News
New York State Implements Smart Growth Criteria
Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Posted in: National, Smart Growth
Governor David Paterson recently signed legislation requiring state agencies to meet 10 statutory criteria for smart growth before approving, financing or undertaking infrastructure projects. The State Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy also requires agencies to submit smart growth impact statements and to appoint advisory committees, all measures that aim to encourage sustainable growth and environmental quality. Read more.
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Get Involved. Help Us Create Complete Streets!
Date: Friday, September 3, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth, Transportation
Want to make sure you have a sidewalk to walk your kids to school or a bike path to get to work? On September 20-24, local volunteers will team up with AARP Vermont and Smart Growth Vermont to survey crosswalks and intersections in Burlington, St. Johnsbury, Rutland, and Brattleboro to shed light on the dangers pedestrians face as they walk on their streets and sidewalks. Volunteers will evaluate how these roads address walkers’ needs, such as whether there are adequate traffic signals,...
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Survey Finds Developers Shifting to Mixed-Use, Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhoods
Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010
Posted in: Housing, National, Smart Growth
A recent business survey conducted by the Strategic Alliance, a group of real estate-related companies, has revealed that sixty percent of builders and developers in the Tri-State and Mid-Atlantic regions are shifting away from the traditional, large home designs, to that of a more sustainable model of mixed-use and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods. According to the survey data, builders are realizing that not everyone wants a single-family detached home. Read more.
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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...
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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...
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Smart Growth in Action: Fundamental Principles
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Posted in: Smart Growth
Principle 9: Balance growth with the availability of economic and efficient public utilities and services and through the investment of public funds consistent with these principles.
Think of community development like gardening. In order for the hose or the sprinkler to reach every bed, a gardener plots his or her garden in a neat, compact grid. This way, one water source can reach the whole garden all at once, and the gardener need not move too much to weed and maintain the garden. When the...
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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...
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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...
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