Three of the communities participating in our Community Planning Partnership have made exciting progress over the last month.

Cornwall
On a 4-0 vote, the Cornwall Selectboard recently approved revisions to their zoning that will encourage housing that reflects the scale and pattern of development in the village. "Smart Growth Vermont helped to focus on different options for the Village and innovative ways to manage future development," said Bruce Byers, Planning Commission Chair.

Reading
Working with our project partner VNRC, Smart Growth Vermont recently submitted a technical memorandum to the Reading Planning Commission summarizing how well the current Town Plan and zoning bylaws address the issues related to forest fragmentation. On March 3rd, we will meet with the Planning Commission to review our findings and discuss options for strengthening the Plan and by-laws.

Waitsfield
Working with the Town of Waitsfield's consultant Brandy Saxton of PlaceSense, we have assisted in submitting a preliminary application for growth center designation to the State Planning and Coordination Group (PCG). Representatives from the Town will be meeting with with the PCG on Feb 26th to discuss the application. The Town faces a key vote on March 4th to bond for a water and wastewater system.

Does your community need help with land use planning? Call us at (802) 864-6310 or visit our website to check out our new Community Planning Toolbox.

Show Your Support for Vermont's Downtown Tax Credit Program

Please sign our letter asking State leaders to increase tax incentives that support the redevelopment of older and historic downtown properties. During the legislative session, Smart Growth Vermont and other stakeholders will encourage legislators to make these incentives more widely available to communities throughout Vermont. Please show your support by signing the letter now.

Join Us and Receive a Free Travel Mug!

Join Smart Growth Vermont as a member and receive a free travel mug! Made in the U.S. and purchased from a Vermont company, our travel mugs are made from of 100% recycled plastic.

Be sure to check out the Upcoming Events page on our new website! You'll find information about conferences, lectures and presentations on a wide variety of topics. For example, Vermont League of Cities and Towns will host a workshop on February 26, in Montpelier, in preparation of Town Meeting Day. Visit www.VLCT.org for more information.

Smart Growth in Action: Willard Mill

Housing Vermont and the Champlain Housing Trust have redeveloped the old Willard Mill, an industrial building located in St. Albans. The building has been converted to 27 units of housing and is 100% occupied. With the exception of three units, which are rented at market rate, the remaining 24 units are affordable housing.

Formerly home to the Leader Evaporator facility, a manufacturer of equipment for the production of maple syrup, Willard Mill is located in the downtown district of St. Albans. The close proximity to downtown retailers makes it easier for residents to walk and have access to the services they need. The site's redevelopment is an important step in enhancing the economic vitality of St. Albans.

Community Spotlight: Barre

City Hall Park in Barre, VT

Originally named Wildersburg, and known as the granite center of the world, the City of Barr e is located in central Vermont. A lively community year-round, Barre is host to several annual festivals, including the Northeast Fiddler's Association Contest and Festival in September, Scary Barre, a harvest festival in October, and the summertime Farmer's Market and Concert Series. The city is also home to the Barre Opera House, which was constructed in 1899 after the original opera house burned down.

In recent years, Barre has become a popular destination for young families who are looking to settle down. Rentals are available at all levels and, if you're in the market to buy, prices are still reasonable. A study was conducted in 2004 to better understand why people are buying housing in Barre, and 50 to 75% of the respondents indicated that shopping convenience, recreational opportunities and access to local services all played a role in deciding to move to the area.

Barre has also seen a resurgence in local businesses. In 2007, at least six new businesses opened in downtown Barre, most of which were opened by existing residents in their thirties. One of those businesses, LACE (Local Agricultural Community Exchange), is not only a venue for purchasing fresh, Vermont-made farm products, but a space where the community can gather to take part in workshops, discussion groups and lectures.

Barre has been successful in creating a vibrant downtown, and revitalization efforts continue to enhance the community's potential. The Main Street Reconstruction Project, a plan in the works for numerous years, is moving forward with infrastructure upgrades, which will add new streetscapes to the downtown.

City Hall Park, another project underway, will restore the historic gazebo with additional design plans to include a performance area. The park is in the center of the City, across from the library, and hosts the Summer Concert Series and the Farmer's Market.

The community is also conducting an inventory and assessment of a city-owned seventy-acre parcel known as the Barre City cow pasture. As the community explores how to revitalize its downtown, it hopes to establish this parcel as a recreation area, very close to the downtown. Learn more about Barre by visiting the City's website.

Bennington to Continue Streetscape Project

The Vermont Department of Transportation has awarded the Town of Bennington with a grant for $150,000 to be used for long-term streetscape enhancements. Bennington will continue to improve their sidewalks and increase lighting in specific areas, including lower Pleasant Street, School Street and Main Street. An earlier phase of the streetscape project was completed on sections of Main and South Streets. Community Development officials hope that this initiative will attract more visitors to their downtown district for shopping, eating and perhaps overnight stays.

Colchester Residents Discuss Conservation

The Colchester Land Trust held a meeting for area residents to discuss how land could be preserved in the future in and around Colchester. Residents had an opportunity to learn how conservation easements work, both through the local Colchester Land Trust and the Vermont Land Trust. The community also weighed in on what projects they'd like to see in the area, including an extended bike trail, protection of the Lake Champlain shoreline and agricultural land, and the creation of a recreational space for children. Most agreed that discussions should continue through open meetings with the land trusts and local boards and commissions. You can read more of this story at the Burlington Free Press.

Starbucks Withdraws Plans for Middlebury Store

Starbucks recently halted plans for the construction of a new store off Route 7 in Middlebury. The company has suffered a financial downturn and will now shift its focus on improving customer service and quality of products at existing coffee shops. Read more.

It's the Vehicle Miles Traveled

Now that Congress has passed legislation to increase the average fuel efficiency of new vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, Americans must focus on the next challenge that will significantly reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions: reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT). In his "Eyes on the Road" column, Wall Street Journal writer Joseph B. White addresses the challenge of driving less.

Odd Maps Tell Many Stories

As one of the oldest forms of non-verbal communication, maps were traditionally used to convey geographic or spatial information. New technology now enables anyone to create and modify maps for personal and professional use. People also use maps to convey a "snapshot" of an idea or to map a data set. For a list of interesting maps, visit the 21 Strange Maps Blog. Visit the website of National Public Radio's program This American Life to hear a show about mapping the world according to sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste.

Websites Offer New Walking and Biking Resources

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center has added new resources to their websites about pedestrian and bicycle safety. The two sites - www.bicyclinginfo.org and www.walkinginfo.org now feature resources, such as sample pedestrian and bicycle plans from across the country, and a centralized, Web-based Library of pedestrian and bicycling-related materials, case studies and research for practitioners.

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E-News February 2008

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