With the Super Bowl this weekend, many people are gearing up for tailgate parties. They're doing that in Shelburne too, but instead of touchdowns and yardage, the topics of conversation in Shelburne will be Route 7 and form based codes.
A press release issued by the Shelburne Planning Commission states:
Shelburne planning officials are inviting local residents and property owners to take part in a series of public meetings regarding the development of properties along the Route 7 corridor. The public input gained at the meetings — which take place February 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Shelburne’s historic Town Hall — will guide consultants hired to write new “Form Based” zoning regulations for consideration by the Selectboard. ... Some of the activities planned as part of the meeting include an opening listening session, forums on development scale and design, and technical presentations. And befitting an event that happens to coincide with Super Bowl weekend, planned activities also include a Tailgate party.
“The schedule has been planned with flexibility in mind," said Shelburne Planning Director Dean Pierce. "We want to allow people interested in the future of the town to participate in brief periods of time, such as in short discussions with the consultants, or over longer stretches.”
"The Shelburne Road corridor is in some ways the Town’s most visible economic engine. I believe Shelburne’s zoning regulations can be 'tuned up' so the engine runs more smoothly, and better development results." -Planning Commissioner Kate Lalley
According to Shelburne Planning Commissioner Kate Lalley, form based zoning regulates features, like building design and appearance, rather than dictating restrictions on land use and density, as is the case with traditional zoning regulations in Vermont. “The Shelburne Road corridor is in some ways the Town’s most visible economic engine," said Lalley. "I believe Shelburne’s zoning regulations can be ‘tuned up’ so the engine runs more smoothly, and better development results."
And for residents who can't make it to any of the weekend events, an online Visual Preference Survey is in the works. The survey will be used to gauge general preferences for different building types, landscaping features, and streetscapes.
