Feasibility Study Marks a First Step Toward an East Village Plan
by Edd Merritt

Through a $5,000 feasibility grant from the Charlotte Selectboard, Don Welch and his firm, Stone Hill Partnership, will conduct studies into the septic capacity and water supply in the area of East Charlotte Village that he is considering for development. Working with Carrie Spear, owner of Spear’s Corner Store, the two are in early stages of creating a village center around the intersection of the Charlotte/Hinesburg Road and Spear Street.
Spear says that she is pleased to see the beginning of progress toward her vision of such a center that ultimately would incorporate a mix of housing – affordable and otherwise – small businesses combining retail, office and commercial space, sidewalks, trails and open greens. She would see an expansion of her store, while maintaining the general-store flavor and local ownership, to incorporate a porch with seating as well as rental space above the building and in back, perhaps even a comfortable restaurant.
She is sensitive to the history of Baptist Corners and the role the store has played for many decades. “It’s been here for 200 years, and we’d like it to last for another 200,” Carrie says. “Yes, we’re looking for change but not to the point of it becoming detrimental to the character of the area.”
Local ownership, she feels, is key to reasonable growth. She says that she is fortunate to have the wherewithal that allows her to develop gradually and sensibly. She vows not to trade that for a quick return. Her goal is to combine profitability hand in hand with community development.
The notable features of her plan, she believes, are in keeping with those of the town as a whole. She wants to create communal space and comfortable spots for people to gather; provide jobs locally; increase opportunities to live affordably and, finally, but certainly not least important, move the project forward, which she says has been started through the Selectboard grant.
In addition to the corner store’s longevity in the area, other existing buildings also give character to the east village. The Sheehan house and barns at the four corners, Tenney’s Store to the east, to the south, the former Baptist Church, the Grange Hall and Catholic Church on one side and the Hancock building and brick residence on the other – all provide the historic framework for the neighborhood. These will remain important pieces in any development, according to Spear.
Money for the feasibility grant came through the Selectboard via the town’s Affordable Housing Committee. Drawn from an annual appropriation and administered by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee, it is the first such grant to be made. Before actually receiving the funds, Welch’s group will have to describe to the Selectboard in detail what it will do with it.