Smart Growth Vermont Announces Board Changes

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 John, Smart Growth Vermont is in a strong position to make even more progress in assisting communities with planning for and managing land use and development. I look forward to serving and to helping guide Smart Growth Vermont on the next stage of the journey."

Chuck Lief Joins the Board

Chuck Lief, principal of The Hartland Group in Colchester, the newest board member, said, “As a developer I understand the economic opportunities and long term stability which arise in communities that practice careful land use. Smart Growth Vermont has long been the leader in supporting good planning-both visionary and practical. It emphasizes the essential need to balance growth and conservation as we improve the economy and preserve our heritage.” For a complete bio of all our other Board members, visit About Us.

Register Early for Art Gibb Awards

Knights Island in North Hero was one of the earliest land preservation projects completed by the VHCB under Gus’ leadership.

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 sponsorship opportunities available.

The committee chose Gus for this prestigious award based on his outstanding track record of creating affordable housing in Vermont and protecting historic landmarks and open land.

Community Update

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 of that quilt is Vermont’s municipal planning grant program (MPG).

Burke’s volunteer planners achieved Village Center designation for two villages in the town in the last round of grant funds from the MPG program. Now the town seeks to determine how best to encourage new businesses and where they should be located, protect natural resources, update its town plan, and potentially create a state-designated Vermont Neighborhood. Work has already started with Smart Growth Vermont analyzing the results of a Town Meeting Day survey developed by the Selectboard.

The current project with Bristol will help them revise their Town Plan and update their zoning districts and standards to align with their goals and objectives in this new Plan. A key piece of this new project is extensive public outreach including a project website, public meetings, and local news publications.

For more information about Municipal Planning Grants, please go to the MPG Program section of the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs website.

For more information about all our partner communities, please visit the Community Planning Partnership section of our website.

Member Spotlight

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.

Check out  Upcoming Events on our website! You'll find information about conferences, lectures and presentations on a wide variety of topics.

Partnership Forms to Fight Hunger

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.

Shelburne Farms and Green Mountain Power Team to Produce Solar Power

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.

Plan for Circ Highway Moves Forward - Comments Needed

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 http://www.circeis.org.

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

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 benefits of compact, in-town development.  Read more.

Over-developed in New Jersey

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.