Bristol Town Plan Approved Draft 9/1/2020 Bristol, Vermont Town Plan 2020 This plan was updated in 2020 by the Bristol Planning Commission, supported by the Addison County Regional Planning Commission and funded by a Municipal Planning Grant Cover Photo: Bristol Town Hall in Spring, ©Anne Majusiak 2 Bristol Town Plan Approved Draft 9/1/2020 Contents INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 5 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Vision .......................................................................................................................................... 7 THE PEOPLE ................................................................................................................................. 9 Population and Housing ............................................................................................................ 10 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 20 THE COMMUNITY ..................................................................................................................... 22 Scenic, Historic and Cultural Resources ................................................................................... 23 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 30 Municipal Facilities and Lands ................................................................................................. 31 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 36 Economic Development ............................................................................................................ 37 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 41 Education and Childcare ........................................................................................................... 43 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 46 Recreation and Healthy Living ................................................................................................. 47 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 51 Utilities ...................................................................................................................................... 52 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 57 Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 58 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 66 Energy ....................................................................................................................................... 67 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 70 Public Health and Safety ........................................................................................................... 71 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 75 THE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................ 76 Natural Resources ..................................................................................................................... 77 Goals and Policies ................................................................................................................. 93 Flood Resilience ........................................................................................................................ 94 Goals and Policies ............................................................................................................... 101 3 Bristol Town Plan Approved Draft 9/1/2020 LAND USE AND PLANNING .................................................................................................. 102 Land Use and Planning ........................................................................................................... 103 Goals and Policies ............................................................................................................... 112 COMPATIBILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION ....................................................................... 114 Implementation........................................................................................................................ 117 Implementation Actions ...................................................................................................... 118 Appendix 1. Enhanced Energy Plan ........................................................................................... 122 Thermal Energy ....................................................................................................................... 125 Electrical Use .......................................................................................................................... 130 Transportation ......................................................................................................................... 133 Land Use, Generation and Transmission ................................................................................ 137 Mapping .................................................................................................................................. 143 Appendix 2. Resource Extraction ............................................................................................... 168 4 Bristol Town Plan Approved Draft 9/1/2020 INTRODUCTION 5 Bristol Town Plan Approved Draft 9/1/2020 Background Entering the town of Bristol, one passes a sign identifying the town as the “Gateway to the Green Mountains.” It’s a fitting description of this forty-two square mile municipality that transitions from Champlain Valley farmland to the wooded slopes of the Green Mountains. West of Bristol’s inviting, compact village is a plateau that marked the shores of Lake Vermont and the Champlain Sea thousands of years ago, as they arose in turn during the melting of the Wisconsin glacier. To the east of the village, rises the heavily wooded Hogback ridge. Part of the Green Mountain National Forest begins just to the south of Main Street and the New Haven River, a portion of which is the Bristol Cliffs Wilderness Area. Agriculture, forestry, and other natural- resource-based endeavors surround the village. The beauty of our setting also enhances the numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. Purpose In planning for the future of Bristol, the Planning Commission has kept in mind four fundamental charges: ❖ To protect the health and beauty of this remarkable natural setting; ❖ To foster a vibrant, prosperous, and socially inclusive human community; ❖ To support the historically successful and commercially sound downtown; and ❖ To sustain our foundation of value-added natural resource-based industries. This Town Plan defines a long-term vision for the Town of Bristol and a means for achieving that vision. The plan is designed to serve as a primary reference when making community decisions and to provide guidance to local officials when setting public policy. The plan: ❖ Provides historical data and background information, ❖ Describes Bristol’s current conditions, character and challenges, and ❖ Includes town goals, policies and actions. 6 Bristol Town Plan Approved Draft 9/1/2020 Vision The following broad vision reflects both research and consideration by the Planning Commission and many eloquent comments by residents attending public meetings. This statement, which will continue to evolve, expresses our highest aspirations for the community we love. Bristol’s citizens will have a deep sense of community yet remain independent and self-reliant. The town will be economically, environmentally and culturally diverse. It will have access to appropriate transportation and communication options. Affordable energy and efficient housing opportunities will be available close to the village area and within walking distance of its businesses. Other support services, such as childcare, health centers, and a wide variety of retail facilities will operate in the village of Bristol. The village area will remain the heart and core of Bristol. The natural environment in both the rural and village sections of the town will be clean and healthy. Local merchants and businesses will benefit from tourism that fits into and reinforces the healthy, working landscape. The town will have a healthy, local economy. The local economy will include businesses that are diverse, energy efficient, and compact. The economic climate will foster locally- owned and entrepreneurial enterprises. Employment opportunities will be stable and will provide competitive wages. These businesses will place minimum demands on municipal services, emphasize