysis of the Starr Farm Road and North Avenue intersection, as well as the impacts of bypass traffic on the Grey Meadow, Tracy Drive, and Cottage Grove neighborhoods.
  • Stormwater management and potential impacts to nearby waterways and Lake Champlain.
  • Existing infrastructure capacity, including roads, drainage, utilities, and public services.
  • Environmental impacts, including mature trees, wildlife habitat, and open space.
• Clearly demonstrate why Starr Farm Park is the preferred location compared with other redevelopment opportunities before any future decisions are made.

Our request is not opposition to housing. We support increasing housing opportunities throughout Burlington. We are asking the City to pursue solutions that carefully balance housing with environmental stewardship, public safety, preservation of public parks, expanded ownership options, and meaningful community engagement.

Learn More
We encourage every resident to review the City's draft plan, including the conceptual vision for Starr Farm Park: PlanBTV – New North End Draft Plan https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/824/planBTV-New-North-End

Attend a Public Meeting
Community participation is essential. Whether you support, oppose, or have questions about the proposal, please attend an upcoming meeting, ask questions, and share your feedback directly with City officials.

Upcoming Meetings

• Wednesday, July 22 - 6:30 - 8pm at the Miller Center to discuss these concepts, answer questions, and hear additional feedback.
• Tuesday, July 28, 6:45pm – Public Meeting @ City Hall, 6:45pm in the Sharon Bush or Conference Room at City Hall (149 Church Street) 

Please share this petition with your neighbors, friends, and fellow park users. Thoughtful community participation will help ensure that Burlington's future reflects the voices of the people who live here.