Burke Town Plan Originally Adopted by: Burke Planning Commission September 28, 2006 Burke Selectboard December 4, 2006 Updated in accordance with 24 V.S.A. §4385: November 6, 2017 Amended to include an Enhanced Energy Plan (in accordance with Act 174): October 7, 2019 Plan Expiration Date: November 6, 2025 Table of Contents Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 4 Vision .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Purpose of the Town Plan ..................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2. Town History .......................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 3. Land Use Plan ......................................................................................................................... 9 Land Use Goals ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Land Use Overview .............................................................................................................................. 9 Forested Lands ................................................................................................................................ 10 Agricultural-Residential ................................................................................................................. 11 Villages ........................................................................................................................................... 14 Commercial/Industrial Development.............................................................................................. 17 Land Use Documentation ................................................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER 4. Transportation Plan ......................................................................................................... 18 Transportation Goals: ......................................................................................................................... 18 Town Highways .................................................................................................................................. 18 Traffic ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Access Management ........................................................................................................................... 23 Transportation Alternatives ................................................................................................................ 24 Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel ............................................................................................................ 25 Transportation Documentation ........................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER 5. Utility and Community Facility Plan .............................................................................. 27 Utility and Community Facility Goals ............................................................................................... 28 Utility and Community Facility Overview ......................................................................................... 28 Town Government .............................................................................................................................. 28 Law Enforcement ................................................................................................................................ 28 Fire Department .................................................................................................................................. 29 Medical Service .................................................................................................................................. 30 Recreation ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Telecommunications ........................................................................................................................... 31 Solid Waste ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Burke Town Plan Amended 10.07.19 1 Sewage Disposal Systems................................................................................................................... 33 Cemeteries .......................................................................................................................................... 36 Town Properties .................................................................................................................................. 36 Utility and Community Facility Documentation ................................................................................ 37 CHAPTER 6. Natural Resources Preservation Plan............................................................................... 37 Natural Resources Goals ..................................................................................................................... 37 General ................................................................................................................................................ 37 Landscape ........................................................................................................................................... 37 Quality of Life Resources ................................................................................................................... 40 Slopes .................................................................................................................................................. 43 Agriculture .......................................................................................................................................... 44 Forest Resources ................................................................................................................................. 44 Sensitive Areas ................................................................................................................................... 45 CHAPTER 7. Historic Features and Resources ..................................................................................... 48 Historic and Cultural Resource Goal .................................................................................................. 48 Historic and Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 8. Educational Facilities Plan .............................................................................................. 50 Education Goal ................................................................................................................................... 50 Current Education Overview .............................................................................................................. 50 CHAPTER 9. Energy Plan ..................................................................................................................... 52 Energy Goal ........................................................................................................................................ 52 General Energy Considerations .......................................................................................................... 52 Renewable Energy .............................................................................................................................. 58 Energy Efficiency ............................................................................................................................... 65 CHAPTER 10. Housing Plan ................................................................................................................ 67 Housing Goal ...................................................................................................................................... 67 Housing Overview .............................................................................................................................. 67 CHAPTER 11. Economic Development ............................................................................................... 69 Economic Development Goals ........................................................................................................... 69 Economic Development Overview ..................................................................................................... 69 Adjacent Communities ....................................................................................................................... 71 Chapter 12. Flood Resiliency ................................................................................................................ 72 Burke Rivers and Streams .................................................................................................................. 72 Flood Hazards ....................................................................................................................................