The nomination deadline for our Annual Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership has been extended to March 26. To nominate someone who exemplifies the qualities of this great Vermont leader, download the nomination form or contact our Program Director, Suzanne Blanchard, for more information. Also, stay tuned to our e-newsletter for details on event date, location and sponsorship opportunities. We expect another great turn out for this year's event!

Community Update

Danville Focuses on Town Character
The Danville Planning Commission kicked off the first of three Community meetings on February 15. During the meeting, residents shared their thoughts on maintaining and enhancing rural character - strong local farms, open lands for recreation, scenic views - while still encouraging new development. The Planning Commission also asked participants to fill out a survey which will be available to complete online shortly. Danville residents are invited to the next two Public Meetings, March 8 and April 5, 2010.

Bristol Works on Bylaw Updates
Bristol's Planning Commission continues to work with us on creating zoning districts and standards that meet the town's goals for self-reliance, diversity, and economic growth to enhance Bristol's traditional village core and surrounding rural beauty. However, we may be taking a break this spring as the Town works to answer concerns raised about gravel extraction that resulted in the defeat of the Town Plan and an extraction bylaw at Town Meeting Day.

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

Member Spotlight

Melinda Moulton, CEO, Main Street Landing, Burlington
I support Smart Growth Vermont because it is important that we develop Vermont in a way that protects those things we all value and hold dear to our hearts. So many places around the country have been built up in a way that destroys the integrity and sense of place. Smart Growth Vermont works for us to protect the special qualities of our beautiful state and encourages development patterns that maintain our wonderful quality of life here in Vermont.

Vermont's own Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has partnered with Ashoka's Changemakers to launch the nationwide "Revelation to Change" competition. This online competition is accepting nominations for individuals and organizations who have innovative ideas for community solutions. Winners will be judged on innovation, social impact and long-term sustainability. For more information or to nominate an individual or organization, visit www.changemakers.com. Entries will be accepted until April 21, 2010.

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

Smart Growth in Action: Fundamental Principles

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Many of us consider Vermont a land of choice yet when it comes to transportation, often our only choice is the automobile. This works well for most of us, but when oil prices rise or we can no longer drive, getting to work, the doctor's or visiting friends can be a challenge. Our lack of options also impacts our wallets. In 2003, the average American household spent just over 19% of their income on transportation costs - more than health care, food or education. Costs related to vehicle purchase and maintenance, registration, fuel and parking can strain budgets, particularly among our low-income neighbors, who spend an average of 36 cents of every dollar on transportation.

When towns develop multiple transportation choices and insure that these options are integrated and consistent with land use objectives, we can reduce harmful emissions, improve physical health, increase the mobility of those without access to reliable vehicles, and save money.

Towns have many tools available to create transportation choices. First, they can plan and zone for compact, mixed-use neighborhoods and work with transit providers to deliver services to these areas. This not only brings people closer to jobs, schools and services, it also creates the density necessary to make public transit affordable and efficient. A transportation plan can serve as the guide to connecting existing and new roads instead of creating dead ends, as well as mapping out bike and pedestrian paths that consider both commuting and recreation. Implementing "complete streets" policy is another way to encourage road improvements and that new projects consider bike lanes, sidewalks, crossings and transit stops. If towns implement these tools, we can make travel safe and friendly for transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists.

Transportation is much more than getting from point A to point B. It is the network that ties together our workplaces, our homes, our businesses and our schools. As an individual, you can also make a difference.

Encourage your town to plan and implement compact neighborhoods and work with transit providers and developers to provide bus stops and link bike and pedestrian paths.
Share a ride to work
Use CarShare Vermont
Walk to the store
Take public transit.

These steps can can help make Vermont's transportation system healthier, more affordable and accessible. To learn more about transportation choice and other principles of smart growth visit our website.

Community Spotlight: White River Junction

The glory days of the railroad mark the historic identity of White River Junction, a lively village located within Hartford's downtown district. Arts, the White River and a boom in new businesses make this village a worthwhile destination.

Home to more than thirty artists, studios and businesses, White River Junction has been undergoing an active revitalization program since the late 1980s. At the forefront of their efforts has been the reuse of many historic structures, such as an old freight house, bakery and post office, all of which have been converted to suit the needs of current businesses.

In an effort to address the infrastructural upgrades that are necessary to maintain the health of many of the historic buildings, Town staff, the Hartford Development Corporation and key property owners and developers throughout White River Junction launched a Comprehensive Revitalization Plan in 2007.

The Plan outlines goals to: create a mixture of uses in residential and commercial spaces, reflect sustainable design features appropriate to the historic character of the village, provide public amenities such as open space and parks, and conserve energy. Funding to support these projects has come from a variety of sources, including contributions and federal and state tax credits.

White River Junction is also in the final phase of a growth center application, and the town is hoping that this designation will support revitalization of the downtown and promote compact, mixed use development surrounding the downtown, supported by transit, and bike and pedestrian paths.

Local Farms, South Hero Land Trust Embark on Energy Study

Thanks to a grant provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the South Hero Land Trust and five local farms will participate in feasibility studies to assess the types of renewable energy that are available on their farms.

Spring Hill Solutions, a Burlington-based renewable energy and carbon management consulting firm, has been hired to to conduct the study. For more information on this project, view the article from South Hero Land Trust's Winter 2010 newsletter.

Municipal Planning Grants Available for 2010

The Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development has announced that Municipal Planning Grants will be available this year. Grants will be awarded for single applications in the amount of $15,000; multi-town projects are eligible for up to $25,000. No local match is required this year. For more information, or to apply for a grant, email Wendy Tudor, or call 802-828-5249.

Guerilla Gardening in U.S. Cities

Creating an appealing public space can sometimes be as easy as planting a few flowers, and cells of Guerilla Gardeners are popping up worldwide to get the job done. These enthusiastic green thumbs can be seen often late at night, sprucing up neglected vacant lots and littered public spaces with a variety of eye catching greenery. Read more.

Olympic Village Named World's Greenest Neighborhood

The site of this year's Winter Olympics, Southeast False Creek, in Vancouver, Canada, received the Platinum for World's Greenest Neighborhood from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The site was chosen based on some of the following criteria: close proximity to the downtown core, mixed residential and commercial use, affordable housing and construction of energy efficient buildings.

A former industrial site, the village housed 2,600 athletes and coaches during the games and will provide housing for up to 16,00 people upon completion. Read more.

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E-News March 2010

Quick Links

Deadline Extended for Art Gibb Award Nominations