Public Hearing Notice: Town of Springfield Vermont Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on May 3, 2017 at 7:00 PM at 96 Main St., 3rd Floor, Town Hall, Springfield, VT. The Planning Commission proposes edits and amendments to all Chapters, Maps and Appendices of the Town Plan resulting in a new Town Plan. Purpose of this public hearing is to receive public input on the proposed amendments to any and all Chapters, maps and Appendices of the Town Plan for the Town of Springfield in accordance with 24 VSA §4384. Copies of the proposed amendments are available at the Town of Springfield office of the Town Clerk, and may be found on the Town of Springfield website: www.Springfieldvt.govoffice2.com under “TOWN PLAN” on the Home Page. You may call the Administrative Officer for further information at Tel. 885 2104. This public hearing may be continued monthly until the amendments are adopted by the Planning Commission and the resulting new Plan recommended to the Board of Selectmen for adoption. Walter Clark, Chair Springfield Planning Commission Planning Commission Reporting Form for Municipal Plan Amendments In accordance with 24 V.S.A. §4384, the Planning Commission for the Town of Springfield, Vermont is holding a public hearing to get input on proposed updates to the Springfield Town Plan on May 3, 2017 at 7 p.m. located in the Town Offices at 96 Main Street, Springfield Vermont. The last time that the Town Plan was substantially updated was in 2014. Many of the amendments from that Plan to the proffered Plan deal with a renewed emphasis on economic growth and aesthetics and upkeep of houses and structures and making residential neighborhoods comfortable, useful and attractive to residents State planning laws have also changed since then, now requiring additional town plan elements. The Planning Commission has worked on these amendments over the past 12 months of public meetings involving many residents on the Town in the areas of Land Use, Conservation, Energy, Economic development, Schools, Housing, Historic Places and Structures and the Arts and Culture and Health. The following proposed 2017 Springfield Town Plan is hereby presented for review and consideration by residents. Significant changes included in this proposed 2017 Springfield Town Plan include: • Input from many resident with interests in some or all of the following areas of discussion: Land Use, Conservation, Energy, Economic Development, Schools, Housing, Historic Places and Structures and the Arts and Culture and Health. • Updated data and information. • New maps were developed using the most currently available data. • Added new required town plan elements, including flood resilience and economic development. • Added new Health Chapter • Expanded or added details per town plan requirements under 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117, including economic resources and encouraging the growth of local industries, health resources and expnse of employment opportunities in the health field, Health Chapter, Energy Chapter, consistency with State Planning Goals, compatibility with the Regional Plan and the plans of other municipalities. • Updated housing data and affordability analysis based upon available data. • Made changes to the future land use section and map in order to better reflect land use patterns and zoning district boundaries, and to promote economic development, reduce impingement of residential use on business endeavors, and promote healthy neighborhoods. 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. These changes are being proposed, in part, to make substantial progress toward attainment of the State Planning Goals. The following summarizes the changes being proposed in order to address this standard of review: 1. Land Use: This goal is addressed through a combination of factors, including future land use designations and the protection of natural resources. The plan is meant to encourage growth and development in the community centers of downtown and North Springfield village with residential patterns centered on those two areas, and continue to maintain infrastructure to primarily served the currently more densely developed centers. 2. Economic Development: The new Economic Development Chapter clearly articulates how this goal pertains to Springfield. The Town Plan encourages small businesses within the villages, as well as 1 development of retail/professional/service industry businesses in the River Street/Main Street/Clinton Street General and Central business areas, and Commercial/Industrial adaptive re-use of empty large former industrial buildings in the Commercial-Industrial and Industrial Zones of the Town. 3. Education: The plan discusses educational and vocational opportunities and expansion into specialties suited to Springfield, such as the Health Industry careers. 4. Transportation: The transportation touches all aspects of local transportation. This would include the promotion and expansion of the Hartness Airport, access management for highway safety and efficient traffic circulation, as well as public transportation, bike/pedestrian paths and a walkable Springfield. 5. Natural, Scenic, and Historic Resources: Maps and descriptions are included, together with policies designed to promote preservation/conservation. An emphasis has been placed on the Black River its beauty and access to the river for recreations, as well as a desire to design regulation of the stream bank areas, so that use of the river is not unduly, adversely curtailed. 6. Air, Water, Wildlife, and Land Resources: These areas of interest and concern were well treated in the 2014 Plan. All proposed edits of the Natural and Scenic Resources, the Land Use and Recreation Chapters primarily and secondarily in the Recreation Chapter. The amendments to the Plan reinforce policies related to protection of these resources. 7. Energy: The Energy Chapter is completely new to address new power sources, as well as energy efficiency and the use of natural resources for power generation. 8. Recreation: The few amendments recognize improvements in facilities and in the delivery of fine recreational opportunities to the residents. 9. Agriculture and Forestry: The 2014 Plan well addressed issues important to the Agricultural and Forest industries, this plan enhances the encouragement of the development of these resources and continues to encourage preservation of the rural landscape where agriculture and forestry endeavors thrive. 10. Efficient use of natural resources/extraction and restoration of earth resources: The Land Use and Natural and Scenic Resources Chapters address these issues and provide direction that allows for economic development which respects the efficient use of natural resources. 11. Safe and affordable housing: Proposed data and related updates are proposed to address this goal. 12. Community Facilities and Services: Discussion about addressing or financing future needs relative to anticipated growth trends, as well as maintenance of current infrastructure needed to provide the services for Springfield are adequately presented in the Plan, particularly in the Utilities and Facilities Chapter. 13. Child Care: This necessary and highly appreciated asset is well treated in the Education Chapter. 14. Flood Resilient Communities: A new Flood Resilience Chapter was introduced to this Plan to address flood and fluvial erosion hazards and strategies for protecting life and property. If the proposal would alter the designation of any land area, the report should cover the following points: There is no proposal to alter the designation of any land area, but there are small changes suggested for the already allowed uses in the Town. 1. 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. 2 The proposed changes to the will not have drastic impacts on the overall pattern of land use. Indeed, in an attempt to be more accommodating and user-friendly to business development, while preserving the rural areas of Town, the impacts should be positive for development and the environment. 2. The long-term cost or benefit to the municipality, based upon consideration of the probable impact on: (A) the municipal tax base; and The Planning Commission does foresee any change, except that commercial/industrial growth, which is encouraged, could ameliorate the burden on residential properties. (B) the need for public facilities; New public facilities are not anticipated. 3. The amount of vacant land which is: (A) already subject to the proposed new designation; and No change. (B) actually available for that purpose, and the need for additional land for that purpose. Not applicable. 4. The suitability of the area in question for the proposed purpose, after consideration of: (A) appropriate alternative locations; (B) alternative uses for the area under consideration; and (C) the probable impact of the proposed change on other areas similarly designated Minor edits that will positively impact life and environment town-wide and no changes in use. 5. 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