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Projects: Montpelier Town Meeting, Sept 24, 2002 See the Notes - Detailed Table Reports -
TABLE 17 Housing affordability and taxes Development of Langdon Street pathway Commercial development has more cost ex. Water and sewer River - increase access; preserve river banks Financial planning for recreation services - bike path Control traffic congestion Focus on diversity, cultural and recreation centers Partnership with youth Increase Montpelier's commitment to conservation; become a model community in being "green". Lead the state! Limit franchises downtown - have locally owned businesses TABLE 19 Preserve and value open and public spaces Stabilize tax rate Smart growth rate (slower growth, small developments, do we need to grow?) Renovate and develop existing downtown buildings Tasteful parking garage (like Hanover, NH) Greater community involvement: with our kids( schools, alternative education, healthy social opportunities) Diversity of population - so "average" people can afford to live here TABLE 28 Broader community input Smart growth (balance green with commercial/residential growth) Affordable/new housing Rehabilitation of run down old houses Mixed use of downtown core Ceiling on property taxes Youth activity promotion in downtown Crime/heroin use a great concern To meet new objectives have community input on what existing expenses/service could be cut back TABLE 27 Development contained downtown to reduce cars, less pollution, public transportation Change zoning ordinances - overhaul to allow for more European style and encourage redevelopment downtown Stronger incentives to renovate old, empty buildings for housing Keep redevelopment affordable, closer, denser development Utilization of the rivers including expanding bike path BACK TABLE Encourage more pedestrian friendly traffic Area for public transport Bike lanes Ensure livable wage for all Attract more families - create affordable housing Engage youth to discourage apathy and foster connection - Youth community center Collaboration with surrounding towns - public generated 20-year plan (hub where coordination of regional towns & state efforts/programs converge) State pay more to local tax base More community forums like this Greater availability of goods & services offered in town Youth access to State House, boards, decision-makers Sensible, "smart" or planned growth Build a tax base to support existing school Preserve the scale of our community Accessibility to town (parking, bridges, traffic) Community education Substances - heroin use Utilize existing businesses Keep open space and parks Have a real representative town meeting Collaboration with surrounding towns- schools, water, sewer etc. Include surrounding communities in discussions about Montpelier growth and change. ANOTHER TABLE - A Close off State Street from Elm Street to Main Street for pedestrians only Brattleboro-style, representative town meeting Controlled growth needed Vibrant school community - activities after school Promote cluster housing Non-residents who use Montpelier should have a voice Need better zoning to protect land from huge style development Sabin's Pasture should be a park Teen coffee house needed Youth should be more involved in Montpelier City and State House issues Address heroin problem Adults should be more involved in community service ANOTHER BACK TABLE What we want in 5 years - Parking garage Affordable housing downtown Speed limit enforcement Expand bike path Heroin free city Appropriate police and fire staffing Better use of riverfront Keep National Life, New England Culinary Institute (NECI) and other employers Increase Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT)
Parking - transportation to park & rides Complete bike path/skate board park In-town development (business) in-fill buildings Elderly housing & services especially transportation - shuttles to neighborhoods Preserving open space - develop housing in-town as in-fill so that open space stays open connected to above in-town development Long-term planning for public utilities ANOTHER TABLE - B Affordable housing Sabin's pasture open to all for pleasure More action oriented park space development on river Best schools in the state, set standards Ethnic diversity and support it Teen center Dynamic shopping experience Better integration of surrounding communities Drug problems - how to address it -programs Renovate existing housing stock for affordable housing More manufacturing jobs - more big companies More town meetings like this State of Vermont to accept responsibility for Montpelier infrastructure Find a way to lower cost of living Tax issue - lower property tax Town meeting with a vote - like Brattleboro Art center Increased vigilance by architectural review board for development Extend bike path U-32 discussion to be re-opened Traffic control Senior housing increase and set standards for state ANOTHER TABLE - C Traffic - reroute through traffic, create parking outside city with shuttles, build more rotaries, time lights better Housing - improve rental units, create new units, study needs to focus development Downtown - encourage owners to improve buildings and develop all floors Employment - attract new business that offers, better paying jobs, high-tech, information services, clean industry and research/development Environment - continue scale of city, dense neighborhood development with diverse architecture Taxes - what do we do? Majority of Sabin’s Pasture open to all citizens of Montpelier and the surrounding areas for recreation, contemplation, and simply stunning aesthetic appreciation New middle school Pro-active response to becoming ethnically diverse OTHER IDEAS FROM OTHER TABLES Fill downtown vacant spaces with more diverse businesses, especially night time activities The transformation of Langdon Street - block parties into true community events, perhaps make Langdon Street pedestrian Resources - Institute for Sustainable Communities Cross walk suggestion Question the effectiveness of regional planning body Development of master plan needs to include more people Creating task forces to study different issues affecting the city - LWV used to do this kind of thing Community driven vision, not governance driven Needs for next five years - parking garage, eliminate meters, downtown housing For the future - preserving all current open spaces, make better use of current structures, better support for youth, maintain charm, smart shopping serving tourism and residents, sustainability, focus on education and the arts Pyralisk Arts Center Place for all ages to use in bad weather Cooperative co-development with surrounding towns Trains - Burlington/Montpelier and Barre/Montpelier Solid waste district partner with schools to support local food suppliers/composting Introduce "sustainability" into school curriculum Higher paying jobs Year-round "covered" farmers market Outdoor music venue Community indoor space Less car oriented downtown
Keep downtown viable Open space Set boundaries to development Full utilization downtown Infill, but out granite sheds Low interest loans for fixer uppers More enclosed space in downtown in winter City center Vision Downtown Public Works Ethics group, opportunities to get together Downtown works A Capital city that's still human Pedestrian access to shopping Ability to leave car running Best place to raise a family, schools Great alternative to California Montpelier is downtown to surrounding towns Neighborly neighbors Professional Police protection
Housing (Multi-income) development Economic Development
Vision for Montpelier How does vision compare to today
Riverfront - Empty store fronts - Support businesses (i.e. rent control) without rampant population growth and developing open spaces Middle School - new location Through city government and community effort, to enhance the vitality of Montpelier downtown while maintaining its integrity No mathematics/science visible. Science Center: beyond natural sciences More locally grown food in our schools Play parks: neighborhood parks, "pocket parks", kid-oriented Teen-focused area downtown Creative solutions for affordable housing w/out crowding downtown, testing city services Light footprint, "craft" business outside of downtown - tax incentives/zoning Downtown park /pedestrian sheet
Taxes!! More affordable housing for middle income and low income Rehab the Blanchard Block Room for improvement: Five years from today: A more holistic relationship between the city and the school system, perhaps a joint decision, plan and resources to solve the problem of building (facilities) and the identification of opportunities to draw together the disparate parts of the community. Youth - Model recovery center to deal with dealers and abusers of alcohol, marijuana, heroin and other drugs. Attitude shift. Aesthetics Downtown - flowers, trash cans year round. Rodents/trees. River as open not as building development River Walk. Affordable Housing - develop upper stories. Apartments, not offices. Public Transportation - feed into downtown - Towne Hill Road - Main Street, Elm Street, Northfield Street. Attitude shift - and walking. Jobs - Civilian Conservation Corps for unemployed teens and adults - community service. Recruit clean industry. Identify appropriate location. Entertainment - Third Thursday - Church Street model. Close parts of State and Main Streets to cars. Community - Continue to meet and talk regularly. Buy out Jeff Jacobs Vision Community Center - focus on older children and teens. Green up Main and State Streets - maintain existing trees. New trees. No drug dealers!! More jobs paying "living wage". Dialogue/Forums/Opportunities for people to talk with each other! Sprinklers in all down town buildings. Farms and permanent farmer's market. Make parking lot behind the Thrush Tavern a multi-purpose facility. Create an investment entity/community foundation to support civic needs. School and Community relationship - how to share resources. Size of households declining - how to make Montpelier attractive to families. Tax base works against young families. Montpelier discouraged "clean" industry. State Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) money. Riverfront development - make it an asset! Langdon Street river walk. Parking - need for space. Beautify! Need for mass transit, especially for non-drivers. How much regulation do we want? Issue of historic district. Educational niche- Vermont College/Union Institute, Woodbury, University of Vermont (UVM), New England Culinary (NECI) Challenges Where are we today? Role of Youth Services Bureau? - what does it do? Planted wrong trees and not enough of them. Money and tax issues. Trees not maintained. Perhaps sponsor a tree. Train people for proper maintenance. Drug problem. Employment and living wage - Education. Service industry does not pay as well. How to compete with WalMart. Issue "buying local", buying from local business. Summary Jobs - Education, Information, Agriculture and Food, Design, Legal. Housing Create annual ongoing venues for dialogue - role of town meeting. Issue of Drugs!! And potential for violence in downtown and larger community. Have an artist, poet, writer, develop/design your report. Make it easy to understand and WORK from. Summary of Themes Maintain the character of the city that keeps us here. Make room for visitors and more residents. Improve local economy without losing what we love. Character means small scale, open space, small business, arts, college. Moving Forward Tax vs. City service State ownership/Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) How do we support local business? How do local business meet our needs? Create more pedestrian spaces Bike path could help with traffic/parking Work for planned development Create local jobs People want to move here, putting pressure on local housing. Also, pressure from state housing needs during legislative session. Concerns Affordable housing. Taxes too high. Playground for young family. More walking, less cars. Bad roads. Lack of parking. Keep it unique. What are our treasures?/How to protect them? Traffic. Decline of infrastructure. Need diversity. Economic development and support for existing business. We need more appropriate development. Preserve small business. Keep open spaces. ANOTHER TABLE - I Make downtown more pedestrian friendly (public transportation, parking in perimeter) with a skateboard park and affordable housing. Affordable housing (downtown, riverside) commercial property-housing exchanges City pay livable wage Community involvement for all children - welcome teenagers in downtown TABLE 15 Socio-economic issues affecting Montpelier's growth: Housing Tax Base Sustainable development Increasing capacity to support programs into the future ANOTHER TABLE - J Improve skateboarding - "community connections" organization: adult-supervised - high involvement and responsibility from teen users (appeal to skills/learning aspect) Youth representation in government - one teen in every committee even City Council, may be non-voting but elected by peers and report back to them. Big Vision - large, year-round community center with glassed in skatepark and benches and running/walking path for everyone to enjoy LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT - not "Woodstock", affordable housing, small business campaign (shop locally - bigger issue than Montpelier.), NECI (New England Culinary Institute) build student housing, attract high-wage businesses, housing for pedestrians. How to we address the health care demon? Keep the State (and all their parking) inside their complex - Increase Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) ANOTHER TABLE - K Real recreation facility for youth and adults Infrastructure - How to pay for public works needs? Help the many with special needs Support needs for kids - activities, drugs, alcohol Can our tax base support our schools? Better paying jobs especially for the high percentage of college grads Develop a diverse population Encourage small businesses Support landlords and property owners - especially downtown Support arts and develop and arts facility Pinch of taxes - seek economic growth that fits Montpelier's size Affordable housing Keep buildings downtown full Increase access but reduce parking needs downtown Preserve pedestrian nature
We need fun (more fun) We need $$ Look for economies in school and city government through regionalization Reduce city government Encourage "in-filling" of housing i.e. encourage density, while considering other options Make city government more business friendly as a means to improve employment opportunities and downtown climate TABLE 6 Things we need to do Increase stock of affordable housing - especially develop/improve existing buildings for housing Preserve open vistas, address growing traffic problem with more public transit, concentrate on creating downtown housing Need to think about creating accessible housing Need a volunteer database - especially to create a buddy system for elders to fight isolation and address needs Also need a viable space for teens (Pyralisk) Need parking garage, need multi-modal public transportation buses/trains/bikes Need better voting access especially for those with limitations. Increase voting - need education outreach. Need more housing like Prospect Street and Pioneer Apartments. Need to provide more support for senior center. Graffiti removal, need to actively address heroin problem, control Pioneer/Barre Street traffic Break single landlord choke hold on downtown space ownership Encourage NECI (New England Culinary Institute) to provide housing for their students by rehabbing existing buildings Work on ways to welcome arriving immigrants. Need good management plan for our infrastructure: water, roads, sewer, amenities, services - live within our means, manage for the future.
Taxes - Concern about high taxes Population growth - like it the way it is Balanced tension between work and residential - people moving back into town who work here Planned response that takes into consideration all contributing factors - it's all interrelated Youth - place for older teens to go TABLE 3 Affordable housing with diversity - decrease lot sizes More visible police presence Skate park closer to town More peripheral parking with shuttle Proactive city planning with a master plan Acknowledgment and focus on drug issues/activities Actively / proactively encourage volunteerism Co-ordination between community groups Re-focus economic issues to help fill empty storefronts TABLE 4 Vision Think regional Continue regional focus on rivers Getting harder for people to live here - maintain diversity, don't become exclusive Support at-risk kids Concern for survival of small businesses - higher taxes Lower number of students - how can we support the school system? Affordable housing Continue thoughtful approach to growth, supporting rural neighbors, discouraging empty storefronts downtown, Traffic to be improved - encourage walking, biking Increase residential use of upstairs of downtown buildings Practical stores Multiculturalism, everyone feels welcomed and comfortable New junior high in next 10 years Regular forums 3-4 times/year Trees downtown Promote volunteerism - start with youngsters Neighborhood gatherings Parking To identify Montpelier's values/essence Economically viable community - sustain self without losing identity Discussion Institute for Sustainable Communities may be a resource Question effectiveness of regional planning body Development of Master Plan needs to include more people. Vision needs to be community-driven, not governance-driven Form coalitions of groups working on similar issues Create task forces to study different issues affecting the city Costs of permits to develop/build - little guys cannot play the game
Affordability - cost to own or rent Taxes are too high Small scale - love the character Preserving spaces and river Teen run coffee house or other resource More housing More business friendly climate - improve zoning and design review Schools as more of a community center Improve youth climate Solve drug crisis Improve traffic - circulation Improve parking downtown
Public space usage Community Forums Use our uniqueness as a center of the surrounding region to support economic, cultural and social activities/growth and create partnerships which lead to more connection in Montpelier and in our region. Continued work to balance limits (i.e. physical, transport, water, land, housing) with need to grow, provide services, welcome new residents, jobs, opportunity through community involvement ANOTHER TABLE - R Growth? Natural resources important - better to grow in small area than in all rural areas Needs to be at a rate that is manageable with education, administration, safety, transport Issue of growth actually costing more in the long run Will growth lead to larger tax base? Are people willing to pay for more services? Limited water supply - physical limits - 1.7M total - now 1M Limits also from rising property value and limit of those who can afford Education/creativity to resolve issues Grown can mean opportunities for families, children Use our uniqueness as a capital and center of surrounding region to support economic, cultural, social activities Form a partnership of communities e.g. community connections, Montpelier High School/U-32 High School City to complete management plan House / affordable apartments in town Support citizens combining housing and support for elderly citizens Needs for aesthetic review - beautification (trash, cigarettes) Montpelier Downtown Community Association (MDCA) & Design Review Committee Need for State (and non-governmental organizations) to provide its part as a major component of the community ANOTHER TABLE - S Jobs/economy Lower tax rates Battered women support and low-income housing Transport for the elderly Housing downtown - NECI (New England Culinary Institute) housing farther afield Continued downtown vibrancy and diversity - variety of stores, shops, arts, and sports Safe and quality schools Open space and recreation Town meetings and gatherings/public participation Reduce adversarial "win-lose" approach with respect and understanding Better use of river - pedestrian areas Reduce impact of traffic in town Affordability Parking Library, arts Need for quality shopping and small business Peace monuments - support of balance of 'needs' ANOTHER TABLE - T Robert Sherman - Welcome to our city, a place for family, children can travel through town on their own, green space, skateboarding and other kids' space in town. Improve sense of community for kids, participate with kids in community, parents and everyone else Need taxes - can't afford more non-profits Response - non-profits bring in something, but have been thinking about taxes and costs Stay affordable ANOTHER TABLE - U Create a city replacement housing provision Forget about by pass - forget about parking garage - problem is perception - people need to be able to walk Clean air Youth center - bigger, more appealing Affordable housing Bring back Midsummer Festival Fix City Hall clock Create parking on edges of town, pass system, make bus more efficient ANOTHER TABLE - V Develop near river - housing Green space State House to Winooski (take down Department of Motor Vehicles - DMV) plan in city offices that can be found - behind Thrush Tavern Use more edge parking near Walker Motor Tram? Hire Bombardier Finish bike path Green space in Sabin's pasture - establish boundaries for housing Surrounding towns can develop somewhat to take some pressure off city Living (livable wages - affordability for everyone - decent, pleasant housing ANOTHER TABLE - W Indoor places for small children and families to gather Anticipate ways to help small businesses and solos to survive Keep downtown traffic slow but safe - encourage multi-modal bikes Create incentives to encourage downtown places to live Big Themes Schools - lower property taxes Tax issues Teens Affordable housing Recreation Community voice (town meetings) Jobs/commerce ANOTHER TABLE - X Clean plan that encourages and protects small businesses, provides for development consistent with community’s need for affordable taxes, adequate services for a diverse population from young to old, and preserve Montpelier’s unique character ANOTHER TABLE - Y Vision / Challenges / Hopes Make it better, not bigger Create a range of housing diversity Dynamic, diverse, vital city Appropriate level of growth Cleaner streets Lower taxes Parking spaces increased Open spaces preserved Increase services for an aging population and for youth Fewer cars Taking care of kids in streets Health dialogue with young people More downtown visibility of police Better paying jobs Tax incentives/disincentives to promote property maintenance Obstacles to getting there Better way to budget school system More detailed city plan NIMBYism (NIMBY = Not In My Back Yard) Clear blueprint for development and permitting linked to that Development consistent with resources of community Education funding linked/reliant on property taxes Over reliance on tourism with too many low paying jobs For More Information Contact: City of Montpelier Department of Planning and Community Development 39 Main Street, City Hall Montpelier, VT 05062-2950 (802) 223-9506 planning@montpelier-vt.org Updated April 13, 2006 |
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