Norton Town Plan

Norton Town Plan Adopted: July 1, 2014 Norton Selectboard Stephan Isabelle David Dominico Kenneth Stransky Norton Planning Commission Tonilyn Fletcher Suzanne Isabelle Hans Klunder Patricia Whitney Stephan Isabelle (ex officio) Table of Contents Section Page Number I. Introduction 1 A. Historic and Geographic Overview 1 B. Purpose of Plan 2 C. Public Participation 2 D. Organization of the Plan 2 E. Overarching Goals 3 II. Land Use 4 A. Existing Conditions 4 B. Planning Considerations 6 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 11 III. Employment and Economic Development 13 A. Existing Conditions 13 B. Planning Considerations 13 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 16 IV. Transportation 17 A. Existing Conditions 17 B. Planning Considerations 18 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 19 V. Community Facilities and Utilities 21 A. Existing Conditions 21 1. Water Supply/Sewage Disposal 21 2. Solid Waste 21 3. Law Enforcement/Emergency Services 21 4. Health Care Facilities 22 5. Public Buildings/Properties 22 6. Public Utilities: Electric and Telecommunications 22 7. Recreation 23 8. Town Administration 23 B. Planning Considerations 24 1. Water Supply/Sewage Disposal 24 2. Solid Waste 24 3. Law Enforcement/Emergency Services 25 4. Health Care Facilities 25 5. Public Buildings/Properties 25 6. Public Utilities: Electric and Telecommunications 26 7. Recreation 26 8. Town Administration 28 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 28 1. Water Supply/Sewage Disposal 28 2. Solid Waste 29 Norton Town Plan Page ii 3. Law Enforcement/Emergency Services 29 4. Health Care Facilities 29 5. Public Buildings/Properties 29 6. Public Utilites: Electric and Telecommunications 29 7. Recreation 30 8. Town Administration 30 VI. Education 31 A. Existing Conditions 31 B. Planning Considerations 31 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 31 VII. Natural, Scenic and Historic Resources 32 A. Existing Conditions 32 B. Planning Considerations 33 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 35 VIII. Energy 36 A. Existing Conditions 36 B. Planning Considerations 36 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 38 IX. Housing 39 A. Existing Conditions 39 B. Planning Considerations 41 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 42 X. Flood Resilience 43 A. Existing Conditions 43 B. Planning Considerations 44 C. Goals and Recommended Actions 46 XI. Regional Compatibility 48 A. Impacts on Adjacent Communities 48 B. Recommended Actions 49 XII. Plan Implementation 50 Appendix 1:Required Elements (chart) 51 Appendix 2: Maps Map 1: Base Map Map 2: Land Use/Land Cover Map 3: Natural Resource Constraints Map 4: Soils Constraints Map 5: Flood Hazard Areas Map 6: Zoning Districts Map 7: Town of Norton General Highway Map Norton Town Plan Page iii I. Introduction A. Historic and Geographic Overview Norton, located on the Canadian Border (Quebec) in northwestern Essex County, has the distinction of being the first town chartered in Vermont in 1769. When chartered, the town name was changed from Hamilton to Norton. The new name came from one of the largest holders of the original land grants, Jedediah Norton. In later years as the lumber business thrived, the town name became Norton Mills. During its peak population years, Norton had a population of over 1000. In the 20th century, the town was renamed Norton following the closure of many of the once numerous mills. As of the 2010 census, the town’s population had fewer than 200 persons. Norton’s historic ties to Quebec are especially important and must be understood to realize the character of this town. The earliest settlers came south from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Both French and English settlers migrated to Norton and the only major transportation routes were to the north into Quebec. When the railroad arrived in 1853, Norton became tied to America and shipment of lumber from Norton's many mills flowed into southern New England. Many of the settling families still live in Norton and are the backbone of the community. As no roads existed into Island Pond or Canaan until the earliest part of the 20th century most trade and commerce was with Coaticook, in the Province of Quebec just 8 miles to the north. This trend continues for many today as Coaticook, with one major food markets, 2 hardware stores, dentists, restaurants, funeral homes, drug stores and banks provide many of the daily or weekly needs of the community. To the north just 30 minutes is Sherbrooke, a city of 100,000. Sherbrooke is the regional center of the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Sherbrooke/Lenoxville has two universities and the nearest locations for major shopping such as Home Depot, Wal*Mart, Costco, Sears, Hudson Bay Co., movie theaters and restaurants. Many of these services become more or less important as the currency exchange fluctuates bringing more shoppers from the north to Norton or from Norton traveling to the north. Norton is bordered on the East by Averill and Canaan, on the North by Quebec, on the West by Holland, and on the South by Warner’s Grant, Warren Gore, and Avery’s Gore. It is located approximately 15 miles north of Island Pond, and eight miles south of Coaticook, PQ. There are no incorporated villages within the Town of Norton. Norton is known as the most distant town north of the major New England cities, and the town remains a destination for hundreds of Vermonters. To our northern neighbors, Norton is “La Frontiere.” The residents and landowners of Norton are fiercely proud of the traditional, rustic character of the town. There is a desire for Norton to grow and Norton Town Plan Page 1 prosper while retaining our character and remote identity. This Town Plan respects our rich heritage and presents a blueprint for our third century. B. Purpose of Town Plan The Norton Planning Commission is responsible for the development of this Plan. The town’s previous Plan expired in 2011. Recent changes to the Vermont Municipal and Regional Planning and Development Act, along with a desire to control its own future aided Norton’s decision to create this new Town Plan. The Plan forms the basis for updating Norton’s land use regulations, and provides a valuable reference in the review of projects by local municipal boards, projects subject to Act 250 Review, and projects requiring review by the Vermont Public Service Board for the issuance of a “certificate of public good” (Section 248 proceedings). It also serves as a guiding document when making decisions on capital improvements within the Town. The development of this Plan was funded by a Municipal Planning Grant from Vermont’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs. This Plan in its entirety spells out the general direction in which the Town of Norton wishes to proceed. C. Public Participation As part of the planning process for the 2006 Plan, the Norton Planning Commission conducted an extensive opinion survey of residents and landowners. The response was very good, with 110 individuals participating – nearly one-half of Norton’s population. Of the survey respondents, 35% were resident homeowners and 50% were seasonal homeowners. Sixty percent of respondents were between the ages 41-64, and 36% were age 65 or older. Survey results have been incorporated into this document and are in a bulleted format. The Planning Commission believes that local opinions have changed little over recent years; therefore most recommendations are still valid for this 2013 update. The complete 14-page questionnaire and all responses are available for public review at the Town offices. D. Organization of the Plan The Plan is arranged in sections that comprise the elements required for municipal plans under the Vermont Planning and Development Act (24 V.S.A. § 4382). The Plan includes sections on: Land Use Economic Development Transportation Public Facilities and Utilities Education Natural, Scenic and Historic Resources Energy Norton Town Plan Page 2 Housing Flood Resilience Plan Implementation and Compatibility with Region The section on Flood Resilience is a new requirement for Town Plans effective July 1, 2014, based on a recently enacted amendment to 24 V.S.A. § 4382. This section addresses flood hazard areas in Norton, and recommends strategies to mitigate risks to public safety, critical infrastructure, and municipal investments. For each element of the Plan, “Existing Conditions” and “Planning Considerations,” including noted deficiencies or needs for the future of the community, are described. Relevant input from the 2006 community survey is included in each section of the Plan in the “Planning Considerations” subsection. At the end of each Plan section are “Goals and Recommended Actions” outlining how the Town wishes to proceed. E. Overarching Goals The Planning Commission has identified six major overarching priorities (goals) for the Town of Norton. They are equally important and appear throughout this document. Goals pertaining to specific elements of the Plan are included under the “Goals and Recommended Actions” of each individual section: Traditional ways of life and land use patterns within the Town of Norton should be preserved. The number of town-maintained roads (class 3 and 4) should be kept to a minimum, and environmental quality should be given priority when new roads are constructed. Minimizing environmental degradation caused by development activities is a priority. Maintaining and protecting water quality in our lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, and streams is a priority. Maintaining and enhancing recreational opportunities for the residents and visitors of the Town of Norton is a priority. Land use should be based on the natural resource constraints of a particular parcel of land, and take into consideration special attributes such as wetlands, special flood hazard area, steep slopes, mountain tops, or special wildlife habitat. Norton Town Plan Page 3 II. Land Use A. Existing Conditions Norton has total land area of 24,832 acres, or approximately 39 square miles; 85% of which is owned by large timber interests and the State of Vermont.

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