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E-news November 2010 |
Welcome to Smart Growth Vermont's November E-newsletter! This month, read about Warren, VT, how you can keep your holiday dollars circulating in the State, the latest on our community work, and smart growth news from Vermont and around the nation. Like what you read in our e-newsletter? Let us know. Better yet, support this publication and our work in Vermont communities by becoming a sustaining member. Find out more. Starting with our December issue, your business can be a sponsor of this e-newsletter, with your logo featured here! Learn more. |
Communities Update
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Community Involvement in Bristol and Burke
Once school starts and the leaves turn, Planning Commissions, Select Boards and many other town committees get to work updating Town Plans, drafting energy plans and considering new bylaws to implement. Two of the towns that Smart Growth Vermont is working with - Bristol and Burke – are no exception.
The Planning Commission in Bristol has taken on an ambitious agenda as they continue to work on re-drafting a new Town Plan and at the same time consider district changes, updated standards and uses within these districts. On October 19th, the first of five meetings over eight weeks re-focused these efforts as the Commission considered the updates in the districts in and around Bristol’s downtown. Community members are encouraged and welcomed to get involved by participating at a meeting, sending comments or signing up to receive information.
Residents in Burke came out on October 28th to provide comments and suggestions on proposed standards for existing and new business, commercial and industrial uses in the community. Participants “voted” on the appropriate location, and various performance standards as they determine the best way to encourage and promote economic activity while at the same time maintaining the rural character they so value.
This work was made possible in part by Municipal Planning Grants from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs as well as foundation support from Smart Growth Vermont. Go to our website for more information on Bristol and Burke, and our other community projects.
Show Your Support and Promote Your Business
We’re adding a sponsorship opportunity to our monthly e-newsletter. Up to two businesses can have logos, programmed for click-through to your website, in our welcome message each month for only $300. We’re offering discounts for multiple month sponsorship. Be the first and sponsor our December edition.
This e-newsletter goes to about 1,000 people, many of whom forward it to friends and colleagues. We also promote the e-newsletter through our Facebook page, which is followed by almost 1,500 people, extending your reach to even more people statewide. If you would be interested in targeting your sponsorship to complement our monthly Community Spotlight, let us know and we’ll work you into the schedule. View the details.
For more information, contact Mary Harwood, (802) 864-6310.
Volunteer Spotlight: Kate Lukas
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Kate Lukas began volunteering for Smart Growth Vermont in September, working on website development and fundraising initiatives. She recently started working with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and is very excited that their passion for giving back to the community will allow her to continue to volunteer.
Kate graduated from Babson College with a BS in Management and spent five years in the Boston area. She worked in Supply Chain for Shaw's Supermarkets before moving to Google on an analytics contract. When she wasn't at work, Kate taught Vinyasa yoga at Harvard and other studios in and around Cambridge, MA.
Needing a respite from the corporate world, Kate spent the next several months traveling to places like Australia, New Zealand, and Honduras. When she finally made it back to the states, she knew that Burlington- a place she had only visited once before but was so taken with- was the place she wanted to land. We're glad she's chosen Vermont, and Smart Growth Vermont, as places to share her talents.
Upcoming Events
E-Vermont Looking for 12 New Pilot Communities
The E-Vermont Community Broadband Project, led by the Vermont Council on Rural Development, is seeking 12 more pilot communities that want to take advantage of the internet to advance local needs including economic development, downtown marketing, school innovation and community engagement. The application deadline is November 17. Visit Vermont Council on Rural Development's website for more information.
Check out our calendar of events for more.
Smart Growth in Action: Holiday Goods Vermont Style
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The holidays are approaching and as we prepare dinner menus and begin searching for the perfect gift, let's remember to think local first! As we become more aware of the economic benefits of buying local, and the amount of energy required to transport goods across the country or the world, buying Vermont products makes good sense.
Visit your nearby country store, corner market or farm stand, where you're likely to find many Vermont-made products such as cheeses, maple syrup and handmade gifts. The Vermont Alliance of Independent Country Stores offers a concise list of stores across the state. You can also visit our section, Connect to the Land: A Guide for Taking Action, which provides numerous resources for keeping your dollars cycling in the local economy.
Holiday and Winter Farmers Markets are also great places to find local food and gifts. For a full listing, go to the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-VT) website, or the Vermont Department of Agriculture's website. The success of summer markets and farm shares has led to an increase in winter markets and year round CSA's, as demand for local food such as meat, vegetables and dairy products grows.
If you're looking for an alternative to traditional gift giving this year, consider making a contribution to your favorite Vermont non-profit organization on behalf of a loved one or a good friend. Perhaps you can give them a membership in Smart Growth Vermont for the holidays. Contributing to a cause is a great way to spread holiday cheer and make a difference in our beautiful state. Happy Holidays!
Community Spotlight: Warren
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Situated at the southern end of the Mad River Valley is Warren, VT. Home to some of Vermont's finest skiing terrain at Sugarbush Resort, and Mad River Glen just down the road, Warren is an active, rural community that cherishes the value of the surrounding scenic landscape.
Pioneers settled the area in the 1790's, undeterred by the wilderness conditions of their new home. The land was cleared for farming and later, mills, tanneries and stores provided important services to the community.
The economy transformed when Sugarbush Resort opened in the Valley in 1958, providing opportunities for new businesses in the tourism industry. Since then, the region has become a desirable place to live. The rapid development and a rise in property values has resulted in a lack of affordable housing.
The need for affordable housing is critical in the Warren area because many of the residents are employed with Sugarbush Resort and work seasonally or part time. In an effort to close the gap on affordability, Housing Vermont and the Central Vermont Community Land Trust worked with Bill Maclay Architects to construct the Wheeler Brook Apartments, which provides 18 units of affordable rentals on the road to the Resort and along the bus loop.
In 2008, Smart Growth Vermont assisted Warren in developing a strategy for incorporating affordable housing in and around the Village. Warren officials are currently drafting changes to the Town Plan, and are working on incorporating mixed use and residential districts in the Village.
Two scenic, recreational rivers run through Warren, the Mad River and Freeman's Brook, which contribute to the local tourism economy and to the environmental quality of the region. Key to maintaining the health of the rivers has been the installation of an innovative decentralized wastewater management system. Prior to this, many properties had individual septic systems that were failing. As concern for water quality grew, residents committed to investing in a system that has not only cleaned up the rivers, but has also allowed Warren to increase density in and around the Village.
From past to present, Warren continues to value community by making lasting improvements to the quality of life for residents and the surrounding environment.
Vermont News
Preservation Trust of Vermont Honored with Award for Organizational Excellence
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|  Photo courtesy of Preservation Trust of Vermont |
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has honored Preservation Trust of Vermont, and Paul Bruhn, with a Trustees' Award for Organizational Excellence, which was presented at the 2010 National Preservation Conference.
The Organization, led by Paul Bruhn, was chosen because of its commitment to providing preservationists with technical and financial assistance, as well as a great deal of encouragement. Read more.
Comment on Plans for Chittenden County's Future
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The Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) is seeking public input via a survey on proposed long range regional development and transportation improvement projects for Chittenden County. The questions present choices for how and where Chittenden County might grow in the future. Respondents also have the opportunity to voice opinions and concerns. Best of all, you will be automatically entered in a raffle drawing to receive gift certificates to local restaurants. Take the survey now!
A Green Roof Rises Above Lake Champlain
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|  Photo credit: Sarah Gallagher |
One of the latest additions to storm water mitigation in Burlington can’t be seen from the street. It is on top of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Burlington. One thousand square feet of sedum now graces part of the expansive roof that overlooks Lake Champlain.
Faced with a needed roof replacement, the church opted for a green roof. While almost double the cost of a regular roof, it will last far longer and will act as a buffer for storm water runoff that quickly ends up in the Lake. 1,000 square feet of sedum, which will sponge up and slowly release rain water, preventing it from rushing downhill, was installed. As an added bonus, the roof provides extra insulation that will save on heating and cooling costs. A similar roof graces Heritage Aviation at the Burlington Airport.
For more information on green roofs and storm water management, visit Prides Corner Farms website.
National News
Laguna Beach Rejects Walking to School
The placement of schools in Laguna Beach, CA, particularly the middle schhol and two elementary schools, is one of the barriers to promoting a safe, walkable option for the community. With the exception of the high school, the others are far removed from the city center and sidewalk leading to the middle school ends at the entrance to the parking lot. Poor planning and a fear instilled in parents that walking to school is unsafe have also contributed to this nationwide problem. Read more.
What Would It Take for You to Ditch Your Car?
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|  Photo courtesy of Bob Goyetche via The Commons |
The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched a conversation series about what it would take to get people out of their cars for good. Readers are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about walking, biking and using public transportation as their sole mode of transportation. Take a look at what people are saying and share your thoughts.
© 2011 Smart Growth Vermont | 110 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401
info@smartgrowthvermont.org | www.smartgrowthvermont.org | 802-864-6310
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