Chapter 117 of Title 24, Section 4384, and Vermont Statutes Annotated
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TOWN OF HIGHGATE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given to the residents of the Town of Highgate, Vermont that the Highgate Planning Commission will hold a hearing on May 28, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal Hall to consider for adoption the following proposed Highgate Town Plan 2015 pursuant to Chapter 117 of Title 24, Section 4384, and Vermont Statutes Annotated. The proposed Highgate Town Plan 2015 includes 11 chapters: Introduction, Visions for the Future, Social and Economic Resources, Natural and Cultural Resources, Energy, Transportation, Facilities and Services, All Hazards Resiliency, Land Use, Neighboring Communities, and Recommendations for Implementation. A full text of the draft plan is on file in the Highgate Town Clerk’s Office. The plan proposes goals and policies that impact the entire town of Highgate. This plan is intended to be consistent with the goals established in Title 24, Section 4302. According to Title 24 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, town plans must be readopted every five years or they will expire. The most recent Highgate Town Plan will expire July 15, 2015. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on the updated, draft plan (2015 version) and to discuss any comments provided by the public. REPORT ON HIGHGATE TOWN PLAN REVISION Over the past year the Highgate Planning Commission has been working to complete an update of the Town’s “Municipal Plan”. This effort is part of a continuing planning process that guides the Town’s decisions for future growth. Their planning process conforms to the State’s four planning goals of Chapter 117, Section 4302, which strive for a comprehensive planning process that includes citizen participation, the consideration for the consequences of growth, and compatibility with surrounding municipalities. By state statute, Towns must prepare and update their town plan every five years; the current Highgate Municipal Plan expires on July 15, 2015. The plan revision focused on the following updating data and information to be as current as possible. The Highgate Municipal Plan contains 11 chapters, which include: Introduction; Visions for the Future; Energy; Social and Economic Resources; Natural and Cultural Resources; Energy; Transportation; Community Facilities and Services; All Hazards Resiliency; Land Use; Neighboring Communities and the Region; and Recommendations for Implementing the Plan. These chapters are consistent with the 13 goals established in Chapter 117, Section 4302. These goals aim to: maintain the historic settlement pattern of compact village centers separated by rural countryside; provide a strong and diverse economy with rewarding job opportunities; broaden access to educational and vocational training opportunities for people of all ages; provide for safe, convenient, economic, and energy efficient transportation systems; to identify, protect, and preserve important natural and historic resources; to maintain and improve the quality of air, water, wildlife, and land resources; to encourage the efficient use of energy and development of renewable energy resources; to maintain and enhance recreational opportunities; to encourage and strengthen agricultural and forest industries; to provide for the wise and efficient use of natural resources; to ensure the availability of safe and affordable housing; to plan for, finance, and provide an efficient system of public facilities and services; and to ensure the availability of safe and affordable childcare. Highgate land use ordinances, subdivision regulations, and zoning bylaws are based on the information compiled and the goals expressed within the Municipal Plan. Highgate Planning Commission members have spent many hours discussing and compiling this document and they would sincerely like to receive your feedback. DRAFT TOWN PLAN 2015-2020 Highgate, Vermont Town Plan 2015 i 2015 - 2020 Highgate Town Plan CREDITS Prepared With the professional assistance and mapping services of the Northwest Regional Planning Commission 75 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT 05478 802-524-5958 For the Highgate Planning Commission & Town of Highgate, Vermont PO Box 189, Highgate Center, VT 05459 802-868-4697 Highgate Planning Commission Members: • Richard Trombley– Chair • Woodbury Rouse • Bruce Ryan • Luc Dupuis • Larry Simmons Highgate Planning & Zoning Administrator – Heidi Britch-Valenta Approved by the Highgate Planning Commission for submission to the Highgate Selectboard on Month Day, Year Adopted by the Highgate Selectboard on Month Day, Year Effective Date: July 15, 2010 Highgate, Vermont Town Plan 2015 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 AUTHORITY ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 PLANNING PROCESS ............................................................................................................................................ 2 ROLE OF THE HIGHGATE PLANNING COMMISSION ..................................................................................... 2 VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF HIGHGATE ............................................................................................... 3 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES ........................................................................................................ 4 HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................................................................... 4 POPULATION ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 HOUSING STOCK................................................................................................................................................... 6 ELDERLY HOUSING ........................................................................................................................................... 10 AFFORDABLE HOUSING.................................................................................................................................... 10 ECONOMY ............................................................................................................................................................ 13 CHILD CARE FACILITIES ................................................................................................................................... 16 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GOALS .................................................................................................................... 16 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................... 16 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................... 18 NATURAL RESOURCES...................................................................................................................................... 18 ARCHEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ....................................................................................... 29 ENERGY .............................................................................................................................................................32 ELECTRICITY ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 NATURAL GAS .................................................................................................................................................... 33 RENEWABLE SOURCES ..................................................................................................................................... 33 ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CONSERVATION .......................................................................................... 33 ENERGY GOALS .................................................................................................................................................. 35 ENERGY OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................ 35 TRANSPORTATION .........................................................................................................................................37 HIGHWAYS AND LOCAL ROADS ..................................................................................................................... 37 ROAD SURFACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (RSMS) ...................................................................................... 43 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION .............................................................................................................................. 44 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES FEASIBILITY STUDY ................................................................ 44 TRANSPORTATION GOALS ..............................................................................................................................