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Municipal Planning Grants Available for 2010

Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development has announced that Municipal Planning Grants will be available this year. Grants will be awarded for single applications in the amount of $15,000; multi-town projects are eligible for up to $25,000. No local match is required this year. For more information, or to apply for a grant, email Wendy Tudor, or call 802-828-5249.

Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont Press Release

People are the catalyst for change. Smart Growth Vermont recognizes this by each year celebrating an individual for his or her community leadership in putting smart growth principles into action with the Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership. Nominations are now open.

This prestigious award honors an individual whose leadership has brought about a positive and lasting change in the way their community integrates growth with conservation. Widely considered the father of Act 250 and the...

Guerilla Gardening in U.S. Cities

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: National

Creating an appealing public space can sometimes be as easy as planting a few flowers, and cells of Guerilla Gardeners are popping up worldwide to get the job done. These enthusiastic green thumbs can be seen often late at night, sprucing up neglected vacant lots and littered public spaces with a variety of eye catching greenery. Read more.

Local Farms, South Hero Land Trust Embark on Energy Study

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

Thanks to a grant provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the South Hero Land Trust and five local farms will participate in feasibility studies to assess the types of renewable energy that are available on their farms.

Spring Hill Solutions, a Burlington-based renewable energy and carbon management consulting firm, has been hired to to conduct the study. For more information on this project, view the article from South Hero Land Trust's Winter 2010 newsletter.

Olympic Village Named World's Greenest Neighborhood

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: National

The site of this year's Winter Olympics, Southeast False Creek, in Vancouver, Canada, received the Platinum for World's Greenest Neighborhood from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The site was chosen based on some of the following criteria: close proximity to the downtown core, mixed residential and commercial use, affordable housing and construction of energy efficient buildings.

A former industrial site, the village housed 2,600 athletes and coaches during the games and will provide...

Deadline Extended for Art Gibb Award Nominations

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

The nomination deadline for our Annual Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership has been extended to March 26. To nominate someone who exemplifies the qualities of this great Vermont leader, download the nomination form or contact our Program Director, Suzanne Blanchard, for more information. Also, stay tuned to our e-newsletter for details on event date, location and sponsorship opportunities. We expect another great turn out for this year's event!

Smart Growth in Action: Fundamental Principles

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth

Principle 3. Enable choice in the mode of transportation available and insure that transportation options are integrated and consistent with land use objectives.

Many of us consider Vermont a land of choice yet when it comes to transportation, often our only choice is the automobile. This works well for most of us, but when oil prices rise or we can no longer drive, getting to work, the doctor's or visiting friends can be a challenge. Our lack of options also impacts our wallets. In 2003, the...

Member Spotlight

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Melinda Moulton, CEO, Main Street Landing, BurlingtonI support Smart Growth Vermont because it is important that we develop Vermont in a way that protects those things we all value and hold dear to our hearts. So many places around the country have been built up in a way that destroys the integrity and sense of place. Smart Growth Vermont works for us to protect the special qualities of our beautiful state and encourages development patterns that maintain our wonderful quality of life here in...

Community Spotlight: White River Junction

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: Community Spotlight

The glory days of the railroad mark the historic identity of White River Junction, a lively village located within Hartford's downtown district. Arts, the White River and a boom in new businesses make this village a worthwhile destination.

Home to more than thirty artists, studios and businesses, White River Junction has been undergoing an active revitalization program since the late 1980s. At the forefront of their efforts has been the reuse of many historic structures, such as an old freight...

Community Update

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Danville Focuses on Town CharacterThe Danville Planning Commission kicked off the first of three Community meetings on February 15. During the meeting, residents shared their thoughts on maintaining and enhancing rural character - strong local farms, open lands for recreation, scenic views - while still encouraging new development. The Planning Commission also asked participants to fill out a survey which will be available to complete online shortly. Danville residents are invited to the next...

Obama Announces Funding for Rail Improvements

Date: Friday, January 29, 2010
Posted in: National

Vermont is one of several states that will receive funding to improve rail lines in an effort to create jobs through Obama's Recovery Act. The Vermonter line is expected to get $50 million to upgrade track from St. Albans to Massachusetts. Another proposal to build rail from Burlington to New York City was rejected. Instead, the State will receive $500,000 to boost train service from Rutland to Albany, NY.

Thirty one states will benefit from the funding, which will lay the groundwork for high...

Volunteer Spotlight: Toni Marie Pignatelli

Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Toni Marie began volunteering with us in November, writing articles for the monthly e-newsletter and facilitating connections between the organization and area colleges. She is currently contributing to the Principles of Smart Growth Series.

Toni Marie volunteers for Smart Growth Vermont because she believes the organization plays an instrumental role in empowering communities to make informed decisions regarding future development patterns. She believes...

Hinesburg Organization Fills Transportation Access Needs

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

Hinesburg Rides, a program of the Hinesburg Community Resource Center, is all about connecting neighbors and addressing the transportation needs for the community. Launched in 2007, the program has three components that all focus on volunteers providing easily accessible and low cost transportation options for Hinesburg residents. For more information, visit their website, www.hinesburgrides.org.

Putney School Invests in Green Gym

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

The Putney School, long recognized for their commitment to environmental sustainability, has gone ultra green with the addition of an energy efficient, net zero field house. The facility includes an open court, yoga studio, bike repair and ski tuning shop and a climbing wall. Powered by a field of solar panels and heated by an air source heat pump, the building is expected to receive a LEED Platinum certification, the highest possible in energy efficiency ratings. Read more.

Community Spotlight: Middlebury

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Community Spotlight

Middlebury, in the heart of Addison County, is located on the Otter Creek and originated as a mill town to serve area grain farmers. Industry grew with the addition of other factories and a marble quarry. Today, many of these historic buildings have been converted to shops, businesses and homes, making the town an attractive place to live, work or visit. Community residents and The Better Middlebury Partnership have worked tirelessly to create redevelopment projects in the downtown district for...

Vermont Continues Investments into Downtowns, Village Centers

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

A recent federal report ranks Vermont as tenth in the nation for utilizing historic tax credits to rehabilitate historic buildings. The program has raised over $38 million in federal funds for numerous restorations in Vermont's downtowns and village centers. These projects leverage private funding, create jobs and return underused or vacant buildings back to the tax roll. Read more.

Smart Growth Vermont Welcomes New Board Member

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Smart Growth Vermont is pleased to introduce our newest Board member, Tracy Himmel Isham. Tracy joins the board with great enthusiasm and a background that will compliment the organization.

Tracy currently serves as co-chair of the Cornwall Planning Commission in Addison County. She has worked professionally at Middlebury College for the last five years as a career counselor, an international student advisor and director of DigitalBridges2.0, which works with VT-based entrepreneurial...

Call for Art Gibb Award Nominations

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Nomination forms are now available for the 2010 Arthur Gibb Award. This annual award is presented to a Vermont resident who embodies Arthur Gibb's leadership skills and ability to balance competing interests in crafting innovative solutions, and who has made a lasting contribution to moving smart growth policies forward in their community, region or across the state.

While the Gibb Award remains an annual event, our Smart Growth Awards for outstanding projects and plans are now given in...

Smart Growth in Action: Fundamental Principles Series

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth

Principle 2: Promote the health and vitality of Vermont communities through economic and residential growth that is targeted to compact, mixed use centers, including resort centers, at a scale convenient and accessible for pedestrians and appropriate for the community.

An important principle in smart growth planning and development is to include a mix of uses (residential, services, businesses and civic institutions) in close proximity. When implemented on-the-ground, this allows residents to...

Communities Update

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Danville

After passing new village zoning regulations in December, Danville is now considering how best to maintain its rural character. The Planning Commission will begin by inviting public comment on what rural character means to them and how best to maintain this character and support appropriate development. This continues the conversation that kicked off at the town's annual Autumn-on-the-Green. Danville residents will talk about the challenges to keeping strong local farms, open lands...

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