He will ask the city council Thursday to approve the change, and to also put the zoning question on the November 8 ballot for voters to decide.
Weinberger is a staunch supporter of the height increase, which would allow
buildings up to 14 stories tall at the site of the proposed $250 million Burlington Town Center redevelopment. The current height limit is about ten stories.
Critics of the height increase, like the Coalition for a Livable City group, say Weinberger rushed the zoning change through the city approval process. The group was in the midst of planning a petition drive to get the zoning change on the ballot so that residents could make the decision.
However, the timing of that petition drive likely would have forced a special election in late December or early January, putting the mall decision in limbo for several more months.
To avoid a delay, Weinberger said bringing the matter to a vote in November, when turnout will be high for the presidential election, makes sense.
He predicts voters will say yes, and in doing so prove once and for all that the mall makeover and height change have broad support. “I think that will bring a certain amount of resolution to the future of the project,” he told Seven Days.
Opponents of the height change weren’t completely surprised by the mayor’s announcement. They knew the Weinberger administration was considering the strategy, but think they’ll prevail at the polls — not the mayor.
“He’s been saying for a long time that we are a vocal minority and that’s just not true. I suppose this petition being brought to a vote will prove that,” said Genese Grill, a Coalition for a Livable City member.
The group planned to start a petition drive if the city council OK’s the zoning change, as expected, during Thursday’s meeting. Now its members will meet to discuss the best strategy, according to Grill.
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Why is there a need for extra height? Even DC limits buildings — none can be higher than the Capital. And, it adds charm. Isn’t that important in addition to environmental benefits?
With all the pressure and expediency Weinberger is generating to get Sinex his towers, one has to wonder what is in it for him exactly.
This mayor is so slick… he has momentum because of an overly rushed process… an uninformed public that doesn’t quite understand the particulars of a project the mayor and his developer crony have told them is going to be the answer to all their dreams… yes… rush a vote before an opposition can organize and grow and perhaps inform the public with a counter argument or better, more appropriate options… typical strong arm tactics… I am increasingly disappointed with this mayor’s autocratic style of leadership… there is one good thing… opponents will have two ways to disrupt the Sinex plan… vote down the corporate welfare in the guise of the TIF funds “necessary” for the project… or vote down the zoning change which is just thinly veiled spot zoning… no one is opposed to re-developing the mall… just not this Sinex plan… Burlington can do better than this out of state developer’s idea of what Burlington should look like… large hulking and expensive… build something that adheres to the development road map outlined in Plan BTV… not 160 foot buildings… the Sinex plan is a land and sky grab for the well to do… plain and simple
Time for a recall.
I’m glad to see this go to a vote, and I wil be glad to see the proposal rejected. This is not the right development for Burlington in my opinion. Frankly I am not sure it would be right anywhere.