NEW ROADSCAPE GUIDE HELPS COMMUNITIES PLAN FOR SCENIC CORRIDORS

Road corridors are much more than a way to move cars. They are the framework around which our communities are formed, shaping the character of those communities. The newly-published Roadscape Guide helps communities understand the character of a road corridor, recognize the forces that may bring unwelcome change, and use the right tools and techniques to preserve and enhance the landscape.

This guide expands our perceptions of what road corridors are and what they mean to our communities. Too often we think of road corridors as only commercial venues or routes for sprawling subdivisions, spreading from our villages and downtowns out into the countryside. The Roadscape Guide covers a range of strategies for preserving open spaces along roads leading into downtowns and villages.

The Roadscape Guide was published by the Champlain Valley Greenbelt Alliance and is distributed by the Vermont Forum on Sprawl. Click here to order a copy.

FORUM WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

John T. Ewing, the Forum's Board Chair, has announced that Lawrence Gubb, David Rocchio and John Roberts have joined our Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to have people of this caliber joining our Board,” said Ewing. “Each of these talented individuals bring years of expertise and unique perspectives to our mission and work.” For more information on our new Board members, please click here.

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO VERMONTERS

With all the recent media concerning global warming and greenhouse gases, particularly from vehicle emissions, Vermonters should know that there are a variety of transportation options. According to a 2005 study published by the Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund, transportation is the leading cause of global warming emissions in Vermont, and more than 75% of all commuters in Vermont drive alone to and from work. In the year 2000, commuters in Vermont were responsible for 449,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. While commuting will continue to be necessary, there are options for Vermonters.

For a state with our size and population, there is a fairly extensive bus service, especially in the downtown regions of Burlington and Montpelier. The Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Green Mountain Transit Agency (GMTA) have daily schedules that serve many locations, as well as the LINK Express routes, which help commuters from Montpelier, St. Albans and Middlebury get to work or school in Burlington.

The Vermont RideShare program is a free carpool and vanpool program that offers a computerized matching service for individuals and employers in regions with no bus service. It’s an easy way to significantly reduce your transportation costs. Share a ride with one or more commuters who are traveling your route or to your workplace. Choose to carpool every day or just a few times a week – whatever is convenient for you. Vermont RideShare will help you find a commuting solution that’s right for your schedule.

Both of these transportation options are economical, environmentally sound, and can help Vermonters reduce the environmental impact of driving their cars.

STATE AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION DRAFTS BIKE/PED PLAN

After completing a draft of the Vermont Pedestrian and Bicycle Policy Plan, the Vermont Agency of Transportation hosted a series of public meetings. The meetings provided an opportunity for Vermonters to comment on the plan, which summarizes the current state of bike and pedestrian systems in the state, and outlines new components to be added to the current structure. The Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition is calling on the Administration to include more measurable outcomes and policies for the project, as well as specific performance measures. To read the Executive Summary or Draft Plan, click here.

CHITTENDEN COUNTY STUDIES ROUTE CORRIDORS

The Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) is conducting studies on two heavily traveled roadways, Routes 2 and 15. The outcome of these studies will help CCMPO develop a system-wide approach that addresses current and future transportation needs in these corridors including pedestrian, bicycle, bus, light rail, and highway. As traffic increases on these two roadways, CCMPO is exploring alternatives to the congestion caused by single-occupant cars. The Route 2 corridor study was completed in 2006, while the Route 15 corridor study is currently in progress. Results of this study will be available later this year. For more information, click here.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM ENCOURAGES KID-POWERED TRANSPORTATION

As part of the Vermont Safe Routes to School program, thirty three schools have been engaged in planning, education, encouragement and team-building efforts around bicycle and pedestrian safety issues. Students, teachers and parents are assessing conditions faced by students who would like to walk or bike to school, and undertaking surveys to determine current levels of walking and biking. Schools have also coordinated fun activities like Walking Wednesdays, on which students are encouraged to walk or bike.

Later this year, the Program will solicit and select infrastructure projects, such as bicycle parking, sidewalks, shared-use paths and improved crossings, that have been identified by schools. The State also plans to develop a training curriculum for crossing guards, and provide bike and pedestrian safety education in the participating schools. For more information about Safe Routes to School, visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School web site. For questions about the Vermont program, please contact Jon Kaplan at (802) 828-0059.

VERMONT NEWS

Vermont Downtown Program Chosen as International Award Finalist

The World Travel and Tourism Council has chosen the Vermont Downtown Program and its twenty two Main Street districts as a finalist for their Destination Award. The other two finalists are the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Green Box ecotourism in Ireland. The winner will be announced in May. For more information about the award, click here.

Waterbury Loses Downtown Supermarket

Waterbury lost a vital part of its village when P&C Foods closed its doors on February 3rd. As the only grocery store in the village center easily accessible by walking or biking, the closure has left a void for seniors and those people not able to drive. There is hope that another community supermarket will take its place and once again provide Waterbury citizens with a downtown store for groceries.

Citizen Action Day--February 15th

Join Vermont's environmental community on February 15th at the State House for Citizen Action Day. Legislators and concerned Vermonters will meet to discuss the many environmental issues facing the state. Meetings begin at 9:00 am in Rooms 10 and 11 at the State House.

Waste Prevention Forum

On February 15th, the Agency of Natural Resources will host Beyond Disposal and Recycling--Forum on Preventing Waste. This event will look at the amount and types of waste that Vermont produces, as well as waste prevention stategies. For information, or to register, click here.

NATIONAL NEWS

Neighborworks Training Institute Event
February 19-23, 2007
Atlanta, GA

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

National Main Streets Conference
March 25-28, 2007
Seattle, WA

The National Main Streets Conference will focus on economic development and preservation-based community revitalization. For more information, or to register, click here.

New England New Urbanism Conference
March 30, 2007
Lowell, MA

The Congress for New Urbanism, New England chapter, will hold a day of educational sessions addressing the issues of the development of New Urbanism and the New England response. For more information, or to register, click here.

National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Call for Entries

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for the 2007 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. The competition is open to public-sector groups that have used smart growth principles to imporve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. The deadline for entries is April 3. For more information, click here.