New Tools in the Toolbox

Conservation subdivision adjacent to the Stearns Family Farm along Spear Street in Charlotte.

Many of the communities we work with are concerned with how best to enhance and protect their rural character. When we dig a little deeper, “rural character” can mean very different things to different people – the smell of fresh cut hay, managed forests, frequent wildlife sightings, open meadows, stone walls. Conservation Developments, along with a case study from Charlotte, and Large Lot Zoning are two of our newest tools and case studies in our Community Planning Toolbox. Check out these selections and many others in this on-line toolbox designed to help guide and inform local planners as they determine the best land use planning tools to implement in their community. Have a suggestion you’d like to share or a story about how the Toolbox has helped in your town’s planning efforts- send us an e-mail and let us know.

---

Gus Seelig to Receive Gibb Award

Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB), will be this year’s recipient of the prestigious Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership.

“It takes somebody with vision to go from an idea to the comprehensive program which VHCB is today,” said Darby Bradley of the Vermont Land Trust. “Gus also had the vision and creativity to take advantage of opportunities that came along which would leverage the State's dollars for housing or conservation, or would take on some related program that would further VHCB's overall objective.”

The Gibb Award honors the lifetime work of Arthur Gibb, often referred to as the “Father of Act 250.” Each winner must demonstrate a series of characteristics and achievements in addition to leadership: vision, commitment to public service, creativity, the ability to balance competing interests, integrity and humility.

“He [Gus] believes strongly that rising waters gather all boats so if his partners get recognition so will everyone else,” said Chris Hart of the Brattleboro Housing Authority. “This recognition is then ‘shared’ with all of us engaged in the goals and work of VHCB and groups such as Smart Growth Vermont.”

Join us to celebrate Gus’ achievements at our Arthur Gibb Award Ceremony Wednesday, September 15 at the T.W. Wood Art Gallery in Montpelier. Tickets are $35 and there are still sponsorships available. Register online.

---

2010 Boot Camp A Success

Ohana Camp on Lake Fairlee was once again the setting for a successful summer retreat put on by the Vermont Law School's Land Use Institute for Planning Commissioners and Development Review Board members.

Over twenty people came to learn about tools to protect land use, ethics, collaborative decision making and moving forward after the JAM Golf decision. Smart Growth Vermont sponsored two participants and participated in a panel on “Getting Smart Growth to Happen.”

Thanks to key sponsors Bob Miller, R.E.M. Development, and the Center for Rural Studies, and many others for making this weekend possible. As one participant said, “It was a great experience…rejuvenating, informative and fun.”

---

Volunteer Spotlight: Loren Scott

Loren began volunteering with Smart Growth Vermont in April and has since created surveys to help us acquire data concerning general public knowledge of the Smart Growth Principles as well as data about our E-newsletter. He's also helping us set up and maintain our social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and our blog.

Loren first heard about Smart Growth Vermont when Mary and Suzanne presented to his Sustainable Community Development class. The presentation sparked his interest in our work, especially with local communities.

Loren will be a Junior this fall at the University of Vermont, where he is a Community and International Development major. When he graduates, he hopes to join the Peace Corps and work to help communities thrive. He grew up in Iowa but has lived with his family in Huntington for the past two years. Other than working at Smart Growth Vermont and going to school, Loren enjoys reading, drinking coffee and listening to many different varieties of music.

Thanks to Loren and all of our volunteers for offering a variety of talent, skills and commitment to Smart Growth Vermont. It is critical to the work we do.

---

Much Ado About Shakespeare

What could be better than to enjoy one of the bard’s funniest plays, “Much Ado About Nothing,” outside at Knight Point State Park in North Hero? Vermont Shakespeare Company is returning for their fourth season of Vermont-style Shakespeare in the park August 12 through 15 for five performances. The troupe is run by a couple with Vermont roots and includes a mix of professional New York actors with assistance from several local talents. For more information, visit, www.vermontshakespeare.org.

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

Newport City First in Vermont to Incorporate Form-Based Code

This past Tuesday, the Newport City Planning Commission approved a manual of form-based code for downtown Newport City thanks to the efforts of citizen volunteers. By incorporating form-based code, the city hopes to reap economic benefits including reduced permit fees, streamlined permit process, developer friendly process, and enhanced value of renovated historic buildings by including allowance of mixed use in those buildings.

“With form-based code in place developers, including Bill Stenger and Tony Pomerleau and other interested parties, will be eager to get their projects started in downtown Newport. And because success breeds success, these new developments will interest more investors to invest in downtown Newport City,” said Patricia Sears, Executive Director of the Newport City Renaissance Corporation. You can view the form-based code plan on Newport City's website.

---

Knight News Challenge Honors Front Porch Forum

Burlington-based Front Porch Forum (FPF), an online community forum that connects neighbors and neighborhoods, has just received a $220,000 grant from the Knight News Challenge. The grant award will enable FPF to expand services from 25 to 250 Vermont towns. Read more.

---

Essex Junction Welcomes New Farmers Market

Photo credit: Diane Clemons

On June 18 Essex Junction opened the Five Corners Market thanks to the efforts of a 15 person volunteer steering committee and a grant from the Northern Organic Farmer’s Association. The market will feature cooking demonstrations and live music along with local produce. The market is part of the Railroad Avenue Revitalization Project and will run Fridays from 3:30-7:30 pm until October 29. Read more.

---

Respond Locally to Gulf Oil Spill

Photo courtesy of Oilism.com

Many Vermonters are feeling helpless about the tragic oil spill in the Gulf, and left wondering how to help. One way is to respond locally by reducing your fossil fuel consumption through an online campaign initiative, "My Gulf Action." The aim is to get enough collective oil reduction to at least match the amount of oil spilled into the Gulf. The overall goal of "My Gulf Action" is to create a national response to the overall problem of fossil fuel dependency as well as initiate positive social change. Learn more about how to become a part of the solution right here in Vermont!

---

USGS Releases Detailed Map of Land-Cover in US

The US Geological survey recently released a map detailing land-cover throughout the US. Available online, the map highlights vegetative associations including forest and woodland systems, grasslands and wetlands, as well as areas impacted by human land use and those that have been recently disturbed or modified. The goal of the map is to enable conservation professionals to identify land masses in the country that could support wildlife habitat. However, the complexity of the data could also provide other important information regarding land use in the US. Read more.

---