Planning Commission Seeks Input for East Village Plan

The Planning Commission is beginning a planning process focusing on the East Charlotte Village, which is generally considered to be the area around the intersection of Spear Street and Hinesburg Road (also known as “Baptist Corners”). This process has been discussed for many years and is identified within the current Town Plan (Village and Hamlet Strategy #2 on page 98).
The first step in the process is to determine what residents and other stakeholders desire for this area. To this end, the Planning Commission has issued a Request for Proposals from consultants who can assist with this; proposals are due by January 30.
Issues that may arise include: changing zoning districts to allow for more residential and/or commercial development; evaluating the potential for public or community infrastructure such as water and wastewater disposal; identifying resources to be protected such as farmland, surface water, groundwater and wildlife areas; and evaluating transportation patterns and strategies, including those involving automobiles, bicycles, pedestrians and buses/vans. There is also the possibility of not making any changes to current zoning, infrastructure, resource or transportation designations or strategies.
Anybody interested in learning more about the process can contact Dean Bloch, Town Planner, at 425-3533 or dean@townofcharlotte.com. Also, information will soon be available on the “Planning” page at the town’s web site at charlottevt.org.