2016 Town Plan Newark, Vermont December 14, 2016 Newark Town Plan December 14, 2016 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 7 1.1 Newark Background and History...................................................................................... 7 1.2 Government ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.3 The Newark Town Plan..................................................................................................... 9 1.3.1 The Purpose of Town Plans ....................................................................................... 9 1.3.2 Statutory Requirements .......................................................................................... 10 1.3.3 Development of Newark’s Town Plan .................................................................... 11 1.3.3.1 Newark Town Plan—2011 ............................................................................... 12 1.3.3.2 Newark Town Plan Amendments—2012 ........................................................ 12 1.3.3.3 Newark Town Plan—2016 ............................................................................... 13 2 Statement of Objectives, Policies, and Programs ................................................................. 15 2.1 Vision Statement ............................................................................................................ 15 2.2 Growth and Development .............................................................................................. 15 2.3 Zoning, Subdivisions, and Nonregulatory Policies ......................................................... 15 3 Land Use ................................................................................................................................ 16 3.1 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Topography .................................................................................................................... 16 3.3 Geology, Bedrock, Soils, and Slopes ............................................................................... 16 3.4 Forests and Wildlife Habitat ........................................................................................... 17 3.5 Water Resources ............................................................................................................ 18 3.5.1 Headwater Areas .................................................................................................... 18 3.5.2 Rivers, Streams, and Surface Waters ...................................................................... 19 3.5.3 Wetlands and Vernal Pools ..................................................................................... 20 3.6 Present and Prospective Land Use ................................................................................. 21 3.6.1 Public Lands ............................................................................................................ 22 3.6.1.1 Town Parcels .................................................................................................... 22 3.6.1.2 State of Vermont Parcels ................................................................................. 23 3.6.1.3 The Nature Conservancy Parcel....................................................................... 23 3.6.1.4 Cemeteries ....................................................................................................... 24 1 Newark Town Plan December 14, 2016 3.6.2 Forests and the SCI Linkage .................................................................................... 24 3.6.3 Agriculture .............................................................................................................. 25 3.6.4 Residential ............................................................................................................... 26 3.6.5 Recreation ............................................................................................................... 29 3.6.6 Commerce and Industry ......................................................................................... 31 3.6.7 Historic and Cultural Features ................................................................................ 32 3.6.8 Open Spaces ............................................................................................................ 33 3.6.9 Posted Land, Parcelization, Fragmentation, and Current Use ............................... 33 3.7 Land-Use Goals ............................................................................................................... 34 4 Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Class 1—State Highways ................................................................................................ 36 4.2 Class 2—Newark Street .................................................................................................. 36 4.3 Class 3—Town Highways ................................................................................................ 37 4.4 Class 4—Town Highways ................................................................................................ 37 4.5 Legal Trails ...................................................................................................................... 38 4.6 Unidentified Corridors or “Ancient Roads” .................................................................... 38 4.7 Scenic Roads ................................................................................................................... 38 4.8 New Roads, Driveways, and Curb Cuts .......................................................................... 39 4.9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Traffic ........................................................................................ 39 4.10 Public Transportation and Ride Sharing ......................................................................... 39 4.11 Transportation Goals ...................................................................................................... 40 5 Utility and Facility Plan .......................................................................................................... 42 5.1 Town Buildings ............................................................................................................... 42 5.2 Historic Features ............................................................................................................ 42 5.3 Town and Regional Services ........................................................................................... 43 5.3.1 Road Maintenance .................................................................................................. 43 5.3.2 Hospitals and Medical Services ............................................................................... 43 5.3.3 Emergency Services ................................................................................................ 44 5.3.3.1 Rescue .............................................................................................................. 44 5.3.3.2 Fire Protection ................................................................................................. 44 2 Newark Town Plan December 14, 2016 5.3.3.3 Police Protection.............................................................................................. 46 5.3.4 Libraries ................................................................................................................... 46 5.3.5 Refuse Disposal ....................................................................................................... 46 5.3.6 Post Office ............................................................................................................... 47 5.4 Utilities ........................................................................................................................... 47 5.4.1 Water and Sewage .................................................................................................. 47 5.4.2 Electric Power ......................................................................................................... 47 5.4.3 Communication Services ......................................................................................... 47 5.5 Utility and Facility Goals ................................................................................................. 48 6 Preservation Plan ................................................................................................................... 50 6.1 Aesthetics ....................................................................................................................... 51 6.1.1 Scenery .................................................................................................................... 51 6.1.2 Noise ....................................................................................................................... 52 6.1.3 Night Sky ................................................................................................................. 53 6.2 Historic Features ............................................................................................................ 53 6.3 Rare and Irreplaceable Natural Areas