The Town of Danville is a small, close-knit community on Route 2, about ten miles west of St. Johnsbury.  It includes three small villages -- West Danville, Danville Village, and North Danville -- each of which has its own distinct character.  Most of the town is rural, though, with rolling farmland, extensive forest, and spectacular views of the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Smart Growth Vermont has been working with the Danville Planning Commission since mid-2008 on several projects to update the town's zoning bylaw. The overall goal of each project is as follows:

• Project 1:  Village District Updates. From the spring 2008 to the fall 2009, we worked with the Planning Commission to develop districts and standards for Danville Village that allow new development to follow the traditional pattern of the rest of the village. This project was completed in December 2009 when the Select Board passed the updated regulations. 
• Project 2:  Rural Character Assessment.  To produce a series of tools and strategies for protecting the rural character of the rest of the town (summer 2009 to summer 2010). 

On December 3rd, 2009, Project 1 (Village District Updates) was completed when the Select Board passed the updated Village districts with new zoning standards (see the "Quick Links" box above for final zoning and other products).  The revisions to the town zoning bylaw create four new zoning districts for Danville Village and the immediate surrounding area.  From the center out, the proposed districts include:

1. A village core district surrounding the Green, where a vibrant mix of homes, businesses, and civic uses are encouraged
2. A historic residential district along Peacham, Hill, and Brainerd streets whose purpose is to promote historically compatible infill close to the village core
3. A commercial district that extends east and west a short distance from the village along Route 2, with the goal of encouraging compact, walkable commercial development
4. A new residential district that surrounds the other districts, providing flexible opportunities for building new neighborhoods that follow the traditional village pattern of smaller lots on an interconnected network of quiet streets

These districts are consistent with the goals of the Route 2 Project, whose purpose is to make the highway fit better within the community, particularly in Danville Village.  (The concept plan for narrowing Route 2 as it passes through the village will realign streets around the green and improving pedestrian access across the highway.)  Once the zoning for the village is updated, it will be easier to build new homes and businesses on vacant parcels in and around the village.  At the same time, the new standards will ensure that new development is compatible with the character of the village. 

Project 2 (Rural Character Assessment) is just getting underway as of summer 2009.  It will complete the picture, helping to ensure that Danville's working farm and forest lands and natural beauty are protected even as the community continues to grow and change.  The major components of the project are as follows:

• The project will begin with a community meeting and a series of focus groups to determine what aspects of Danville's rural character are most important to community residents. 
• The project team will then develop a series of maps that document the current status of priority aspects of rural character (as identified by community residents), followed by a review of the town plan and bylaws to determine what changes are most needed in order to protect rural character.
• Finally, the team will draft proposed changes and additions to the bylaws for review and approval by the Planning Commission and Select Board. 

Smart Growth Vermont is working closely with the Northeastern Vermont Development Association on its work in Danville.  Major funding for both Project 1 and Project 2 comes from Municipal Planning Grants awarded to the Town of Danville by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.