Is your community facing growth pressures and wrestling with difficult decisions about how land is developed or conserved? Smart Growth Vermont has launched our new, online Community Planning Toolbox to help you understand the issues, weigh your options and take action.

The Toolbox features a variety of land use tools and resources that Vermont communities have used to encourage neighborhood development, revitalize village centers and protect local farms and forests. “So many Vermonters agree on what they want their community to look like in 20 years,” says Noelle MacKay, Executive Director of Smart Growth Vermont. “They just need the zoning, bylaws or plans to make it happen.” Visit our website to learn more about this new resource!

Smart Growth Vermont Seeks New Program Director

We are sad to announce that Program Director, Brian Shupe will be leaving Smart Growth Vermont to work on land use and energy issues with the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC). Over the past three years, he has played a key role in the development of Smart Growth Vermont’s Community Planning Partnership. We wish Brian the best and look forward to working with him at VNRC on critical land issues facing Vermont communities.

We are now looking for a talented individual to assume the Program Director position. If you are interested in applying for this position, please view the job description on our website. The deadline for applications is February 6th.

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.

Smart Growth Vermont Begins Work in Legislature

As the legislative sessions begins, Smart Growth Vermont is already hard at work on a number of critical land use issues. One of the most important is increasing the tax credits available for redeveloping and upgrading building facades and making code improvements in historic community centers. Please sign on to our letter in support of an increase in the tax credits to indicate the strong public support for this cost-effective program that provides many benefits for Vermont's downtowns. We are also working on initiatives to address the affordable housing shortage and evaluate the "Current Use" program. Visit our State Policy Page to learn more about these issues. To sign up for our periodic Legislative Alerts, please e-mail Serena.

Cornwall Planning Commission Approves Zoning Changes

The Cornwall Planning Commission has approved changes to its zoning that maintain the village’s historic character, while at the same time encouraging new housing opportunities that are consistent with the existing scale and design. Smart Growth Vermont helped the commission reached out to area landowners, identified appropriate boundaries for the Village District, and prepared standards to encourage new housing that reflects a village scale and pattern of development. The changes will be reviewed for approval by the select board in January.

Williston Growth Center Challenged

The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) recently filed a notice of appeal with the state Supreme Court to challenge the boundaries of Williston's proposed growth center. The Town applied to designate a specified area as a growth center under the 2006 growth centers law that provides tax incentives for development in these areas.

In October, the state's Expanded Downtown Board approved Williston's growth center application, but added the area near the big box stores in the designated area. Following this approval, Smart Growth Vermont, the Preservation Trust of Vermont and VNRC expressed concerns that this expansion violated the intent of the law.

Support Smart Growth Vermont Through an In-Kind Donation

Smart Growth Vermont’s office is in need of some furniture upgrades. If you have any of the following items and you’d like to support our work, we are gladly accepting one or more of the following: copier stand, shelves, bookcases, storage cabinet, and a small office table. In-kind donations are always greatly appreciated and we are happy to help coordinate the pick up of any item you are willing to contribute. Please contact Serena at 802-864-6310 or by email at serena@smartgrowthvermont.org.

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, Lorman Education Services is offering a seminar on the legal and practical issues of conservation easements on January 30, in South Burlington.

Smart Growth in Action: Hinesburg Opens Park & Ride

Hinesburg's new Park & Ride is located behind Town Hall.

Increasing concern about global warming has people looking for opportunities, such as carpooling, to reduce their carbon emissions. The Town of Hinesburg is doing its part by offering another transportation option within walking distance to the village for its residents - a park & ride lot directly behind the town hall on Route 116. In 2006, The Town received a construction grant from the Vermont Department of Transportation for the park & ride that has 19 parking spaces, including one that is handicapped accessible. The site was chosen because the lot is owned by the Town and had minimal development costs. The parking area is also equipped with solar lighting and signs directing motorists from Route 116.

Community Spotlight: Newport City

Newport City, located in the northeastern part of the state, is known as a gateway between Canada and New England. Lake Memphremagog serves as a recreational asset and includes a Fish and Willdife Refuge, which draws hundreds of species of birds and animals. The City of Newport, with a history as a thriving rail town, has since developed an economic base around the tourism industry. Today, Lake Memphremagog and Jay Peak draw tourists to the area because of the area's remarkable rural and scenic beauty.

With 5,207 residents, Newport is the most populous municipality in Orleans County. While small in size, Newport City and neighboring Derby, make up one of only two urban centers throughout the Northeast Kingdom. Jobs in the region are widely distributed among the following sectors: manufacturing, health service, education and government.

The city recently became the 23rd community to receive “Downtown Designation” status from the state. This accomplishment accompanies a grant for revitalization efforts, which are already underway. “The Newport City Renaissance Project is enjoying the momentum of progress because of the participation of over 40 community members who are active in the committees that drive the project,” says Patricia Sears, Project Executive.

The revitalization of Newport City will be focused primarily on Main Street, but will also include some re-construction of the waterfront area. The City has hired architects to conduct a community charette which will address issues of parking, traffic, and access to the airport. The charette will focus on smart growth practices for the future development of Newport City, as one of the city’s goals is to become "clean and green".

As the city's population increases, people active in the revitalization efforts understand the importance of planning for future growth while preserving the open space and rural landscape that draws so many visitors.

Historic Buildings Receive Funding for Restoration

Governor Douglas recently announced the release of $180,000 in grant funding to be used for the restoration of historic buildings throughout the state. The program, administered through the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, will provide matching grants of up to $15,000 to owners for improvements of their historic buildings. Among the criteria for receiving a grant, which will be reviewed by volunteers appointed by Governor Douglas, is that the building is listed or eligible for listing on the National Register for Historic Places. Requests will be prioritized based on those buildings in most need of repair. More information about the program, along with information about projects that have already received funding, can be found at www.vermont.gov.

Building A Better Brattleboro Hopes to Continue Its Work

Brattleboro Selectboard officials recently recommended that $80,000 of collected revenues from the Downtown Improvement District, should be allocated to Building A Better Brattleboro. The money would be used to continue its work on the River Garden, including making repairs to the roof. The organization would like the space to one day serve as a Waypoint Interpretive Center. Read more of the article at the Brattleboro Reformer website.

Smart Growth America Welcomes New President

Geoffrey Anderson, former head of the Smart Growth Program of the Environmental Protection Agency, has recently been appointed as President and CEO of Smart Growth America. Anderson will replace Don Chen, who has taken a new position with the Ford Foundation. He is due to begin his new position on January 21. Read more.

Mayors Convene in Seattle to Discuss Climate Protection

The nation's mayors discussed the need for greener, more walkable cities at a recent US Conference of Mayors, in Seattle, WA, where the focus was on climate protection. Many agreed that the federal government isn't taking enough action against climate change, and understand the need to take action in their own cities. According to Mayor Nickels, Seattle has already begun to reduce greenhouse gases by promoting the consumption of locally produced food, distributing 300,000 high efficiency shower heads, and encouraging the use of non-motorized grass mowers. More of this story can be found at Smart Growth Online.

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E-News January 2008

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Smart Growth Vermont Launches New Online Planning Toolbox