PROJECT SUMMARY

 

US EPA Sustainable Development Challenge Grant

 

VERMONT INTERSTATE INTERCHANGE PLANNING PROJECT

 

 

Background

Vermont’s interstate highway system is a valuable public asset, providing the backbone for the state’s transportation network and serving as an engine for economic growth.  Vermont’s interstate system is also a tourist gateway to the state, offering travelers a scenic window onto Vermont’s natural and cultural landscape. While many communities have benefited from the opportunities provided by the interstate highways, some have also encountered unanticipated challenges. Large-scale commercial development close to some interchanges has led to increased congestion and accidents, reduced levels of service along the intersecting state and local roads, and increasing public costs of mitigating these impacts.  There is also growing concern that the dispersed, auto-dependent growth patterns emerging at many interchanges may have detrimental impacts on economic vitality of Vermont’s traditional downtowns and villages as well as negative impacts on Vermont’s scenery, environmental quality, and quality of life.

 

Overall Project Description

Since 1999 Vermont has worked to support local and regional planning efforts to address land uses around interstate interchanges.  In 2001 the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) was awarded a Sustainable Development Challenge Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency. In partnership with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, (ANR), Regional Planning Commissions and several municipalities, DHCA used the grant funds to support:

  1. Community planning projects at four different interchange communities, including Colchester (I-89, Exit 17), Richmond (I-89, Exit 11), Berlin (I-89, Exit 6,7), and Randolph (I-89, Exit 4);
  2. Natural resources inventories in each of these interchange areas;
  3. GIS Mapping for every interchange area;
  4. Publication of guidebook, Design Guidelines for Planning and Development at Vermont’s Interstate Interchanges.

 

All grant products can be reviewed on the DHCA website.

 

Summary of Project Elements 

 

1) Community Planning Projects

 

Colchester, I-89 Exit 17.  The town of Colchester has planned for a growth center near Exit 17.  These grant funds helped assess the viability of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Options for the Exit 17 interchange area.  The report, developed by Stone Environmental Inc., was completed in March 2003.  This project was led by the Colchester Planning Commission, with involvement from area landowners. The project included a build-out for the growth center and an assessment of the viability of on-site systems in order to accommodate a future growth center for the Exit 17 area.

 

Richmond, I-89 Exit 11.   In an effort to address unsuccessful conservation efforts at the scenic Exit 11, the town of Richmond used these grant funds to analyze the key issues affecting conservation easement transactions at interstate interchanges.  The Challenges of Purchasing Development Rights in Transportation Corridors: Lessons from Vermont and Beyond was completed in April 2003. The study was conducted by a consultant team, Economic and Policy Resources and Bidwell Associates.  Advisory support for the study was provided by the town administrator, interested community members, the Vermont Land Trust, and DHCA. The report, which includes a primmer on conservation easements, in addition to findings and recommendations, is a useful resource for local and state officials working in the area of land use planning and conservation.

 

Berlin, I-89 Exit 6 & 7.   As a follow-up to growth center planning efforts near Exit 7, the Berlin Planning Commission used these grant funds to conduct a build-out study and impact analysis of development at two Berlin interchanges.  The Berlin Interchanges Build Out Analysis was produced by Wilbur Smith Associates, and completed in December 2003.  The project generated a significant amount of public involvement, and resulted in a change in the town’s plan for a future growth center.  The project has subsequently stimulated additional community discussion and planning activity.

 

Randolph 1-89, Exit 4.   The scenic Exit 4 interchange in Randolph has been the subject of community discussion and planning for several years. This project sought to develop a vision and plan for future development around Exit 4 using the “CommunityViz” technology (available through support of the Orton Family Foundation). The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission provided technical support and public involvement assistance to a local Exit 4 Steering Committee. The project involved substantial public participation and resulted in several products, including: a three-dimensional representation of the future development scenario developed by the Exit 4 committee; draft model regulations for the interchange, in order to implement the preferred future development scenario; siting of a park & ride facility; and an access management plan for the state road (Route 66) traversing the interchange.  These are currently under consideration for incorporation into the town plan.  This project, in particular the planning process, was successful at bringing stakeholders together and developing a future development scenario agreeable to a variety of stakeholders. 

 

2) Natural Resource Inventories

 

On-site inventories were conducted for the interchange areas of each of the four partner communities.  Critical natural resources were evaluated and mapped by Arrowwood Environmental, Inc.  The final documents were sent to the Conservation Commissions (where available) in the four communities within the study. 

3) GIS Analysis and Mapping

 

GIS maps and land use analysis for each of the 52 interstate interchange areas were conducted by DHCA.  These are compiled in a notebook and are available for review in the DHCA office.

 

4) Design Guidelines for Interchange Planning

 

In an effort to address future growth at interchange areas the DHCA developed a guidebook for planning and development at interstate interchanges.  The Design Guidelines are intended for use by municipalities, land developers and public officials.  The guidebook seeks to promote growth at interchanges that is consistent with state land use goals and other state policy initiatives.  The guidebook was created to be a resource for understanding growth patterns by visualizing the pattern of land use that may occur without meaningful planning, and by illustrating a more compact and land efficient design for development.

 

The Design Guidelines project included: a land use inventory of each interchange area; a photographic catalogue and scenic analysis of every interchange; categorization of the 52 interchanges into 6 “typologies”; a build-out (based on existing regulatory and land use conditions) of five interchanges and corresponding  “alternative growth scenarios” for future development in those areas based on smart growth principles; and implementation strategies including planning and design guidelines.  The project also included substantial public involvement including a state-wide advisory committee to offer oversight and review for the product, focus groups for gaining a wide array of perspectives, and public presentations and review of draft guidelines. 

 

The Guidelines can also be downloaded and printed from our website or can be mailed upon request.  For a copy please contact Wendy Tudor: (802) 828-5249 or wendy.tudor@state.vt.us.