Commentaries
September 22, 2011, page 2.....
ECOS Workshops by Mary Illick and David Raphael, and Industrial Solar Inappropriate at Thompson's Point by Robert Bloch

Charlotters, Be Part of the Solution!
Participate in the ECOS Planning Workshops

Charlotte residents are urged to attend two upcoming public workshops that are designed to give Chittenden County citizens an opportunity to weigh in on shaping the future of our Burlington metro area and Chittenden County. The workshop results will directly inform the Burlington Legacy Plan update, the county-wide ECOS sustainability plan, and the Chittenden County Regional Plan update. This three year sustainability plan project is being funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The workshops are designed to have citizens help articulate a common vision for the future of Chittenden County, its towns and the Burlington metro area that is inclusive and equitable. Overlapping planning themes include the built and natural environment, the economy and employment, housing, transportation, energy, health and education. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide their expertise and input through interviews, group conversations, and interactive mapping. The success of these projects will be based, in part, on the input and guidance of the broader community, thus all residents, business people and interested citizens are encouraged to participate.

 The first workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 28, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. at the Champlain Senior Center/McClure Multigenerational Center at 214 N. Winooski Ave. in Burlington.

The second workshop will be held on Thursday, September 29, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. at the Williston Town Hall Meeting Room located at 7900 Williston Road in Williston.
Dinner will be provided with delicious local food and childcare will also be available.
 Comments on the ECOS draft goals will be accepted online until September 30. To provide comments online, go to the ECOS project web page ecosproject.com, click on “Join the Conversation” then “Get Started.”  If you don’t have access to, several computers are available at the Charlotte Library.

 Charlotte’s representatives on the ECOS steering committee are Marty Illick and Charles Russell. The committee has been meeting for several months, developing goals and sustainability indicators that will guide plan development and selection of implementation projects. E-mail questions to davidr@landworksvt.com or call 388-3011.

   - Marty Illick  and David Raphael

About the ECOS Project:
Chittenden County, Vermont is the recipient of a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program, which helps to enable more livable and sustainable communities. This is a once-in-a generation opportunity to have a broad community conversation about the future of our region. The process will take place over the course of three years, culminating with updates to the County’s most important planning documents and implementation of sustainable community grant awarded projects.
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Industrial Solar is Inappropriate at Thompson’s Point

In addressing this issue first let me disclose that I am vulnerable to accusations of NIMBY by virtue of the fact that I am both a Charlotte resident and a Thompson’s Point camp owner. That being said, I believe the proposed location of the 14 large solar panels in the heart of the Thompson’s Point community is ill-advised and inappropriate.

The town has always made it clear that Thompson’s Point is intended to be lightly used, and that every effort should be made and has been made to preserve its unique beauty and bucolic character, for the benefit not only of camp owners, who contribute a large portion of town revenues, but for the many townspeople who use “the Point” for wonderful walks, cross country skiing and other recreation.

That’s why Thompson’s Point remains in light, seasonal use when some have argued that the town could profit greatly by selling it. That’s why tree cutting (down to one inch in diameter) is subject to the strictest regulation by the town and why any improvements to camps are subject to strict architectural review. This process has led to camp owner proposals to update their camps being rejected on the basis of purely aesthetic judgment. This is why when the town supported development of a community septic system for Thompson’s Point, a significant investment was made in landscaping that would mitigate the aesthetic negatives of such an installation in the middle of the field. In the last year or so this landscaping has finally matured.
Large solar installations are becoming more commonplace on our landscape, and it is hard not to support them, despite their questionable economics, as an investment in the future. These installations may make sense in a commercial setting or at location in which the visual scale and intrusiveness are less of an issue. The solar installation alongside Route 7 in Vergennes is a good example of a more appropriate site for solar panels.

In Charlotte, there are several locations that have the benefit of limited shade, without the negatives of the proposed Thompson’s Point location. The Burns property along Route 7 or the grassy field behind Town Hall come to mind. Both have the advantage of being more consistent with nearby development. Also, they provide greater public visibility to demonstrate to a wider audience the Town’s commitment to sustainable energy.

Robert W. Bloch