9.2. Consistency with Title 24 VSA § 4302
A. Introduction
This final section of the Regional Plan is required by 24 VSA § 4345a(5)(G). This section
of the law requires regional planning commissions, as part of preparation of a regional plan,
to prepare a report explaining how the regional plan is consistent with the goals in 24 VSA §
4302. Section 4302 was amended in 2003 to include a thirteenth statewide planning goal
regarding affordable childcare.
This section is written on a goal-by-goal basis responding to the 13 goals of Section
4302(c). The goal as written in the law is printed first, and then a statement describing how
the Addison Region’s plan is consistent with that goal follows. Page numbers are given to
assist those reading this section in finding the pertinent parts of the plan for additional
information.
B. Consistency with Title 24 VSA § 4302
Goal 1
To plan development so as to maintain the historic settlement pattern of compact
village and urban centers separated by rural countryside.
A. Intensive residential development should be encouraged primarily in areas related to
community centers, and strip development along highways should be discouraged.
B. Economic growth should be encouraged in locally designated growth areas, or
employed to revitalize existing village and urban centers, or both.
C. Public investments, including the construction or expansion of infrastructure, should
reinforce the general character and planned growth patterns of the area.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The Regional Plan for the Addison Region “supports development patterns that will
maintain the historic character of the region, namely urban centers and villages separated by
rural countryside.” (Overall Goal A, page 1-10). The Future Land Use Map, a composite of
local future land use maps (Map 9.1-1, page 9.1-3), shows commercial uses concentrated in
village and urban centers with small amounts of strip development limited to the area south
of Middlebury and in Ferrisburgh. Several towns still have an unusual residential pattern
allowing small lots fronting directly on roads in order to preserve large tracts of agricultural
lands located to the rear of the small lots.
The Regional Plan calls for commercial development to be encouraged in locally
designated village centers (Economy Goal D, Objective 1, page 5-5). The Utilities, Facilities
and Services section of the plan contains a number of objectives that further this goal by
calling for community facilities to be located in existing settlement areas including:
healthcare facilities (Health and Safety Goal A, Objective J, page 7-57), law enforcement and
criminal justice facilities (Health and Safety Goal C, Objective F, page 7-58), fire and rescue
facilities (Health and Safety Goal D, Objective J, page 7-59), education facilities (Education
Goal C, Objective E, page 7-80), and municipal facilities (Municipal and Administrative
Facilities Goal B, Objective A, page 7-93). The plan also calls for wastewater infrastructure
to be used to support a development pattern of village centers surrounded by agricultural land
(Wastewater Goal B, Objective 3.d, page 7-7).
Goal 2
To provide a strong and diverse economy that provides satisfying and rewarding job
opportunities and that maintains high environmental standards, and to expand
economic opportunities in areas with high unemployment or low per capita
incomes.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
Goal A of the Economy section (page 5-4) calls for the Addison Region to “be an
attractive place to live, work, vacation and conduct business.” Goal B supports small- and
medium-sized, locally owned businesses. Goal C speaks to the importance of the agriculture
and forest product industries in the Addison Region. Goal D calls for the provision of
“adequate infrastructure and services to support a strong and diverse economy.”
Goal 3
To broaden access to educational and vocational training opportunities sufficient
to ensure the full realization of the abilities of all Vermonters.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
Overall Goal C (page 1-10) states that the Regional Commission will assist in providing
access to educational and vocational training opportunities that will foster full realization of
the abilities of the population in the region. The Economy section (Goal D, Objective 7, page
5-6) calls for continuing education to be available to support a productive, employable
workforce. Within the Utilities, Facilities and Services section, the Education section speaks
to supporting life-long learning for the region’s residents including access to early childhood,
vocational, technical and continuing education opportunities (pages 7-79 – 7-80).
Goal 4
To provide for safe, convenient, economic and energy efficient transportation
systems that respect the integrity of the natural environment, including public
transit options and paths for pedestrians and bicyclers.
A. Highway, air, rail and other means of transportation should be mutually supportive,
balanced and integrated.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
ACRPC, like other regional commissions, is working with the Agency of Transportation
and member municipalities to provide transportation planning on a regional basis under the
federal TEA-21 program. In addition, ACRPC was instrumental in the formation of Addison
County Transit Resources, a non-profit public transportation provider.
Transportation goals and objectives include:
A. Support growth centers (Goal B, page 6.1-6).
B. Work to improve travel safety (Goal A, Objective 1, page 6.1-5).
C. Plan for efficient functioning of the transportation network by reducing congestion.
(Goal A, Objectives 1 & 2, starting on page 6.1-5).
D. Promote the development of transportation services for disadvantaged persons, and of
alternative transportation systems, i.e. bicycle, carpool, rail, etc. (Goal A, Objective
4, page 6.1-6).
The Energy subsection contained in the Utilities, Facilities and Services section contains
several objectives related to energy conservation and transportation. This plan section
provides support for public transportation, carpooling, and bicycle and pedestrian paths to
reduce energy consumed for transportation in the region (Energy Goal B, page 7-27).
Goal 5
To identify, protect and preserve important natural and historic features of the
Vermont landscape including:
A. Significant natural and fragile areas
B. Outstanding water resources, including lakes, rivers, aquifers, shorelands and
wetlands
C. Significant scenic roads, waterways and views
D. Important historic structures, sites or districts, archeological sites and
archaeologically sensitive areas.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
a. Significant Natural and Fragile Areas
Significant natural and fragile areas are identified on the Natural Heritage Sites Map,
(Map 4.2-1, page 4.2-7) and in the listing starting on page 4.2-10. Privately owned resources
are listed starting on page 4.2-12 with the provision that more work needs to be done with the
state, with landowners and the public to determine which resources are regionally significant
and which are better protected at the local level. As noted in Natural Heritage documentation,
not all identified sites are of equal importance. Natural and fragile area policies (page 4.1-3)
encourage identification, protection and conservation of natural and fragile areas in a form
commensurate with their importance, and the degree to which protection and conservation is
necessary. The policies also encourage the maintenance and perpetuation of a diversity of
biological habitats in Addison County, and establishment and maintenance of interconnecting
wildlife corridors, including riparian buffer zones.
b. Outstanding Water Resources
Water resources policies (page 4.1-5) include policies on lakes and ponds (including
shorelands), rivers and streams, aquifers and wetlands. These policies recognize the multiple
uses of these resources, encourage the maintenance and protection of the quality of these
resources, including where they might be incrementally degraded, improvement and
monitoring of water quality, reduction in activities which cause significant impacts on the
resource, and maintenance of diverse areas of vegetation along water resources sufficient to
protect the viability of the resource.
The wetlands policies support the protection of each wetland commensurate with its
importance and the type of benefits provided, both system-wide and long-term, and also
encourage the use of AMPs, AAPs and BMPs. The policies also support a definition of
wetlands with a hydrological base. This policy is partly in response to the problem with
existing rules that include many acres of farmland in the Addison Region that have been, and
continue to be in agricultural use, but are not planted in commodity crops. Under those rules,
such land reverts to wetland status if not planted to a commodity crop during a five-year
cycle.
c. Scenic Roads, Waterways and Views
The Scenic Resources subsection, (page 4.8-1) identifies the general landscape as an
integral part of the scenic character of the region and supports continuation of working
agriculture and managed forestry practices as the most essential ingredient in maintaining the
scenic quality of the Addison Region. This would include stream and shoreland buffers as
part of riparian wildlife corridors supported in the natural areas and wildlife policies.
Ridgeline protection measures are also supported. No recommendations for Outstanding
Resource Waters or Wild and Scenic Rivers have been made in this plan.
d. Historic and Archeological Resources
We are indeed fortunate in the Addison Region to have excellent background
documentation of both historic and archeological resources. The Cultural Resources section
of the plan recognizes the importance of The Historic Architecture of Addison County as a
resource to document the historic values of structures should a municipality wish to establish
an historic district or in other ways recognize and preserve their historic heritage (page 4.7-
1). Policy 7 (page 4.1-13) encourages the conservation of historic resources, including the
adaptive reuse of historic structures and townscapes. Policy 3 supports a regional consortium
of local historical societies to promote regional efforts at preservation. Policy 9 encourages
responsible ownership and protection of historic resources and Policy 10 directs the
commission to assist municipalities in their efforts to establish local strategies and tools to
protect historic resources.
Policies 12 and 13 recognize the work done by Jack Rossen, together with the Division of
Historic Preservation and the Middlebury District of the USDA Soil Conservation Service, to
identify areas rich in archeological resources and to prepare archeological sensitivity maps to
aid property owners and municipalities in making decisions related to archeological
preservation.
The Historic and Cultural subsection of the Utilities, Facilities and Services section of
the plan calls for the historic and cultural resources of the region to continue to be preserved
while remaining vital components of their communities. Objectives in this section speak to
supporting locally designated historic districts, initiatives like Downtown/Village Center
programs, protection and research of archaeological resources, and adaptive reuse of historic
structures (Historic and Cultural Resources Goal A, page 7-92).
Goal 6
To maintain and improve the quality of air, water, wildlife and land resources.
A. Vermont's air, water, wildlife, mineral and land resources should be planned for use
and development according to the principles set forth in 10 VSA § 6086(a).
ACRPC Plan Consistency
Air quality is not extensively addressed in the plan due to the fact that it is perceived to
be a less serious problem in the Addison Region than other problems. The plan's Overall
Vision Statement and Overall Goal F support maintenance of a high quality of air, water and
soil. The Economy section supports smaller and home-based industries rather than larger,
heavy industry that may have more processing byproducts that impact air and water (Goal B,
page 5-4).
Water quality protection is addressed in Policies 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 12 starting on page
4.1-5 of the plan. These policies all support maintenance and protection of water resources
and of water quality by various means and techniques. The Economy section promotes the
provision of infrastructure including water, sewer and transportation facilities to support
industry. (Goal D, page 5-5).
Wildlife and mineral resources are included in the Natural Resources Section of the plan.
The Wildlife subsection (starting on page 4.3-1) provides considerable information about
major wildlife species in the region such as deer, bear, fisheries, and re-introduced species
such as the peregrine falcon. The wildlife policies (page 4.1-4) support protection and
conservation of significant habitat and the siting of development to protect and conserve
adjoining areas of significant wildlife habitat (Policy 2). Policy 5 supports the establishment
of interconnecting wildlife corridors, including riparian buffer zones.
The Minerals subsection identifies existing and potential sources of sand and gravel,
supports assisting municipalities in making provisions for local sources to reduce costs and
transportation impacts, discusses problems with permitting these resources and offers
suggestions to aid municipalities in their review. The element also recognizes conflicts
existing with streambed deposits of sand and gravel. Marble is recognized as the only other
economic resources in the region.
Goal 7
To encourage the efficient use of energy and the development of renewable energy
resources.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The Energy subsection of the Utilities, Facilities and Services section of the plan (starting
on page 7-25) provides information about the energy infrastructure, supply, demand,
generation and transmission within the region. The Energy subsection contains goals and
objectives that speak both to energy conservation and to utilizing local resources for local
energy generation and distributed transmission (pages 7-27 – 7-28). Goal A, Objective D
supports efforts to reduce energy costs for the region’s farms through development of farmbased
energy sources such as biogas and biodiesel. Goal B, Objective 2.C encourages
municipalities to adopt and enforce building codes to increase energy efficiency to the
Vermont Energy Star Homes program standard. The plan also calls for local businesses to
utilize the resources available through Efficiency Vermont to reduce their energy
consumption (Goal B, Objective 1.E).
Goal 8
To maintain and enhance recreational opportunities for Vermont residents and
visitors.
A. Growth should not significantly diminish the value and availability of outdoor
recreational activities.
B. Public access to noncommercial outdoor recreational opportunities, such as lakes and
hiking trails, should be identified, provided and protected wherever appropriate.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The Utilities, Facilities and Services section of the plan contains a Recreation subsection
(Recreation Goal C, page 7-93). The objectives of that section include supporting public
access to the region’s navigable waterways, and safe access for walking and biking on main
roads. The plan also calls for municipalities to retain control over unused road and rail rightof-
ways, Class 4 roads and similar resources to provide opportunities for trail systems
throughout the region.
The Natural Resources section of the plan contains references to recreational
opportunities in the region as well.
Goal 9
To encourage and strengthen agricultural and forest industries.
A. Strategies to protect long-term viability of agricultural and forest lands should be
encouraged and should include maintaining low overall density.
B. The manufacture and marketing of value-added agricultural and forest products
should be encouraged.
C. The use of locally grown food products should be encouraged.
D. Sound forest and agricultural management practices should be encouraged.
E. Public investment should be planned so as to minimize development pressure on
agricultural and forestland.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The Agricultural subsection of the plan addresses the importance of agriculture as part of
the culture, the landscape and the economy of the region. It acknowledges interfaces and
conflicts with other resources and supports programs such as AAPs, BMPs, Integrated Crop
and Integrated Pest Management. Agricultural policies encourage the protection of the
quality and quantity of agricultural lands as a critical mass in tracts of sustainable size
(Policy 2, page 4.1-9). Municipalities are encouraged to plan carefully to maintain
agricultural lands, including the use of a LESA rating system if appropriate. Protection from
nuisance suits is supported, as is clustered development and the placement of development so
as to avoid negative impacts on farmland and farm management. Recognizing that
agriculture exists only as long as the economics work, the plan encourages use value
taxation, support of value-added processing of local products, diversification of agriculture,
and research and development of better science and technology, while maintaining the
biodiversity within agricultural lands.
The Forest Resources Section of the plan (starting on page 4.6-1) includes the same or
similar policies that encourage the maintenance of the forest industry in the Addison Region.
While less broadly spread over the region, forested lands form the backdrop of the region's
landscape and are also important economically as timber producers. The Future Land Use
Map shows forestlands primarily designated as Forest Conservation or low-density (10+
acres) Residential, except for Lincoln which has 1 acre zoning. Lincoln also has a sewage
ordinance that is very strictly enforced, providing a limited number of large lots for
residential uses.
Agricultural lands in Weybridge, Panton, Shoreham, Whiting, Starksboro, Ripton and
Goshen are primarily designated for large lots (over 10 acres). Most municipalities have a
provision for Planned Unit Development in their bylaws, although it is not commonly used.
To date septic considerations have effectively controlled intensive development, but have
resulted in piecemeal fragmentation of agricultural lands. The changes in the Wastewater
Rules may have an impact on this in the future and the impact of the changes to the
Wastewater Rules should be monitored and reported.
Policies in both Forestry (5) and agriculture (6) support local processing of value added
products. Goal C of the Economy section (page 5-5) also supports local use of local products
and of value added products. Both forestry and agricultural lands sections support AAPs,
AMPs and BMPs (Policy 4, page 4.1-11; Policy 7, page 4.1-9).
Both forest and agricultural policies support retention of critical mass and of sustainable
tracts of resource land. The Economy section supports the location of economic growth in
areas where infrastructure is available, which, in the Addison Region is generally in the
larger village centers. Overall Goal A, page 1-10 of the plan, supports development patterns
that will maintain the historic character of the region, namely urban centers and villages
separated by rural countryside. Goal B (page 6.1-6) of the Transportation section is to ensure
that the regional transportation system furthers the region's objectives regarding land use,
particularly that it implements the growth areas concept and discourage sprawl. The Utilities
and Facilities Section, calls for wastewater treatment infrastructure to be used to support the
regional goal of encouraging development that follows the traditional pattern of village
centers surrounded by agricultural land (Goal B, Objective 3.d, page 7-7). This policy taken
together with the urban center/rural countryside Goal A on page 1-10 of the plan, Policies 2
and 8 in the Agricultural Lands section, and Policies 3 and 9 in the Forestry Section direct
major public investment in infrastructure away from agricultural and forest lands.
Goal 10
To provide for the wise and efficient use of Vermont's natural resources and to
facilitate the appropriate extraction of earth resources and the proper restoration
and preservation of the aesthetic qualities of the area.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The commission has examples of materials that municipalities may use as part of their
review process for mineral extraction. Reclamation materials, including a resource for
vegetative covers, are included in the Mineral Resources Section.
Goal 11
To ensure the availability of safe and affordable housing for all Vermonters.
A. Housing should be encouraged to meet the needs of a diversity of social and income
groups in each Vermont community, particularly for those citizens of low and
moderate income.
B. New and rehabilitated housing should be safe, sanitary, located conveniently to
employment and commercial centers, and coordinated with the provisions of
necessary public facilities and utilities.
C. Sites for multi-family and manufactured housing should be readily available in
locations similar to those generally used for single-family conventional dwellings.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The Housing section (beginning on page 3-20) relies on current data documenting the
continuing need for low and moderate-income housing. Its goals and policies support the
provision of safe, affordable and decent housing for all present and future residents of the
region (Goal A page 3-21). Goal A, Policy 2 focuses on safe housing, including the
upgrading of substandard housing and of failing on-site sewage systems. Goal A, Policy 3
discusses energy efficiency and promotes housing located near employment, commercial and
service centers. Goal A, Policy 5 encourages housing that is compatible with existing
community character and that follows traditional settlement patterns.
Goal 12
To plan for, finance and provide an efficient system of public facilities and services
to meet future needs.
A. Public facilities and services should include fire and police protection, emergency
medical services, schools, water supply and sewage and solid waste disposal.
B. The rate of growth should not exceed the ability of the community and the area to
provide facilities and services.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
The Regional Plan provides information on all the community facilities and services
listed in Goal 12(A) in its Utilities, Facilities and Services section. This section of the plan
provides factual information about a broad range of community resources as well as
associated policy statements. The goals and objectives of each subsection frequently call for
local planning or capital budgeting for and cost-effective and efficient provision of needed
facilities and services including: water supply (Goal A, Objective 3.A and 3.F, page 7-6),
wastewater (Goal B, Objective 3.A through 3.F, page 7-7), solid waste (Goal C, Objective
3.A and 3.E, page 7-8), fire and rescue (Goal D, Objective E, page 7-58), education (Goal A,
page 7-79), and municipal facilities (Goal B, Objectives C and E, page 7-93).
Goal 13
To ensure the availability of safe and affordable child care and to integrate child
care issues into the planning process, including child care financing,
infrastructure, business assistance for child care providers, and child care work
force development.
ACRPC Plan Consistency
This is a new statewide planning goal as of July 2003. With the 2004 revision to the
Economy section and the 2005 revision to the Utilities, Facilities and Services section,
ACRPC began the process of integrating this goal into its Regional Plan. The Economy
section calls for the provision of high-quality, affordable childcare to meet the needs of the
region’s working parents (Goal D, Objective 6, page 5-6). Within the Human Services
subsection of the Utilities, Facilities and Services section, the plan speaks to the need for
quality, affordable childcare and encourages the region’s employers to work together to
improve access to childcare for their employees (Goal B, Objectives D and E, page 7-57).
The plan also supports provision of early childhood education opportunities in Education
Goal B, Objective A on page 7-79.
