Village Growth Project

Discussion Session #1 (2/1/06) – Summary

Focus Areas: Village Core & Southern Approach

Discussion Questions

1) What kinds of new uses would you like to see near the Buck Hill Road, Route 116 intersection to create an earlier sense of “arrival” when entering the village from the south? Examples: recreation fields, small residential neighborhood, commercial uses (retail stores, restaurant, bank, offices, etc.), etc.

2) Do you support new homes and businesses behind the historic “Main Street” section of Route 116 – i.e., around Lyman Park and surrounding areas?

3) Do you think the village area needs and would benefit from an assisted living facility for the elderly or disabled – possibly next to Kelly’s Field?

4) Do you think a network of new local roads, sidewalks, and access drives should be created in the existing village core to facilitate connectivity and shared parking in this area?

5) Town Green & Park – If Lyman Park were redesigned as a more formal Town Green/Common, what kinds of amenities would you like to see? What do you think about relocating the war memorials and surrounding Town Green to a new location in order to re-establish commercial use of this space (used to be a church on this corner)? Possible new locations: next to Town Hall, in redesigned Lyman Park, next to Fire Station, etc.

Major Themes (see meeting minutes for details from each discussion group)

· Improve southern approach along Route 116 with cues like landscaping, sidewalk, “Welcome to Hinesburg Village” sign, park & ride. Use these cues together with speed limit changes and traffic calming to reduce speed of traffic entering village core. Development in this gateway should be limited and residential in nature – i.e., not commercial or mixed-use.

· Keep Lyman Park functional for existing recreation uses (for both Town and School) and aesthetic appeal – i.e., don’t convert to a smaller, more formal town green. Consider landscaping improvements (trees, benches, etc.), and compatible “people-oriented” commercial uses (e.g., restaurants) around the periphery.

· War memorial area could be relocated to a more accessible and contemplative location; however, any new location needs to be prominent and visible by vehicular and pedestrian traffic. If it stays in present location, improvements are needed to make it a place people can enjoy spending time in.

· Consider alternate locations for a more formal Town Green/Common – e.g., next to or behind Town Hall or at Commerce Park. Utilize green space around HCS more fully (possible band shell).

· The community would benefit from more elderly housing and even an assisted living facility.

· Significant Traffic calming is needed. On-street parking is one of the easiest and best ways to calm traffic. On-street parking combined with increased development density in the village core will help calm traffic.

· Too many new side roads/accesses shown on the charette concept plans for the village core. Focus on on-street parking first, then begin adding side roads and shared parking – but not to the extent shown on plans. Instead of so many new roads, focus on pedestrian connectivity and convenience.

· Increased density in the village core makes sense.