Home > News

News

Form Based Planning and Regulation For Vermont Municipalities

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Posted in: Planning, Smart Growth

The ACCD Community Planning and Revitalization Division is pleased to sponsor a professional workshop, featuring Geoff Farrell, Chair of the Form Based Code Institute, Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 8:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Richmond Town Library Community Room, in Richmond. This hands-on workshop based on the ABC's of Form-Based Codes: Special One-Day Introduction geared towards professional planners, architects, landscape architects, land use lawyers, civil engineers and others. Lunch...

Transforming and Preserving Vermont's Cities and Towns With Form Based Planning

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Posted in: Announcements, Planning, Smart Growth

The ACCD Community Planning and Revitalization Division will sponsor a presentation on Form Based Planning, which will be held Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 7-9:00 p.m. This is a free public presentation and facilitated discussion introducing form-based planning and regulation, designed for municipal planning commissioners, planning professionals, selectboard members, students and others with an interest in community planning and design. The event will take place in the Sugar...

2010 Renewable Energy Conference & Expo

Date: Friday, August 13, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) will hold it's 9th Annual Conference at the Sheraton Hotel, in Burlington, September 30 - October 1. This year's Conference will feature workshops, exhibits and Keynote Speaker, Soren Hermansen, Director of Samso Energy Academy, in Denmark. For more information, or to register, visit, www.REVermont.org.

2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference

Date: Friday, August 13, 2010
Posted in: Housing

Vermont Housing Finance Agency's annual Housing Conference, the largest housing event in the State, will take place Thursday, November 18, at the Hitlon Hotel, in Burlington. Details and online registration are available on VHFA's website.

National Conference on Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation

Date: Friday, August 13, 2010
Posted in: Transportation

The Transportation Research Board will present it's 19th National Conference in Burlington, October 24-27, at the Sheraton Hotel. The conference includes information on planning and design, policy, funding and finance and rural transportation in today's operating environment; technology; and special issues in rural transportation. The Conference will also feature thirty sessions, special events and tours. For more information, visit Transportation Research Board's website.

Over-developed in New Jersey

Date: Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Posted in: National

During 2002 to 2007, land development accelerated throughout the Garden State at a rate of 5.3 percent, even though the population rate increased by only 1.1 percent. As this trend persists, New Jersey has replaced forest land with buildings, parking lots and lawns. Read more about New Jersey's growing development pressures and what some studies have shown for the state's future.

Community Update

Date: Monday, August 2, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Planning and implementing a community’s vision for a sustainable, healthy future is largely a volunteer affair in many of Vermont’s smaller communities. Projects with two longstanding community partners, Burke and Bristol, highlight the critical nature of the state’s municipal planning grant program. Assistance and funding from private non-profits such as Smart Growth Vermont is just one piece of the patchwork communities must quilt together to get such work done. Another essential piece...

Smart Growth Vermont Announces Board Changes

Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Robin Scheu, Executive Director of the Addison County Economic Development Corporation in Middlebury, is our new board Chair. John Ewing will continue as an active member of the board with his new title of Founder. "After 12 years as Chair I am delighted to transfer the office to Robin who has a long history of non-profit leadership,” said John.

“John was the visionary for this organization," said Robin, "and it's had a great impact across Vermont under his leadership. Thanks in large part to...

Plan for Circ Highway Moves Forward - Comments Needed

Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Posted in: Transportation, Vermont

In July, transportation agencies completed the Final Environmental Impact statement for a boulevard roadway along the Circ right of way through Williston. Public Comments are due by August 27. More information on the project and sample comments from the Vermont Smart Growth Collaborative are available on their site. You can submit comments online at www.circeis.org.

Partnership Forms to Fight Hunger

Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

Thanks in part to the Vermont Land Trust and one innovative farmer, the Vermont Foodbank, a hunger-relief organization, recently completed the purchase of the 20 acre Kingsbury Farm in the Mad River Valley, with the goal of providing fresh, local and nutritious food to Vermonters in need. This summer alone, Kingsbury Farm has yielded over $30,000 worth of produce to support Vermonters in need. Read more.

Mixed Use Developments Outperform Big Box Stores in Property Tax Revenue Per Acre

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Posted in: National

According to a recent analysis of property tax revenue in Sarasota, Florida, big box developments generate only about $150 to $200 more per acre than single family housing developments, and they rank significantly lower than mixed use projects. In fact, a mixed-use development in Sarasota's downtown that sits on less than an acre generates $800,000 in tax per acre -- ten times more than either a single family suburban house or big box store. This analysis adds to the mounting evidence of the...

Shelburne Farms and Green Mountain Power Team to Produce Solar Power

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

Green Mountain Power is teaming up with Shelburne Farms to install 770 solar panels in a field on the farm that has been designated as a "solar orchard." The effort combines goals that were set by both organizations to increase the use of renewable energy in Vermont. Read more.

Register Early for Art Gibb Awards

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

This year’s Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership promises to be a big event. We will honor the 2010 recipient, Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, at a reception and award presentation on Wednesday, September 15 at the T.W. Wood Gallery in Montpelier. Thanks to the support of many corporate and individual sponsors, we were able to keep our registration price at $35 again this year. Register early, as our capacity is limited. There are still a few...

Member Spotlight

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Rosanne Greco, South Burlington

I support Smart Growth Vermont because they know the immeasurable value of the natural world, and they work to preserve these precious resources. Smart Growth Vermont gives a voice to many of us who feel powerless to stop the destruction of Vermont’s environment because of wasteful practices and reckless development.

Community Spotlight: Saint Albans

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Posted in: Community Spotlight

Incorporated as a village in 1896 and later as a city in 1902, Saint Albans has long been recognized for its importance as a terminus for the Vermont and Canadian railroads. Today, it continues to function as a commercial hub throughout Franklin County and Northwest Vermont, balancing its growth efforts with sustainable city planning strategies.Saint Albans historic downtown is the focus of community life and recently became the sixth Vermont community to gain approval as a state-designated...

Smart Growth in Action: Fundamental Principles

Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth

Principle 8: Support a diversity of viable business enterprises in downtowns and villages, including locally-owned businesses, and a diversity of agricultural and forestry enterprises in the countryside.

An abundance of diverse and viable local businesses is an important part of any community. Local businesses create jobs, bring in tax revenue, share resources, and showcase the skills and talents of local people. Studies done in cities across the United States show that local economies are...

Community Spotlight: Jericho

Date: Friday, July 9, 2010
Posted in: Community Spotlight

Snowflakes and Green Mountain vistas make the Town of Jericho an appealing place to live and visit. A committed community, Jericho residents have made big strides to preserve the historic and scenic beauty of the surrounding area. In turn, the rural character remains intact, despite being part of the most populated county in the State.Three village centers make up the small community of Jericho. Jericho Corners, on Route 15, is home to the Old Red Mill, a historic site that presently functions...

Essex Junction Welcomes New Farmers Market

Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Posted in: Vermont

On June 18 Essex Junction opened the Five Corners Market thanks to the efforts of a 15 person volunteer steering committee and a grant from the Northern Organic Farmer’s Association. The market will feature cooking demonstrations and live music along with local produce. The market is part of the Railroad Avenue Revitalization Project and will run Fridays from 3:30-7:30 pm until October 29. Read more.

Smart Growth in Action: Fundamental Principles

Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth

Provide for housing that meets the needs of a diversity of social and income groups in each Vermont community, but especially in communities that are most rapidly growing.

Economic and social values are shifting in our country and Vermont is no exception. As we focus more on climate change and the need to secure cleaner, more efficient energy sources, we also have to look at the types of housing that are available to Vermonters today. Many factors, including income, age and a diversity in...

New Tools in the Toolbox

Date: Friday, July 2, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth Vermont

Many of the communities we work with are concerned with how best to enhance and protect their rural character. When we dig a little deeper, “rural character” can mean very different things to different people – the smell of fresh cut hay, managed forests, frequent wildlife sightings, open meadows, stone walls. Conservation Developments, along with a case study from Charlotte, and Large Lot Zoning are two of our newest tools and case studies in our Community Planning Toolbox. Check out these...

Displaying results 1 to 20 out of 28