The Town of Danville has selected Smart Growth Vermont to assist the town with evaluating and updating its bylaws so as to encourage the construction of new homes and businesses within and around Danville Village. The project is intended to complement the planned reconfiguration of Route 2 where it passes through the village, making it easier for businesses and homeowners to take advantage of the more pedestrian-friendly environment and enhanced village character that will be the result of the Route 2 work. Zoning standards in many of Vermont’s towns set minimum lot sizes and setbacks that are impossible to comply with in a traditional village center, where buildings typically sit close to each other and close to the road. Such standards make it difficult or impossible for owners of small or irregularly shaped village parcels to develop them, and forces owners of larger parcels to build in ways that are more appropriate for the rural countryside than for the middle of a village. Smart Growth Vermont will help Danville identify a range of options for making its zoning bylaws more “village friendly” and then develop revised bylaw language for the options that the town selects.

New Map Features Designated Downtowns and Village Centers

Smart Growth Vermont has a history of advocating for the health of downtowns and village centers. From our state policy work to highlighting communities in our e-newsletter, we believe healthy downtown and village centers are necessary if the landscape we love is to continue in the future. Our latest contribution is the creation of an online map which features all of the designated downtowns and village centers, links to their downtown associations and any community spotlights featured in past e-newsletters. The goal of the map is to promote our community centers, as well as the the Downtown Program and to provide information on the activities and accomplishments of these communities. We hope you find this resource useful, and be sure to check out our Community Spotlights for more in-depth information on some of Vermont's lively downtowns.

Smart Growth Vermont Provides Training in Chester

By invitation of the Chester Planning Commission, Smart Growth Vermont gave a presentation on July 7 to interested Planning Commissioners, Select Board members and local residents. The presentation focused on the smart growth options and tools available to the town's residents as they consider where, what and how they want to enhance their community's character and vitality in the years to come. The presentation was the first in a series of events put on by the town in preparation for an update to their town plan.

"Trainings are a great way for communities to learn more about a specific conservation and growth-related issue," said Noelle MacKay, Smart Growth Vermont's Executive Director. "We tailor presentations to the specific needs and interests of a community, with the goal of giving residents the tools they need to create the kind of future they want for their town."

Anyone interested in arranging a training for their town can contact Jason Van Driesche, Smart Growth Vermont's program director, at jason@smartgrowthvermont.org or at 864-6310.

Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events page on our website! You'll find information about conferences, lectures and presentations on a wide variety of topics.

Smart Growth in Action: Agriculture in the Classroom

School Children in Winooski participate in the Farm to School Program.

Strengthening policies that protect agricultural and forestry lands is an important component of smart growth. Vermont's historic economy, culture and the health of its citizens, rely on diverse and stable farms.

Vermont Agriculture in the Classroom, established by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, assists in building networks between schools and farms. Their goals are to strengthen farms and food production while educating young Vermonters on the value of agriculture, food systems, natural resource management, and nutrition. Understanding and experiencing Vermont's unique character strengthens children's connection with their community.

The 2007 Act 91 (Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Bill) offers $85,000 to assist Vermont schools in creating connections with local farms. The purpose of the grant money is to expand the market for Vermont farms and to provide fresh and nutritious food for students. Schools can apply for grants to either plan or implement a curriculum. They can qualify for an implementation grant once they have established a committee composed of individuals experienced in community development.

Hartland Elementary School has been successful at exercising an agricultural curriculum. They emphasize the significance of dairy farming and other historical trades in Vermont.

The Development Specialist for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Koi Boynton, would also like to establish programs and assistance for secondary schools. She envisions these programs to be centered around agricultural careers and technical education to inspire students to be a part of Vermont's historic economy. “Once you experiment with local food systems, you find that the quality is better. Food systems education establishes community ties and connects people with their place.”

To learn more about Vermont Agriculture in the Classroom and to find out how your school can be a part of this initiative, visit http://www.vt-aitc.org/.

Community Spotlight: Richford

Tucked away on the Northern edge of the State is Richford, Vermont. Though it is home to only 2,200 residents, this community has a lot to offer. From great schools to abundant recreational opportunities to excellent air quality, Richford is a real gem.

Residents enjoy Richford's rural character, and visitors appreciate being close to a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, skiing and fishing. Basic necessities are available within the Village, but major employers are mostly in larger towns.

Agriculture is essential to the economy in Richford. Logging operations, dairy, vegetable, and perennial farms, and maple sugar producers employ and support many area families. Residents and visitors can shop at the local farmers' market for a taste of the products from the region.

The Village of Richford offers a variety of services, including antique shops, a golf course, and daycare facilities, to name just a few. The Richford Economic Advancement Corporation and Borderlands Economic Development Corporation are local groups that work together to strengthen Richford's economy by building on its strengths as a rural agricultural community.

The Main Street Mill, which originally housed a furniture factory, was recently restored. Today, the building has been restored into a four-story mixed use facility that includes Mac's Grocery Store, the Richford Health Center, NOTCH Pharmacy, and twelve affordable apartments. The fourth floor remains available for commercial rentals. This project was honored at Smart Growth Vermont's Smart Growth Awards in September 2007.

Champlain Housing Trust Wins Prestigious Global Award

The Champlain Housing Trust, formerly the Burlington Community Land Trust, was recently chosen to receive a World Habitat Award. The award is in recognition of Champlain Housing Trust's pioneering role over the last quarter-century in creating perpetually affordable housing using a land trust model.

This is a great honor for community land trusts all over Vermont that have adopted this model, making Vermont a national leader in innovative approaches to ensuring that everyone can afford a decent place to live. Only two awards are given globally each year, one in the northern and one in the southern hemisphere.

In Fighting Oil Dependency, Vermont Ranks Low Among New England States

Vermont is green in many ways, but reducing its dependence on petroleum isn't one of them. According to a recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, Vermont ranked 16th out the the 50 states, with other northeastern states -- New York and Connecticut, for example -- scoring much higher.

The report rated how vigorously and effectively states were promoting solutions such as efficiency standards, idling restrictions, public transportation, and growth management, among others. Vermont faces significant challenges in that it is inherently more difficult to make mass transit work in sparsely populated rural states. This report makes it clear just how important it is, then, for Vermont to reduce demand for travel in the first place by growing in ways that are consistent with its traditional pattern of compact cities and villages surrounded by working rural lands.

Sustainable Agriculture Becoming a Notable Career Option

As the demand for local, organic produce and value-added products grows across the country, many young people are looking into careers in sustainable agriculture. The range of career options within the field has increased in recent years, and schools across the country are beginning to offer related courses. And, for those that would prefer hands-on training, there are many ways to learn the age old trade. Read more.

San Francisco Named Most Walkable City, According to Walkscore.com

Walkscore.com, a new website that ranks the walkability of neighborhoods in forty of the U.S.'s largest cities, has named San Francisco as the most walkable. Knob Hill, Chinatown, the Mission and the Haight-Ashbury district are all popular tourist attractions that are easily accessible by foot. Visit the site and type in your address to see how walkable your neighborhood is.

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E-News August 2008

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