Rochester Town Plan Report Background The Rochester Planning Commission has spent the past 7 This report is in accordance with 24 months revising and re-drafting the Rochester Town Plan to V.S.A.§4384(c) which states: reflect changes necessitated by new data, new statutory “When considering an amendment to requirements and the impacts of Tropical Storm Irene. As a a plan, the planning commission shall final step in this process, the Planning Commission is prepare a written report on the required to provide a report that indicates whether or not proposal. The report shall address the proposed plan is consistent with Vermont’s Planning the extent to which the plan, as Goals, which are set forth in V.S.A., Title 24, Chapter 117, amended, is consistent with the goals §4302. Statute requires that if a newly drafted plan proposes established in §4302 of this title. alterations to the designation of any land area then they should address: • The probable impact on the surrounding area, including the effect of any resulting increase in traffic, and the probable impact on the overall pattern of land use. • The long-term cost or benefit to the municipality • The amount of vacant land which is already subject to the proposed new designation; and actually available for that purpose and the need for additional land for that purpose. • The suitability of the area in question for the proposed purpose. • The appropriateness of the size and boundaries of the area proposed for change, with respect to the area required for the proposed use, land capability and existing development in the area. The proposed Rochester Plan does not suggest changing any boundaries or land use designations; therefore this report does not need to address any of the above. Consistency with State and Regional Planning Goals A primary purpose of this Town Plan revision was to address areas of inconsistency between the Rochester Town Plan, State Planning Goals, and the Regional Plan. Two of the major additions were a Flood Resilience Element and a Forest Block Element. The resulting document is consistent with §4302, the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Plan and contains the required elements outlined in statute. Public Hearing Notice Town of Rochester The Planning Commission of the Town of Rochester will hold a hearing on the proposed revision of the Rochester Town Plan on March 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Office. The Planning Commission will accept comments at this Public Hearing. The proposal covers all lands within the Town of Rochester. Full copies of the draft Town Plan and maps are available from the Rochester Town Clerk. Below is a summary of the proposal. • Chapter 5: Housing o Established goals related to housing being safe and sanitary. • Chapter 7: Education o Included discussion about vocational training. • Chapter 8: Economic Development o Included required village designation language. • Chapter 9: Transportation o Included rail and air options for residents. • Chapter 14: Flood Resiliency o New chapter on flood resiliency in Rochester. • Chapter 15: Natural, Scenic and Cultural Resources o Added discussion and goals about air quality. • Chapter 16: Agriculture and Forestry o Added new required language on forest blocks. • Chapter 17: Relationship to Other Plans o Updated data in that pertaining to bordering Town Plans. • Town Plan Maps: Added village designation boundary to Utilities & Facilities Map, addition of Forest Block map. Dated 1/30/2018 Rochester Planning Commission Rochester Town Plan DRAFT for Planning Commission Hearing March 6, 2018 Written with assistance from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission. Draft for January 23rd PC Hearing Table of Contents I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 8 A. Background ....................................................................................................................................... 8 B. Why Have a Plan? ............................................................................................................................. 8 C. Vision Statement ............................................................................................................................... 9 D. History............................................................................................................................................... 9 E. Defining Rural Character ................................................................................................................ 11 II. Statement of Objectives, Polices and Programs .................................................................................. 12 A. Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 12 B. Policies ............................................................................................................................................ 12 C. Programs ......................................................................................................................................... 13 III. Tropical Storm Irene ....................................................................................................................... 14 IV. Demographics ................................................................................................................................. 20 A. Population ....................................................................................................................................... 20 B. Age of Population ........................................................................................................................... 21 V. Housing ............................................................................................................................................... 24 A. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 24 B. Number of Housing Units ............................................................................................................... 24 A. Rental Housing ................................................................................................................................ 27 B. Housing Affordability ..................................................................................................................... 27 C. Elder Housing ................................................................................................................................. 28 D. Housing and Land Use .................................................................................................................... 30 E. Goals, Policies and Recommendations ........................................................................................... 30 VI. Current and Future Land Use .......................................................................................................... 32 A. Land Use Plan ................................................................................................................................. 32 Business Residential Area ................................................................................................................... 32 Commercial – Agricultural Area ......................................................................................................... 33 Agricultural – Residential Area .......................................................................................................... 33 Aquifer Recharge Area ....................................................................................................................... 34 Residential – Conservation Area ......................................................................................................... 34 Flood Hazard Overlay Area ................................................................................................................ 34 B. Specific Land Use Policies ............................................................................................................. 36 Historic Sites ....................................................................................................................................... 36 2 | Page Draft for January 23rd PC Hearing Preservation of Agricultural Lands ..................................................................................................... 36 Development Above 2,500 Feet .......................................................................................................... 36 Cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service, GMNF ............................................................................ 37 Planned Unit Development ................................................................................................................. 37 VII. Education ........................................................................................................................................ 40 A. Educational Facilities ...................................................................................................................... 40 B. Adult Education .............................................................................................................................. 40 C. Student Enrollment ........................................................................................................................