Are you interested in a specific topic?
Click on a category below to be brought right to that section.
|
|
All events held at the CCRPC unless otherwise noted.
MAY
5/2, 9:00am: CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
5/2, 11:00am: CCRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting
5/2, 12:30pm: CCRPC MS-4 Sub-Committee Meeting
5/2, 7:00pm: North Williston Road Scoping Study Local Concerns Meeting (Williston Town Hall)
5/3, 5:45pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting
5/8, 3:00pm: CCRPC Brownfields Advisory Committee Meeting
5/10, 2:00pm: CCRPC Planning Advisory Committee Meeting
5/11, 8:30am: CCRPC Long-Range Planning Committee Meeting
5/17, 6:00pm: CCRPC Board Meeting
|
Around the County: Photo of the Month
|
Click photo to enlarge.
A rainbow peeks through the clouds in Charlotte on Easter Sunday.
Photo by Lee Krohn
|
Chittenden County Traffic Alert Program
Construction season is just around the corner! Sign up for the CCRPC's Chittenden County Traffic Alert to stay in the know about all the latest construction projects, possible delays, and other important alerts throughout the busy construction season.
|
Green Up Day 2017: Saturday, May 6
Since 1979, the non-profit organization Green Up Vermont proudly carries on the tradition of Green Up Day. It is an annual statewide event, when over 22,000 volunteers come together to remove litter from Vermont's roadsides and public spaces.
|
Volunteer with Neighbor Rides
Neighbor Rides is a strategic initiative of United Way of Northwest Vermont supported by a dynamic group of community partners that brings people and places together to help meet the transportation needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. This partnership uses volunteer drivers to leverage government and community-funded transportation programs and help more people by decreasing the cost per ride.
|
CCRPC
Commission Representatives
Bolton: Joss Besse
Buel's Gore: Garret Mott
Burlington: Andy Montroll
Charlotte: Jim Donovan
Colchester: Marc Landry
Essex: Jeff Carr
Essex Junction: Dan Kerin
Hinesburg: Andrea Morgante
Huntington: Barbara Elliott
Jericho: Catherine McMains
Milton: Henry Bonges (Alt.)
Richmond: Bard Hill
Shelburne: John Zicconi
South Burlington: Chris Shaw
St. George: Jeff Pillsbury
Underhill: Brian Bigelow
Westford: Dave Tilton
Williston: Chris Roy,
Chair
Winooski: Michael O'Brien,
Vice Chair
For more information, including Commission agendas and minutes, schedule and resources,
click here.
|
Charlie Baker, Executive Director
Cathy Aikman, CCOA Project Director
Dan Albrecht, Senior Planner
Pam Brangan, GIS Data & IT Manager
Jason Charest, Senior Transportation Planning Engineer
Eleni Churchill, Transportation Program Manager
Forest Cohen, Business Manager
Bryan Davis, Senior Transportation Planner
Marshall Distel, Transportation Planner
Chris Dubin, Transportation Planner
Bernie Ferenc, Transportation Business Manager
Sam Francis-Fath, CCOA Data Manager
Christine Forde, Senior Transportation Planner
Peter Keating, Senior Transportation Planner
Lee Krohn, AICP, Senior Planner
Regina Mahony, Planning Program Manager
Melanie Needle, Senior Planner
Emily Nosse-Leirer, Planner
Sai Sarepalli, Transportation Planning Engineer
Michelle Thibault-Hatch, Finance Assistant
Emma Vaughn, Communications Manager
|
|
|
|
|
Good afternoon,
On April 12th, housing developers, business leaders, smart growth policy experts, and poverty advocates joined together at a press conference to call on the legislature to pass a $35 million housing bond.
In partnership with Housing Vermont and the Champlain Housing Trust, under the
Building Homes Together campaign, the CCRPC supports the proposed $35M housing bond.
The bond is critical for the advancement of the 2013 Chittenden County ECOS Plan
housing goal: "To increase the opportunities for safe, decent, energy efficient, affordable, accessible and fair housing for all types of households in diverse neighborhoods." The bond would address a significant need for affordable housing in Vermont, help to alleviate homelessness, house the workforce, and provide expanded homeownership opportunities for a diverse array of Vermonters. It would also act as a stimulus package, generating millions of dollars of economic activity through the creation of hundreds of jobs and the purchase of goods.
As proposed, the housing bond would be issued by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. At least 25% of the homes built would be targeted at the lowest income Vermonters, and 25% would be used to develop homes affordable to households earning 80% - 120% of median income. Statewide, median income for a family of four is $70,200. The bond would be repaid over 20 years.
For more information on the economic impact of a $35M housing bond, view this infographic.
Best Regards,
Charlie Baker
Executive Director, CCRPC |
|
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
|
|
I-89 Exit 14 Bike/Pedestrian Crossing Study Survey
CCRPC is working with South Burlington and Stantec to identify possible crossing improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists in the I-89 Exit 14 area. Following a public meeting in November, four possible alternatives were developed for consideration. Your input and comments on each alternative is needed. Take the Survey » |
|
North Williston Road Scoping Study Local Concerns Meeting: May 2
The Town of Williston Department of Public Works, with technical assistance from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and transportation planning consultant RSG, invite the community to join the Selectboard on Tuesday May 2, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Meeting Room to plan the future of North Williston Road. The project seeks to examine the roadway for improvements to the drainage system and transportation network, including motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle travel. Learn More » |
|
CATMA Seeks USA Today Grant; Voting Ends May 12
Help make bikeshare a reality in our community and get Chittenden County moving in a healthy, active way. Help CATMA win grant funds to support a bikeshare system by voting for their video now! Voting ends May 12, and you can vote every day until then. Learn More & Vote » |
|
Vermont Highway Safety Alliance Seeks USA Today Grant; Voting Ends May 12
The Vermont Highway Safety Alliance asks your support in helping its chances of receiving a grant from USA Today to bring a safety fair to each high school in Vermont. Your daily vote can help Vermont win $100,000. Learn More & Vote » |
|
Rivers & Roads Tier II Roads Scholar Workshop - Multiple Dates & Locations
Participants will gain the skills needed to develop riverside infrastructure maintenance and repair to increase the stability of rivers and the lifespan of infrastructure. This two-day workshop includes lectures and related field work to help accomplish river infrastructure maintenance and development goals.
Learn More »
|
Electric Buses Get Trial Run in Quest for Sustainable Transit
Green Mountain Transit and the University of Vermont are trying out electric buses in partnership with the Burlington Electric Department and the Vermont Energy Investment Corp. By partnering with GMT and the University of Vermont, Burlington hopes to help them add more electric vehicles to their fleets. The Burlington Electric Department is using state money, made available to meet renewable energy standards, to help both organizations try out electric buses. Learn More » |
|
Transportation Project News & Updates
For a full list of transportation projects, visit the CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee website; a full project list is provided in every TAC agenda and is updated regularly. View the latest TAC agenda »
|
|
Implementing ECOS Strategy 1
|
|
Vermont Business Bootcamp: April 27
Vermont Business Bootcamp is an energetic, hard-hitting training event that will challenge your thinking, help you find answers to the big questions, and walk you through the most important steps in achieving personal growth through business success.
Learn More »
|
Vermont Community Development Association's Spring Conference: May 10
Many Vermont communities are actively exploring the ways in which trail systems and recreation paths can serve both a recreational and economic function. Join VCDA on May 10th in Burke for their spring conference: Blazing a Trail: The Economic Impact & Future of Vermont's Trails & Recreation Paths.
Learn More »
|
|
Chittenden County Brownfields Program Accepting Applications
If you own or wish to develop a property that is contaminated or suspected to be contaminated, please apply. To get started, read the information on different types of assistance and fill out and send us a site nomination/assistance request form.
Learn More »
|
|
Energy & Natural Resources
|
|
Implementing ECOS Strategies 3 & 4
|
March for Science in Vermont: April 22 (Earth Day)
Join the March for Science in Vermont on Saturday, April 22nd. Marches and activities are planned in Burlington and Montpelier on Earth Day.
Learn More »
|
Vermont People's Climate
March: April 29
In solidarity with the national climate march in Washington, D.C., several organizations in Vermont have coordinated the Vermont People's Climate March at the State House in Montpelier from 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
Learn More »
|
Energy Building Codes Training: May 10
This presentation will be relevant to Planners and Zoning Administrators (and any Board/Committee members who are interested). Efficiency Vermont will provide an update on residential and commercial building codes (RBES and CBES). The State of Vermont recently updated RBES and CBES and adopted a stretch code that enables municipalities to adopt enhanced energy standards above code. We will hold this presentation following the CCRPC Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting on May 10th at 3:30pm at the CCRPC Offices. RSVP »
|
Energy Planning Training: May 11
This presentation will be relevant to Planning Commissioners and Energy Committee members. It will cover regional and municipal roles in complying with Act 174, the energy planning bill. CCRPC will present a first draft of the Chittenden County Energy Plan as well as municipal level baseline and future demand energy use by fuel source and sector. For additional information on the Chittenden County Regional Energy Plan, click here. This will be held on Thursday, May 11th from 6pm to 8pm at the CCRPC Offices. RSVP »
|
Town Forest Recreation Planning Community Assistance Program: Applications Due June 1
The Vermont Urban Community Forestry Program is seeking to work with 10 communities to support the development of town forest recreation and stewardship plans. This program will provide technical planning assistance to Vermont communities interested in addressing issues and opportunities in the use and stewardship of their town forest, a value of up to $10,000 per town. Participating communities will receive technical assistance from a multi-disciplinary consultant team for the development of a town forest action plan.
Learn More »
|
Vermont Landslide Inventory GeoForm
Have you seen a landslide in Vermont? If so, the Vermont Geological Survey needs your input.
Landslides may involve rock (previously intact ledge for example), soil or both. Please report any landslides to them through the online landslide inventory
GeoForm. All they need is a location or general location. If you report it, they plan to visit and verify the site and collect additional data. More eyes are needed on the ground to build a complete inventory, so please help out as you spend time outdoors this year.
Learn More »
|
|
Vermont Clean Water Initiative Brown Bag Lectures
These lectures on the Vermont Clean Water Act and its implementation occur monthly and can be attended in person or via Skype. View the full schedule »
|
|
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
|
Essentials of Land Use Regulations
& DRB Summit: May 31
This presentation will be relevant to members of local development review boards, zoning and planning commissions that do development review. This is being held after Town Meeting Day to provide an introduction for any new board members; but this will also be relevant to veteran members as we will combine this with the DRB Summit - a peer to peer exchange and discussion. This will be held on Wednesday, May 31st from 6pm to 8pm at the CCRPC Offices.
RSVP »
|
Free Vermont Planners Workshops: June 7 & 8
The workshops will focus on protecting current and future sources of drinking water in your communities. The first series was held in 2007 and in 2015 and 2016 there were four shorter workshops to learn from planners what they would like to know about protecting drinking water supplies.
View the flier or
contact Kira Jacobs for more information.
|
Vermont Smart Growth Summit: June 16
AARP VT and VNRC invite you to the Smart Growth Summit, which will be held June 16th at Champlain College in Burlington. We're bringing together local officials, planners, policy makers, developers, and business people for a dynamic and interactive summit aimed at raising and addressing a variety of issues that present challenges and opportunities in the field of community development. Learn about Vermont's smart growth accomplishments, gain practical tools from colleagues and discuss ways we can harness smart growth to provide housing choices, transportation options, and a high quality of life for all Vermonters.
Learn More »
|
Burlington Celebrates Opening of Apartments and Daystation for Vermonters Facing Homelessness
Governor Phil Scott joined Congressman Peter Welch, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and many other supporters on April 4th to celebrate the opening of 14 new units of permanent supportive housing and a newly rebuilt Daystation and Housing Resource Center.
Learn More »
|
Affordable Housing Falling Short (
Champlain Housing Trust)
Michael Monte of the Champlain Housing Trust addresses affordable housing challenges in Chittenden County in this Burlington Free Press Op-Ed.
Learn More »
|
|
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
|
Local Emergency Operations Plans Due Before May 1
It's time to update your
LEOP, have it approved by your legislative body, and submit it between Town Meeting Day and May 1, 2017. The template and format will remain the same as last year, so that can be used as the basis for this year's update. There will be an additional, optional annex related to continuity of operations planning (known as "COOP"). With or without a LEOP, this is a very useful concept to consider - how you would keep your "ship of state" running in case of incident or emergency, whether a cyberattack, server crash, severe illness among key staff, water or wastewater plant failure.
Please remember that having an updated, adopted LEOP is a prerequisite for certain State grants and funding programs. LEOPs must also be certified and signed by a Town or City Manager/Administrator or Council/Selectboard Chair; and that person must have taken either ICS 100 or 402 (you only need to take this once, not every year). ICS 100 can be taken online.
Please feel free to contact Lee Krohn, CCRPC Senior Planner, for further information, or for assistance with updating your LEOP.
|
|
Implementing ECOS Strategies 5, 6 & 8
|
UVM Student Research Conference: April 27
The UVM Student Research Conference (SRC) is a showcase of student research at every level and across every discipline within the University of Vermont. This showcase is a public event held annually in the UVM Davis Center. UVM
encourages any and all students, staff, faculty, and community members to come and support the wealth of innovation and creativity being exhibited at this event.
Learn More »
|
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: April 29
Show you care and don't share. Do your part to keep unsafe drugs in safe hands by bringing your unused or expired medications to local drop off sites on Saturday, April 29th, 10am - 2pm for safe disposal. No questions asked.
Learn More & Find a Disposal Site Near You »
In an effort to implement our ECOS Strategies relating to Social Community, our ECOS Leadership Team has promoted this important event to their respective networks. Frank Cioffi of the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation encouraged support of this initiative by forwarding it to 600 employers; please consider doing your part in our ongoing regional work and commitment to promote safety around prescription drugs and circulate this initiative widely among your networks. Thank you!
|
Hunger Action Conference: May 5
This year's conference will focus on the importance of community engagement and innovation to bring large scale change to our communities. Our keynote speaker is Paul Born, the cofounder and President of the Tamarack Institute, and founder of Vibrant Communities Canada - a network of more than 70 Cities Reducing Poverty. He is a leader on issues of place, citizen engagement, collective impact and community innovation. Learn More & Register »
|
State Hosting Sessions on New Opioid Prescription Rules
A new law limiting the number of opioid painkillers a doctor can prescribe and requiring providers to counsel patients on the risk of addiction will take effect July 1. In preparation, the Vermont Health Department hosted presentations in Burlington and Rutland, and has another scheduled online on May 17.
Learn More »
|
Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Presentation: May 25
Dr. Michael Goedde and Dr. Sanchit Maruti of the UVM MC Addiction Treatment Center present "Addiction, Treatment and Recovery," a presentation focusing on understanding addictions and the process of recovery from a biological perspective. This event will take place on May 25th, 10:30 - 12:00pm at the Davis Auditorium at UVM MC. Please RSVP directly to Vanessa Berman at vmberman@howardcenter.org.
|
|
|
|
|
