Hinesburg Village Steering Committee

June 11, 2007-07-09

 

Members Present: George Dameron, Donna Constantineau, Rolf Kielman, Dona Walker, Karla Munson

Members Absent: Brian Busier, Tracy Applin

 

  1. Minutes from the May 14th Meeting had not been prepared and were not acted on.
  2. Transportation: Karla Munson was congratulated for her efforts in successfully obtaining the United We Ride grant of 30K. Terms are to be discussed and measures for proceeding to be discussed at June 12 meeting in Hinesburg.
  3. Affordable housing survey going out in September. Presentation scheduled at the Church this Thursday. To be facilitated by Interfaith Group.
  4. Traffic Control issues: ongoing
  5. Village Growth Project: VSC members continuing to support and advise efforts of the Planning Commission. Meeting on July 12th to review South Burlington efforts with regard to pro-active planning and creation of an Official Map plan. Karla stated that the densities being discussed for residential districts in the expanded village were too dense. Creekside is 7 units per acre and that seemed dense enough according to Karla. Traffic also a concern given the proposed densities. Rolf stated that Holland has 900 people per square mile and that dense growth in the Village would allow conservation of farm and natural areas and concentrate infrastructure needs. VSC continues to express support for infill projects and the need for new roads and sidewalks. Pedestrian connections very important.
  6. Design Standards also discussed and George reiterated need to express VSC opinions for inclusion with the Village Growth Plan. Compatibility with existing buildings stressed as well as proportion, scale and materials. These need to be expressed in the new plan.
  7. Monument relocation to Town Hall area discussed
  8. Town Green: VSC to continue to advocate for creation of a Town Green within walking distance of core village services and schools. Commerce Park location discussed. Rolf to formulate rough plan for discussion at next meeting (see attached).
  9. Agenda for July 12 meeting: react to PC work; plan for signage, monument and town green proposal.

 

Respectfully submitted by:

 

Rolf Kielman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town Green Proposals/discussion

 

For this evenings meeting the VSC might discuss alternative locations for a proposed town green for the Village of Hinesburg. I would propose that there are several locations worthy of consideration but some of these are more “better” than others. Please feel free to posit other locations.

 

  1. Area behind Lantmans: area seems large enough, parking nearby, use by school could be a problem; not visible from any major roads; quiet for music performances; easy walk from most parts of the village; could use another point of vehicular access; subject to neighbour opposition; difficult to co-locate other town amenities such as library, multigenerational structure.
  2. Area behind Town Hall: Area seems large enough; displaces playing fields; quiet for music; sometimes drainage a problem; parking ok; easy walking distance; not visible; difficult to co-locate other town amenities such as library, multigenerational structure; not visible from any major roads.
  3. Commerce Park: area large enough; current surroundings somewhat unpleasant; co-location of library etc. easy to do along 116; parking could be made to work; nice central location; ground wet requires drainage strategy; reasonably quiet for music; alongside Mechanicsville Road.
  4. Area just to south of Patrick Brook alongside 116: area large enough; current surroundings wide open; co-location of library etc. easy to do along 116 by current Police Station; parking could be made to work; not as central location currently; ground wet requires drainage strategy; reasonably quiet for music if back from 116; visible from 116.
  5. Area just north of Patrick Brook to south of Riggs Home: area large enough; current surroundings wide open; co-location of library etc. along 116; parking could be made to work; not as central location currently; ground wet requires drainage strategy; reasonably quiet for music if back from 116; visible from 116.

 

We could continue to consider other locations further North but these all seem to get further away from the current Village Center. Please discuss these options and I will try to prepare graphic materials to support that discussion for presentation to the PC.