More than 40 people attended our Mapping the Vision workshop in May, to identify places in town where we want to protect or enhance elements of our vision. Attendees divided up into 6 groups to discuss various aspects of the town vision. Here is what we heard…
1. Natural Lands Group
The group outlined the core forest habitats, the floodplain and the Camels Hump view from the park and ride and the VYCC view from the I89 on the map. The group identified the following priorities:
2. Working land Group
The group outlined the major working farms and forests on the map and identified the following priorities:
3. Economic Opportunity Group
The Group outlined the areas of current economic activity and identified the Gateway Commercial Zoning District and the area around Harrington’s on East Main Street as areas for economic opportunity. The group identified the following:
4. Village and Downtown Group
The group outlined the Village area, the downtown area, and the Jonesville Village area on the map plus identified the following priorities:
5. Housing and Neighborhoods Group
The group identified the following neighborhoods: Riverview Commons, Southview/Hidden Pines/Valley View, Graystone, Jonesville, lower Wes White Hill, Fays Corner and the Village. The group identified the following priorities:
6. Character and Culture Group
The group identified the following areas: the Multrup Farm, Conant Farm, the Village, Jonesville Village, Fays Corner, the Huntington Gorge, the VYCC/Monitor Barn, Cochran’s Ski Area, the Schools and the cemeteries. The group identified the following priorities:
1. Natural Lands Group
The group outlined the core forest habitats, the floodplain and the Camels Hump view from the park and ride and the VYCC view from the I89 on the map. The group identified the following priorities:
- Density based zoning/cluster development;
- Core forest overlay district (and identified connections);
- Design review, conditional use that respects the natural features developed by the conservation commission;
- Identify on future land use maps potential and existing trail networks connecting all neighborhoods to the village;
- Explore options for financially incentivizing large land owners to conserve large parcels of land
- Protect riparian/floodplain areas.
2. Working land Group
The group outlined the major working farms and forests on the map and identified the following priorities:
- Zoning changes to increase minimum lot sizes in working land areas;
- Protect riparian buffers by incentives, education, easements…;
- Allow for farm worker housing (such as seasonal housing);
- Allow for/attract a community food processing facility.
3. Economic Opportunity Group
The Group outlined the areas of current economic activity and identified the Gateway Commercial Zoning District and the area around Harrington’s on East Main Street as areas for economic opportunity. The group identified the following:
- Support home based businesses;
- Commercial opportunity at east end of Village;
- Gateway Commercial District and the Creamery parcel as key commercial locations (could include high tech firms, health services and small hotel, include sidewalks and design standards);
- Discourage box stores or large chain businesses;
- Needs include quick stop for coffee and muffins, diner/affordable breakfast restaurant.
4. Village and Downtown Group
The group outlined the Village area, the downtown area, and the Jonesville Village area on the map plus identified the following priorities:
- New downtown streetscape plan that addresses parking concerns and improves the downtown appearance
- (Re) establish Jonesville as a destination and work to bring an anchor businesses to the historic commercial area (such as recreation industry based) and help re-enforce the neighborhood center.
- Encourage the establishment of a “Third Place” similar to the On The Rise Bakery.
5. Housing and Neighborhoods Group
The group identified the following neighborhoods: Riverview Commons, Southview/Hidden Pines/Valley View, Graystone, Jonesville, lower Wes White Hill, Fays Corner and the Village. The group identified the following priorities:
- Redevelopment of Jonesville;
- Encourage density in Village, Jonesville and other key areas, by providing incentives for smaller lots and smaller homes;
- Encourage sidewalks, shared spaces plus block parties, green up activities and email lists (social networks);
- Encourage denser, clustered development with green space, promote bike and pedestrian connections between and thru neighborhoods;
- Promote housing cooperatives, housing trusts, and other housing ownership and development options.
6. Character and Culture Group
The group identified the following areas: the Multrup Farm, Conant Farm, the Village, Jonesville Village, Fays Corner, the Huntington Gorge, the VYCC/Monitor Barn, Cochran’s Ski Area, the Schools and the cemeteries. The group identified the following priorities:
- Marketing/promotion of social and recreational opportunities, info kiosk, signage and wayfinding (including re-vamp the “Welcome” sign, consider a brand like the Town of Waterbury);
- Director position to help with the marketing and promotion.