ROUTE 22A CORRIDOR STUDY Final Report Appendices Appendix C Task 2 Summary: Existing Conditions May 2012 Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Orwell, Benson, West Haven & Fair Haven, Vermont Broadreach Planning & Design/Stantec Rutland Regional Planning Commission Vermont VT Route 22ACorridor Study Task 2 Memo: Existing Conditions Submitted by: Broadreach Planning & Design In conjunction with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. July 2011 Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont May 2010 VT ROUTE 22A CORRIDOR STUDY Task 2 Memo – Existing Conditions Page 1 I. INTRODUCTION The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC), in conjunction with VTrans and the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, is managing the Vermont Route 22A Corridor Study. RRPC created a Corridor Technical Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of the two regional planning commissions, VTrans, and the four towns associated with the Vermont Route 22A Corridor Study Area: Orwell, Benson, West Haven, and Fair Haven. To assist the actual work of much of the Study, the RRPC contracted with Broadreach Planning & Design and Stantec Consulting Services, the Study Team. Vermont Route 22A (Route 22A) runs north south along the western side of the State of Vermont starting in Ferrisburgh on its northern end. It heads roughly straight south until it crosses into New York State at the southern limits of Fair Haven. The Study Area extends from the Route 22A intersection with Vermont Route 73 (Route 73) in Orwell as the northern terminus and ends in the south at the New York State line. The Study Area extends east west approximately one-half mile on either side of Route 22A, but extends farther as appropriate to include the influences of Vermont Route 30 (Route 30) and US Route 7 (Route 7), other nearby north south routes. Figure 2-1 shows the general location of Route 22A within western Vermont; Figures 2-2A and 2-2B show the limits of the Study Area. The Rutland Regional Planning Commission, in conjunction with VTrans, the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, and the towns of Orwell, Benson, West Haven, and Fair Haven, is undertaking the study of the Route 22A Corridor to plan for its future with the help of the Study Team. The study will, for the Route 22A Corridor: . Examine current crash data and other safety conditions, . Review existing and potential future land uses, . Look at future development potentials, . Consider the influences of environmental and cultural resources, and . Generally consider how the Route 22A corridor will look, feel, and perform into the future. The goal of the study will be a plan that guides where and what types of land use and roadway improvements should be considered now or in the next few years to address existing safety issues. The plan will also make additional recommendations on how the overall scenic rural character of Route 22A can be maintained into the future without sacrificing mobility for local communities or the region. This memo presents the results of the investigation of existing conditions along the corridor and the identification of issues to be addressed and opportunities to be explored during the Study. It will serve as the basis for the first round of discussions with the communities about the future of Route 22A. Broadreach Planning & Design/Stantec Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Page 2 After this introduction, the Task 2 Report is divided into six additional sections: . Other Relevant Studies, . Transportation Characteristics, . Land Use, . Utilities, . Natural and Cultural Resources, and . Issues, Problem Areas, and Opportunities. The report is formatted for double sided printing. II. RELEVANT PLANS AND STUDIES A. WESTERN CORRIDOR The recent study of Vermont’s Western Corridor Transportation Management Plan recommends 25 strategies relating to highways, freight, public transportation, economic vitality, and quality of life to pursue the goals and objectives of the plan. These recommendations were evaluated with respect to the goals and objectives and some were carried forward as part of the final Plan. In reviewing the study and these specific strategies for relevance to the VT 22A corridor, the study team recognizes the following (reference numbers are directly from the Western Corridor Plan): . F1: Investment in rail infrastructure in order to achieve load rating standards of 286,000 lb. for rail/bed and 315,000 lb for new bridges will help to divert some freight from truck to rail. F2: Improvement of truck access to rail facilities and airports in a way that does not compromise the safety and quality of life in residential neighborhoods. F3: Establishment of additional transload facilities to provide efficient intermodal (truck and rail) connectivity and enhance rail use. H4: Highway realignment and widening that meet Vermont Design Standards with improved alignments and in general with 12-foot lanes and 8-foot shoulders for segments posted at 50 mph. Q4: Implementation of traffic calming measures that can help to improve safety and reduce impacts associated with vehicle traffic by lowering vehicle speeds in towns and villages. Q6: Encouragement of compact, mixed use development within identified growth areas in urban/village areas that improve mobility by continuing the historic settlement pattern of compact July 2010 VT ROUTE 22A CORRIDOR STUDY Task 2 Memo – Existing Conditions Page 3 B. OTHER REPORTS No other reports were reviewed. III. LAND USE A. ORWELL The land along Route 22A in Orwell south of the intersection with Route 73 is primarily agricultural with small clusters of residential use interspersed. The largest concentration of residential use is centered on the Route 22A/Cook Road/Mutton Hill Road intersection. Most of the other residential land uses are associated with farms. The current Orwell zoning in the Study Area includes a Village District on the east side of Route 22A extending south approximately 700 feet from the intersection with Route 73; a Neighborhood Commercial (NC) District starting at Route 73 and extending south about 0.4 miles past Mutton Square and Cook Roads, except for the portion on the east side in the Village District; and a Medium Density Residential District that extends south from the end of the NC District approximately an additional half mile, a Rural District south of these districts on the east side of Route 22A and a Conservation District on the west side of Route 22A. Attachment A includes a copy of the Orwell Land Use map from the Town Plan that shows the location of these zoning districts and excerpts from the Town Plan that explains the purpose and basic aspects of each District. Table 2-1 provides more information on the characteristics of the Orwell zoning districts in the Study Area. The Orwell Town Plan indicates that Orwell is concerned about the condition of Route 22A. The Plan cites increased overall traffic, as well as more truck traffic, as issues that are affecting farmers who need to use or cross Route 22A. The Orwell Town Plan states that speed limits should be reduced on Route 22A, at least in their NC District. B. BENSON The land use in Benson is primarily agricultural or undeveloped along the entire length of the Route 22A. Non-agricultural uses along Route 22A in Benson include: . A farm stand on the southeast corner of Needham Hill Road, and . A gas station and store on the northeast corner of Route 144. Figures 2-3A and 2-3B show the general location of these uses. Broadreach Planning & Design/Stantec Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Page 4 Table 2-1: Zoning District Data Zoning District Minimum Lot Minimum Minimum Minimum Setbacks Permitted Uses (Partial List) Size Density Frontage Access Density Orwell Village C - 1/2 R C - 1/2 R C - 75 R - NA 30 B & B; Community Faciliyt; Group Commercial Use (C) - 1/4 - 1/4 50 Home; Single & Two Family Dwelling Residential Use ( R) Orwell Neighborhood C - 2 R -C - 5 R - C - 400 NA C - 150 Agriculture; B & B; Group Home; Commercial 1/2 2 R - 200 R - 100 Single and Two-Family Dwelling Orwell Medium C - 2 R -C - 5 R - C - 400 NA C - 150 Single & Two Family Dwelling; B & B; Density Residential 1/2 2 R - 200 R - 100 Group Home; Agriculture & Forestry; Orwell Conservation 5 25 400 NA 150 Agriculture & Forestry; Group Home; Benson: Agriculture 2 Acres 20 Acres 200 FT One 80 FT Farm Structures, Home Occupations, & Rural Residential Driveway/750 Accessory Structures, New Single and District FT Two-unit Dwellings, Most Other Possible Uses, including Commercial, Require Conditional Use Approval West Haven: 25 Acres 25 Acres 1,000 FT NA 60 Ft Front; 100 Agriculture and Forestry: One, Two and Agricultural District FT Side; 75 FT Multi-Family Units; Racetracks; Rear Recreation Facilities; Motor Coach & Trailor Camp; Professional Residence- Office; Museum; State or Community- Owned Facilities and Institutions; Schools; Churches; Hospitals; Solid and Fair Haven 20,000 40000 to 10,000 100 NA 40 Ft Front; 20 Residences; Hospitals; Inn & Hotel; Commercial District FT Side; 30 FT Office; Restaurant; Retail Sales & Rear Service; Outdoor Recreation; State and Community Facilities; Churches; Schools Fair Haven Industrial 20,000 40000 to 10,000 150 NA 40 Ft Front; 20 Light Industry; Outdoor Recreation; District FT Side; 30 FT Retail Sales & Service; State and Rear Community Facilities Fair Haven River 20,000 40000 to 10,000 75 NA 15 Ft Front; 15 Churches; B & B & Guest House; Mixed Use District FT Side; 30 FT Residences; Outdoor Recreation; Rear Offices; State or Community Facilities Fair Haven Residential 40000 to 10,000 40000 to 10,000 100 NA 30 Ft Front; 20 Churches; Residences; Guest Houses; District FT Side; 30 FT Out Door Recreation; Schools Rear Fair Haven Rural 40000 to 10,000 40000 to 10,000 150 NA 30 Ft Front; 30 Camp; Churches; B & B & Guest District FT Side; 30 FT Houese; Residences; Outdoor Rear Recrreation; Schools Source: Municipal Zoning Ordinances The Benson Zoning Ordinance places the entire length of Route 22A in the Agriculture and Rural Residential District.