TOWN OF JERICHO Planning and Zoning Office • PO Box 39 • Jericho, Vermont 05465 • (802) 899- 2287 TOWN OF JERICHO – PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Jericho Planning Commission hereby provides notice of a public hearing being held pursuant to Title 24, Sections 4384 for the purpose of hearing public comment regarding: Proposed Jericho Comprehensive Town Plan 2014 Update. The public hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2014 at 7:00p.m. in the Jericho Town Hall, located at 67 Vermont Route 15. The purpose of the proposed Town Plan update is an interim action to bring certain sections of the plan up to-date prior to the regular Town Plan renewal scheduled to take place in 2016 as required by the Vermont Municipal and Regional Planning and Development Act. The proposed Plan will affect all areas of the Town of Jericho. The 2014 proposed updates add information to the Town Plan, related to Floodplain Resiliency and the three Designated Village Centers. Table of Contents: Introduction, Vision and Goals, The Jericho Community, Land Use, Natural Resources, Cultural and Historic Resources, Economic Development, Housing, Education and Child Care, Transportation, Utilities Facilities and Services, Energy, Implementation, Maps Copies of the proposed Town Plan are available at the Jericho Town Hall, located at 67 Vermont Route 15. A digital copy may be viewed on the Town of Jericho Website at www.jerichovt.gov. TOWN OF JERICHO Planning and Zoning Office • PO Box 67 • Jericho, Vermont 05465 • (802) 899- 2287 MEMORANDUM To: Town of Underhill, Planning Commission Chair; Town of Westford, Planning Commission Chair; Town of Essex, Planning Commission Chair; Town of Williston, Planning Commission Chair; Town of Richmond, Planning Commission Chair; Town of Bolton, Planning Commission Chair; Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Executive Director; Department of Housing and Community Affairs. From: Jericho Planning Commission Date: September 12, 2014 RE: Proposed Jericho Town Plan Update The purpose of this Town Plan update is to provide interim additional information related to Floodplain Resiliency and Designated Village Centers, prior to the regular Town Plan renewal scheduled for 2016. Pursuant to 24 VSA Section 4384 and Section 4441, (sent by email with response requested) please find the following attached documents: • Notice of Planning Commission Public Hearing for proposed Amendments to the Jericho Town Plan • Planning Commission Report for proposed Amendments to the Jericho Town Plan • Full text of Proposed 2014 Jericho Town Plan update, with revisions included Your input and comments are solicited. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns at 899-2287 ext. 104 or by email [email protected]. Summary of Proposed Changes The following items comprise the 2014 Jericho Town Plan Update: 1. Add the following to the Natural Resources Section (p. 27): Floodplain Resiliency The Town of Jericho is situated along the Browns River. Flood hazard areas include portions of land bordering the Winooski River, Browns River, Lee River, Mill Brook, Skunk Hollow Brook, and The Creek. Jericho was included in the Browns River Phase 2 Stream Geomorphic Assessment Summary prepared by Fitzgerald Environmental dated 3/30/2010, which contains recommendations for streambank restoration and maintenance associated with floodplain resiliency. This report and other flood data specific to Jericho are available on the Flood Ready Vermont website floodready.vermont.gov. The floodplains and flood erosion hazard (FEH) zones are depicted in Map 13. The Town of Jericho has an established Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (approved by FEMA 8/8/11 and valid for 5 years), which was prepared in conjunction with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. Jericho participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. There is also a Town Emergency Operations Plan that provides a directive for emergency preparedness and response planning. Minimum federal standards prohibit any construction within the designated “floodway” and require any development within the 100-year floodplain (Zone A) to be built on sufficient fill to avoid being subject to flood hazard. The Town of Jericho exceeds this federal minimum. Development within the 100-year floodplain is limited to agriculture (not including structures), silviculture/forestry, farmers markets, recreation and wildlife management. However, due to development predating the regulations there are approximately 16 residences and 2 commercial/industrial structures located within the 100-year floodplain, according to an analysis performed for the 2011 Town of Jericho All-Hazards Mitigation Plan. 2. Add the following New Maps: Map 13: Floodplain and Fluvial Erosion Hazard (FEH) Map Map 14: Jericho Center- Designated Village Center Boundaries Map 15: Jericho Corners- Designated Village Center Boundaries Map 16: Riverside- Designated Village Center Boundaries Planning Commission Reporting Form for Municipal Plan Amendments Proposed Amendments to Jericho Town Plan September 12, 2014 This report is in accordance with 24 V.S.A.§4384(c) which states: “When considering an amendment to a plan, the planning commission shall prepare a written report on the proposal. The report shall address the extent to which the plan, as amended, is consistent with the goals established in §4302 of this title. (1)To establish a coordinated, comprehensive planning process and policy framework to guide decisions by municipalities, regional planning commissions, and state agencies. The 2010 Plan addresses numerous regional and state issues. The Land Use Section contains a brief discussion of Jericho’s Planning Areas in relation to those of neighboring communities. Individual sections attempt to place Jericho in a regional context. This 2014 update does not alter those sections. (2) To encourage citizen participation at all levels of the planning process, and to assure that decisions shall be made at the most local level possible commensurate with their impact. The Plan provides a framework for future land use and planning decisions in Jericho. The Utilities, Facilities, and Services Section contains strategies to increase citizen participation in the planning process. (3) To consider the use of resources and the consequences of growth and development for the region and the state, as well as the community in which it takes place. The Natural Resources Section contains thorough discussions on regional issues such as of stormwater runoff, habitat fragmentation, and air quality. This 2014 update to this section includes additional information related to Floodplain Resiliency. The Transportation Section discusses Jericho’s location on several major travel corridors. The Housing Section discusses ways in which Jericho can help to address the regional housing shortage. The Economic Development Section contains a discussion of Jericho’s role in the economic health of the Region. (4) To encourage and assist municipalities to work creatively together to develop and implement plans. The Town Plan calls for more interaction with neighboring municipalities. In particular, it specifically calls for collaborating with the Town of Underhill to plan for the future of the Riverside/Underhill Flats Village Center. (1) To plan development so as to maintain the historic settlement pattern of compact village and urban centers separated by rural countryside. The Plan calls for future growth to be focused in Jericho’s three existing Village Centers – Jericho Center, Jericho Corners, and Riverside/Underhill Flats. This 2014 update includes maps of the three Designated Village Centers. (A) Intensive residential development should be encouraged primarily in areas related to community centers, and strip development along highways should be discouraged. Significantly higher residential densities are envisioned and allowed for in the three Village Center Districts and surrounding Village Districts. This 2014 update includes maps of the three Designated Village Centers. Proposed Update to Jericho Town Plan September 12, 2014 (B) Economic growth should be encouraged in locally designated growth areas, or employed to revitalize existing village and urban centers, or both. The Plan envisions growth and economic development to be directed toward the three Village Centers through planning and infrastructure investments. To further reinforce this goal, maps have been added showing the Designated Village Center boundaries. (C) Public investments, including the construction or expansion of infrastructure, should reinforce the general character and planned growth patterns of the area. The Transportation and Utilities, Facilities, and Services Sections call for specific public investments aimed at revitalizing the Village Centers and enhancing their ability to accommodate additional growth. (2) To provide a strong and diverse economy that provides satisfying and rewarding job opportunities and that maintains high environmental standards, and to expand economic opportunities in areas with high unemployment or low per capita incomes. The Economic Development Section discusses assets within Jericho that can contribute to economic development and contains strategies to foster economic growth within Jericho. (3) To broaden access to educational and vocational training opportunities sufficient to ensure the full realization of the abilities of all Vermonters. The Education and Childcare Section contains a discussion of existing educational opportunities