COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS LOCAL PLANNING

In the late 1980’s, Vermont adopted a number of planning and development goals as part of the State’s planning statutes. Foremost among these is to plan development so as to maintain the historic settlement pattern of compact village and urban centers separated by rural countryside. This goal is also the first of the Forum’s 10 smart growth principles.

Through our Community Planning Partnership, the Forum is working with select communities interested in planning for their future in a way that achieves this goal and promotes smart growth. The partnership is intended to:

• Provide Vermont communities with technical support to create land use plans and regulations that balance economic, social and environmental priorities;
• Foster the development of thoughtful, innovative community-based solutions (i.e., regulatory provisions, plan elements, ordinances, programs and policies) in diverse communities that can serve as examples for other communities facing similar challenges.

Two examples of our Community Planning Partnership are featured below. For more information, or to inquire about other ways in which the Forum can help your community with its planning efforts, please contact Brian Shupe.

FORUM TEAMS UP TO HELP THE TOWN OF READING ADDRESS FOREST FRAGMENTATION

Vermont’s working landscape is a rich mosaic of farmland, productive forest and fragile natural areas. In some areas, such as the Champlain Valley, agricultural land is the dominant feature. In other parts of the state large tracts of contiguous forest define the landscape.

While the loss of farmland to development is an easily recognized impact of sprawl, the fragmentation of forest land is an equally serious issue that has generated less public outcry. Many communities are realizing, however, that forest fragmentation can have significant impacts on wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation and the economic vitality of Vermont’s important forest products industry.

One such community is the Town of Reading, which has asked the Forum, in partnership with the Southern Windsor Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Natural Resource Council and Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, to help develop strategies that address issues associated with forest fragmentation and habitat loss.

The Forum will work with the project team to document existing land use patterns and fragmentation trends in the community. We will also engage local residents and landowners in a discussion of the forest values that are important to the community and identify policy options available to the community to address fragmentation. Finally, we will draft plan and bylaw provisions that the Commission determines to be appropriate for the community.

CORNWALL VILLAGE FOCUS OF COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE

After making steady progress on updating the Town’s zoning bylaw, the Cornwall Planning Commission’s efforts slowed as they sought to address the future of Cornwall Village, a small historic hamlet located approximately five miles southwest of Middlebury. After discussions with the Planning Commission, the Forum will assist with the development of new zoning standards for the Village, along with the Addison County Regional Planning Commission and Terra Firma Design of Burlington.

The issue of village development is a common topic of debate and disagreement in many small Vermont communities. Frequently the debate focuses on the preservation of the historic character and quality of life enjoyed by village residents versus the continued growth and function of a village as a center of community life and commerce.

By engaging affected residents and landowners in the rezoning process, identifying a range of possible alternatives and generating conceptual designs of how those alternatives would affect the physical character of the village, the Forum hopes to help strike an appropriate balance between development and preservation that will address local concerns.

LEGISLATURE LOOKS AT TRANSIT OPTIONS

The House Transportation Committee held a hearing at the Statehouse on Tuesday April 3rd to hear testimony about the state of public transit in Vermont. The committee was considering a bill aimed at increasing funding for public transportation in the state. The bill (H.540) would put in place a one-time $150 charge on new vehicles purchased that get below 17 miles per gallon. The Forum testified at the hearing in support of public transportation as it is one of the key components of smart growth, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The bill passed the Transportation Committee with a vote of seven to four, and is currently in the Ways and Means Committee.

VERMONT NEWS

Downtown Board Awards $300,000 in Grants

The Downtown Development Board awarded $300,000 in grants for communities who will be improving transportation infrastructure in their downtowns. The Board also renewed the Downtown designation for Brandon and Vergennes and the Village Center designation for Barton and Peacham. For more information, click here.

Going Local Conference
April 19, 2007
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

The University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will be sponsoring a Going Local Colloquium on April 19th at UVM's Waterman Building. This event will include panel discussions and display booths about supporting local businesses in Vermont. For more information, email Jennifer Green at the University of Vermont.

Annual Vermont Preservation Conference
May 16, 2007
Montpelier, VT

The Preservation Trust of Vermont will be hosting the annual Vermont Preservation Conference on May 16th in Montpelier. Additional information and registration will soon be available on the Preservation Trust website.

NATIONAL NEWS

Northeast Land Trust Conference
April 19-21, 2007
Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, NY

The Land Trust Alliance will be holding the Northeast Land Trust Conference this April. Topics covered will include land protection, conservation, and biodiversity. For more information, or to register, click here.

2007 Environmental Summit for Local Governments
May 3, 2007
Washington, DC

The National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals will hold a day-long forum that will cover topics such as sustainable development, environmental protection and policy, and the role of local and regional governments. For more information, click here.

NeighborWorks America Training Institute
May 7-11, 2007
Phoenix, AZ

The NeighborWorks Training Institute will convene three days of training in Phoenix this May. Educational sessions will include Affordable Housing, Community and Neighborhood Revitalization, and Community Building and Organization. For more information, or to register, click here.