Town of Rutland

Town Plan

2009

VISION

Our collective vision for the future is a Rutland Town continuing to be a vibrant community for the benefit of both its own citizens and the regional population.  It will afford opportunity to live and prosper with very desirable homesteads, excellent education and recreational foundations for families, protected property rights with respect for personal freedoms, and an economic vitality under our free enterprise system, respecting environmental concerns and providing for the public safety.

 

The Town will enhance the attractiveness of the region so that commercial and industrial business will locate and expand operations in the area to provide additional good job opportunities.  The ripple effect will allow organizations such as the hospital to maintain and implement latest technology.  It will permit expansion of our professional base in banking, law, education, medicine and other services.

As ingenuity of our population continues to develop in the 21st Century, we shall meet the challenges presented and continue to keep Rutland Town responsive to its people through the generous contributions of work and time given by Town officials and volunteers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

VISION.. 1

COMMUNITY PROFILE.. 4

Background Analysis:  Population, Housing, and Economy.. 4

TRANSPORTATION.. 8

Introduction.. 8

Transportation Goal. 8

Description of the Local Transportation System... 8

Transportation System Issues and Problems. 14

Objectives and Strategies for Transportation.. 16

EDUCATION.. 18

Introduction.. 18

Education Goal. 18

Background Analysis. 18

Educational Facilities. 18

Education Objectives and Strategies. 21

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND FACILITIES. 22

Introduction.. 22

Sewer, Water and Waste Disposal. 22

Sewer, Water and Waste Disposal Goal. 22

Background Analysis. 22

Sewer, Water, and Waste Disposal Facilities. 22

Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling.. 25

Sewer, Water, and Waste Disposal Objectives and Strategies. 25

Administrative Facilities and Services. 25

Administration Goal. 25

Administration Objectives and Strategies. 26

EMERGENCY SERVICES. 27

Background Analysis. 27

Emergency Management Planning.. 28

Emergency Service Objectives and Strategies. 28

RECREATION.. 29

Recreation Goal. 29

Background Analysis. 29

Recreation Objectives and Strategies. 29

TELECOMMUNICATIONS. 31

Telecommunications Goal. 31

Telecommunications Objectives and Strategies. 32

ENERGY.. 34

Energy Goal. 34

Background Analysis. 34

Renewable Energy Production.. 35

Energy Objectives and Strategies. 36

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. 37

Natural and Cultural Resources Goal. 37

Natural and Cultural Resources Objectives and Strategies. 45

Land Resource Objective. 45

Land Resource Strategies. 45

Historic Resource Objective. 45

Water Resource Objective. 45

Water Resource Strategies. 45

HOUSING.. 47

Housing Goal. 47

Background Analysis. 47

Housing Objectives and Strategies. 49

CHILD CARE.. 50

Child Care Goal. 50

Background Analysis. 50

Childcare Objectives and Strategies. 50

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.. 51

Economic Development Goal. 51

Background Analysis. 51

Economic Development Objectives and Strategies. 53

FUTURE LAND USE.. 55

Land Use Districts. 55

Relationship of the Plan to Neighbors. 59


COMMUNITY PROFILE

 

Introduction

A thorough analysis of a community's population, housing, and economy is an important feature of any well-written municipal plan. For example, besides helping to determine how much a community has grown, such information allows a municipality to: estimate whether or not (and if so, how much) it is likely to grow in the future; identify what impacts growth (or lack of growth) could have on its services and land use; and decide how best it might respond to growth trends.

Background Analysis:  Population, Housing, and Economy

 

Population size and growth

According to the US Census Bureau, Rutland Town's population was 4,038 in 2000, the 3rd largest in the Rutland Region[1]. That figure is estimated to have grown to 4,092 in 2007[2].

The Town's population has increased substantially in decades prior to 1990.  According to the US Census, the number of residents more than doubled between 1960 and 2000.  Over the last 30 years, the rate of population growth has declined.

Table 1. Population and Population Change, Town of Rutland

 

 

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2007 est

Population

 

1,542

2,248

3,300

3,781

4,038

4,092

Absolute Change

 

706

1,052

481

257

54

Percent Change

 

 

46%

47%

15%

7%

1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: University of Vermont Indicators Online, from the US Census Bureau.

 

http://maps.vcgi.org/indicators/profiles.cfm visited 1-8-2009

 

 

 

As with most communities in the northeast, the majority of the population growth has taken place as a result of in-migration (persons moving into town minus persons leaving town). In the 1980s, in-migration accounted for 85% of the population growth in town. In the 1990s, it essentially accounted for all population growth, with natural births and deaths of local residents actually reducing the population[3]. It is expected that with birth rates in further decline throughout the state, this trend has continued into the 21st Century.

The more dramatic change in the Town’s demographics relates to households and housing units. While the population has risen only modestly in recent decades, the number of housing units (and households living in them) has grown dramatically because of a sharp drop in the number of people living in each housing unit.

The average household in the community is becoming smaller—  the average fell from 3.04 persons per household in 1980 to 2.68 in 1990 to 2.35 in 2000.  Between 1990 and 2000, the number of households in the town increased nearly 20 percent, over double the increase experienced by the Rutland Region as a whole.

Table 2. Households and Household Changes, Town of Rutland

 

 

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

 

Households

 

431

661

1,087

1,412

1,691

 

Absolute Change

 

230

426

325

279

 

Percent Change

 

 

53%

64%

30%

20%

 

source: University of Vermont Indicators Online, from the US Census Bureau.

 

http://maps.vcgi.org/indicators/profiles.cfm visited 4-11-2007

 

 

 

 

Growth Projections

Despite a recent dip in the rate of population increase, the number of people living in Rutland Town should continue to climb very slowly in the coming decade. According to the Vermont Department of Aging and Independent Living, which commissioned population projections based on 2000 Census data, the County’s population is expected to grow by a very modest amount, 0.6% (1,630 people), between 2000 and 2020. A limited proportion of that will likely take place in Rutland Town[4].  It is important to recognize that the actual amount of future population growth in Rutland Town will depend a great deal on levels of in-migration locally and in the state as a whole, as well as on local birth and death rates.

Housing Stock

Rutland Town contained 1,691 households in 2000, all but 25 of which were year-round. Of those, 30% were renter-occupied and 70% were owner-occupied, a figure that remained essentially consistent from 1990. The growth in housing has mirrored the growth in households over the past 30 years.

Lacking a major commercial/recreational feature such as a lake or ski area within its borders, Rutland Town's housing stock consists overwhelmingly of year-round units. Of 1691 total units in 2000, 25 were occupied only seasonally. Most residences in Rutland Town are single family homes. In 2000, 341 housing units, or 19.4% percent of the total, were classified as multi-family units, which include duplexes. That ratio increased from 16.6% in 1990, when the multi-family unit count was 253.

 

Single Family

Two Family

3-4 Unit Structure

5-9 Units

10-19 Units

Mobile Homes

TOTAL UNITS

2000

1371

132

85

17

107

49

1761

1990

1220

93

80

25

55

49

1522

Change ’90 - 2000

12.4%

41.9%

6.3%

-32%

94.5%

0%

15.7%

Table 3.  Number of Housing Units in Different Types of Structures, Town of Rutland

Source:  US Census Bureau Summary File 3, 2000 & 1990

NOTE:  There were 85 housing units in structures that hold 3-4 units each.  This means there were between 21 and 28 buildings of this size in town.

Housing Vacancy

Some 2.5 percent of Rutland Town's housing units were vacant in 2000. Vacancy rates are viewed as an indicator of the "tightness" of a housing market, though the figure may have changed substantially between 2000 and the updating of this plan in 2009.

Economy and Property Base

Rutland Town has a significant and growing economic base. The town’s 2008 grand list includes 1,879 taxable properties valued collectively at $698 million. Of those, 225 valued at $278 million were commercial and industrial (additionally there is $168 million worth of machinery, equipment, and inventory) and 11 (valued at $2.7 million) were farm parcels. The remaining parcels were residential, utilities, and other miscellaneous properties. An increasing number and proportion of the town’s tax base comes from residential properties, in part due to a statewide trend over the past 10 years towards increased residential property values and stagnant commercial ones.

It is expected that a town-wide re-appraisal will be completed during 2009.

Employment within Rutland Town

According to the Vermont Department of Economic Development, there were 3,768 jobs based in Rutland Town in 2005. Of this total, 56% were employed in the service sector of the economy, 40% were employed in the goods producing sector, and 4% were employed in the public sector.

The town’s employment base has undergone a dramatic shift in the past 15-20 years. While total employment figures have remained fairly steady (increasing slowly over the past ten years after a substantial decline in the early 1990s), the roles of the Goods Producing and Service Providing sectors have been reversed. The leading components of those two sectors – manufacturing and retail sales, respectively – have witnessed opposite trends. While manufacturing jobs accounted for nearly 65% of all jobs in the Town in 1992, and over 50% as recently as 1996, in 2005, they accounted for just 38% of all jobs in the Town. By contrast, jobs in retail have grown from just 12% of all jobs in 1992, to 25% in 1998, to nearly 40% in 2005.

In community planning, the percentage of retail employment in a community is generally considered significant for two reasons. First, retail employment wages are below those offered by many other sectors of the economy. Second, retail employment is associated with land uses—forms of development—with a tendency to attract significant amounts of automobile traffic.

December 2008 Unemployment statistics for the surrounding towns reflect the economic downturn, but Rutland Town’s unemployment rate is low. As a share of regional employment, jobs in Rutland Town have represented between 12% and 13% of the positions in Rutland County over the past 15 years.  According to 2006 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Rutland Town holds 6.5% of Rutland County’s population.

 

Table 4. Unemployment Rate, December 2008 (not seasonally adjusted)

Geographic Area

Total Civilian Labor Force

Unemployment Rate

State of Vermont

356,250

6.0%

Rutland County

36,950

6.6%

Rutland Town

2,450

2.4%

Rutland City

9,500

7.9%

Proctor

1,080

7.1%

West Rutland

1,530

9.1%

Clarendon

1,890

5.0%

Pittsford

2,080

5.6%

Mendon

930

5.9%

Source: Vermont Department of Labor www.vtlmi.info

 

Employment of residents

Residents of Rutland Town worked primarily in two employment fields in 2000: management & professional occupations, and sales and office. The table below illustrates that Rutland Town has a significantly higher proportion of white-collar residents than the Region as a whole.

Table 5. Occupations of Employed Residents, Town of Rutland

 

 

 

 

Town

County

 

 

Management, Professional, and related

34.4%

30.6%

 

 

Service

13.2%

15.9%

 

 

Sales and Office

32.0%

25.9%

 

 

Farming, fishing, forestry

0.7%

1.1%

 

 

Construction, extraction, maintenance

9.8%

9.9%

 

 

Production, transportation, material moving

9.9%

16.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: US Census Bureau Table DP-3: Profile of selected economic characteristics, 2000

 

Travel to Work

Over 70% of employed Town residents worked in either Rutland City or Rutland Town in 2000, according to the US Census, making it one of the communities with the smallest proportions of long-distance commuters in the Region. Killington and Clarendon were the next highest destinations, at 5.5% and 3.2% respectively. No other destination accounted for more than one percent of all travel. This concentration of workers may present opportunities for public transportation, so long as it meets the needs of the predominantly white-collared workers living in the Town (see Table 5).

 

 


TRANSPORTATION

 

Introduction

Transportation is closely related to land use. Communities that integrate transportation and land-use policies are better able to manage growth, improve the efficiency of travel, and contain infrastructure costs. Transportation improvements provide greater accessibility to certain parcels of land and this increases the likelihood they will be developed. As land use becomes more intense, the amount of travel generated increases, which spurs demand for additional transportation improvements. Integration of land use impacts is an important part of transportation planning.

 


Transportation Goal

To provide for a safe, convenient, economic, and energy-efficient transportation network that respects the integrity of the residential and natural environments, including public transit options and paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.

 

Description of the Local Transportation System

The transportation system serving Rutland Town has many different components. These components include facilities, such as highways, streets, and bridges, as well as services, such as public transit.

Highways. Highways in Rutland Town include locally-maintained facilities such as Post Road, East Pittsford Road, and Creek Road, which are maintained by the Town (which has an elected Highway Commissioner, a crew of two, and contracts for various services). They also include state-maintained facilities such as Vermont Route 3 and US Routes 4 and 7. There are also a number of privately owned transportation facilities, consisting mostly of roads serving housing developments.

Highway facilities may be classified—and thus better understood—using many different systems. One of the most commonly used classification schemes is the Administrative classification system established by Vermont transportation statute. Under this system, local roads and streets are assigned to one of four different classes, which reflect highway physical characteristics, use, and role in the transportation network and funding from the State.

Rutland Town has 8.8 miles of US highways on US 4, 7 and Business Route 4 and 1.7 miles of State highways.  According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation, one-half of Rutland Town’s highways are class 3 highways and one-quarter are class 2 highways. There are no class 1 highways and a small percentage of class 4 highways. Class 1, 2 and 3 roads are those for which the town receives State aid grants, based on the number of miles in the town.  See Table 6.


 

Table 6. Highways by Administrative Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Highway

State Highway

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Total

Miles

8.84

1.73

 

0.00

15.05

31.48

~1.6

~58.7

Percent of Total

15.1%

3.0%

0%

25.6%

53.6%

2.7%

100%

Source: Vermont Agency of Transportation

Another commonly used scheme for describing highways is the so-called functional classification system. Under this system, routes are assigned to categories that reflect their function and overall importance.

In functional classification, highways are classified as arterials, collectors, or local streets:

Arterials. Arterials located in Rutland Town include US 7, US 4, Business Route 4 and Vermont 3. These highways, which are designed to accommodate volumes of more than 500 vehicles per hour, carry the bulk of through-traffic. Protection of the traffic-carrying function of arterial highways is of great importance to the Town. In addition to serving as conduits for inter-state and inter-regional transportation and commerce, they also carry large numbers of commuters, shoppers, and visitors. If they become congested or otherwise decline in performance, there can be serious economic and social impacts.

Collectors. Collector roads in Rutland Town include North Grove Street, East Pittsford Road, Post Road, West Proctor Road, Town Line Road, and Creek Road. These roads provide for through traffic on a local level. They connect arterial and residential streets and link Rutland Town with Rutland City, Pittsford, Chittenden, Mendon, Proctor, and Clarendon.

Local Streets. Local streets form the balance of the roadway network in Rutland Town. They are designed to allow access to adjacent land uses, not to carry through traffic. Careful attention to this design principle is needed to ensure that residential streets are not transformed into collectors.

Bridges. Bridges are critical components of the highway system, allowing travel over significant physical obstacles such as rivers, wetlands, and ravines. Bridges are also challenging to maintain and expensive to replace. Thus, they are a major focus of transportation planning and management.

Like highways, bridges may also be classified according to their state or local jurisdiction, with ownership generally determining responsibility for maintenance. Fortunately, repairs to many local bridges are eligible for at least some state funding under the state's local bridge assistance program.

Bridges with spans of 20 feet or more are generally eligible for federal support, while bridges (or culverts) with spans greater than 6 feet but less than 20 feet are generally eligible for state funding. Every two years VTrans inspects all bridges over 20 feet.  Bridges on town highway are the towns’ responsibility and those on state roads are owned by the State

Transit. Not all residents own automobiles or have access to those vehicles at all times. For these reasons and others, public and private transit services are an important component of the transportation system.

Public transit in Rutland Town is provided by the Marble Valley Regional Transit District (MVRTD), commonly known as "The Bus". In operation since 1976, MVRTD is the largest non-urban transit system in Vermont. MVRTD provides public fixed-route services, deviated fixed route and ADA complementary paratransit  to the general public in Rutland Town, Rutland City, and Proctor. It also provides paratransit services such as subscription for persons who cannot access fixed route services. The demand responsive service has a fare of $6 for a one way trip in Rutland city and the complimentary paratransit service has a fare of $1.

Services to Rutland Town residents are somewhat limited. MVRTD’s fixed routes that serve the Town are as follows:

MVRTD’s other fixed route, the Hospital Route does not cross into Rutland Town. Commuter buses serving Killington Ski resort make stops in Rutland Town, if it is safe to stop, at the Nordic Motel on Route 4.

In general, buses operate on these routes six days a week, several times each day, for fee of between $0.50- $2.00. 

In addition to fixed route and paratransit services, MVRTD provides transportation to persons eligible for mobility services under Medicaid, which benefits a number of Rutland Town residents. Medicaid transportation is provided using MVRTD vans, taxis, and reimbursed volunteers. There are also commuter routes which extend service to Fair Haven and Manchester.   Finally, MVRTD also provides contract services to human service agencies including the Southwest Vermont Council on Aging, Rutland Mental Health, Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Bridges and Beyond, Social and Rehabilitative Services (SRS), and many others.

Rail. Rutland Town residents are fortunate to be served by both passenger rail service (via Amtrak’s Rutland City station) and freight rail service (via Vermont Railway and its subsidiaries the Clarendon and Pittsford Railway and Green Mountain Railroad). Rail can be an important resource for transporting goods through the region while avoiding the impact of additional truck traffic.

Bike and Pedestrian Facilities. Bicycle and pedestrian travel are important elements in creating a balanced and sustainable transportation system. Bicycles are the most efficient means of transportation, while walking provides basic mobility for residents—as well as a host of other benefits.

As transportation, bicycling can be used for commuting and recreation purposes, Bicycling and walking for transportation (as opposed to recreation) in Rutland Town is underutilized. Motorized transportation is the primary means of transportation for local residents. The distance between residential and commercial areas discourages walking for utility purposes.

Existing pedestrian facilities are limited to sidewalks and a number of dispersed recreational trails. There are no existing bicycle facilities designated in the town, although many riders make regular use of residential streets and other automobile dominated routes. For recreational cycling purposes, Creek Road and Vermont Route 3 are particularly well used. One informal foot trail near the school is used extensively by students.

As noted above, there are no existing formal bicycle facilities designated in the town and pedestrian facilities are limited to sidewalks. Pedestrian facilities, where they are available, are discontinuous and therefore do not provide connections between key facilities. Furthermore, many roads used for cycling lack shoulders and /or have sharp drop-offs at the road edge. A Town Exercise Path Steering Committee was formed in 2000 to work toward the development of exercise paths. While the committee no longer exists, results from their work should be examined for future consideration.

Parking. Parking, or the lack thereof, has not been identified as a problem.    New commercial development in the Town has ample parking available.   It is important that new developments consider public transportation and pedestrians in parking lot layouts so access throughout these is amenable to other modes. 

Areas with Lack of Safety. Another way to identify deficiencies in the transportation network is to examine accident records to identify locations where there appear to be more accidents than would normally be expected. Such locations would be an indication of "geometric" features that are deficient and need to be addressed.

The State of Vermont Agency of Transportation examines sections of highways and intersections for accident rates. Those which exceed a critical rate, determined statistically, are considered high accident locations. High Accident statistics are often used in conjunction with severity statistics, which reflect the severity of the economic loss resulting from the accidents at a location.

Highways. US 7 at its intersection with Pinnacle Ridge Road is dangerous because of the geometrics/sight distances for those traveling northbound and  left turn movements onto Pinnacle Ridge.  A Road Safety Audit Review of this intersection resulted in a current project to install a left turn lane  for northbound traffic.  New signs and a flashing light have also been installed to address this. 

Bridges. Among bridges over 20 feet, those in poor condition include the Town highway bridge over East Creek, where reconstruction is underway.  The McKinley Avenue Town bridge, like all bridges over 20 feet in length, is inspected every two years by the Agency of Transportation. Two bridges in Rutland City have become structurally deficient, with “band-aid” approaches to repairs, thereby impacting business and emergency and safety efforts in Rutland Town negatively. The bridge at end of River Street is posted for 3 tons maximum. The  Ripley Road Bridge is limited to one-way traffic. Funding limitations and a “band aid” repair for an extended indefinite period of time is totally unacceptable to Rutland Town. 

Rail Crossings. Historically, at least two rail crossings in Rutland Town, one on Vermont Route 3 just north of its intersection with Business Route 4 and the other (Carris Reels Crossing) on Depot Lane, have been in need of improvement for reasons that include unsafe conditions and inadequate signaling/signage. The status of other rail crossings, on US Route 4 at the southern end of the Town, and on Cold River Road, should be closely monitored. A 30ft. X 40ft. area adjacent to the rail line crossing on US RT. 3 was unpaved for quite sometime while the rest of the road to Proctor was paved. Many times crossing lights and signals stay on long after trains have passed, infuriating motorists, impacting on business and creating a potential impediment for emergency vehicles. Peak night rail traffic could help to alleviate some congestion.  VAOT should improve maintenance these areas in the infrastructure. The Town and the area lack access to a so-called fast highway system so an efficient rail system, coordinated with and not conflicting with high traffic volumes on roads is important to Rutland Town and the area as a whole. Substandard dilapidated rail crossings are not only an impediment to everyday activities by area residents, businesses and commerce in general they present a negative first impression to those who may me considering locating here for business reasons or otherwise. Again, Rutland Town deems VAOT’s approach to these issues as grossly inadequate and therefore unacceptable.

Air Transportation.  The Rutland/ Southern Vermont Regional Airport serves private air service as well as commuter/passenger service to Boston. This service is very valuable to businesses such as General Electric, OMYA and others. Funding to secure necessary upgrades to the facility is difficult at both the Federal and State levels. A mix of private and public funding may be necessary to ensure the long-term survivability of this facility. The Town Select Board supports the continued Federal and State funding for the airport.

Transportation Advisory Council.  The Town of Rutland Select Board has a “pipeline” for local transportation infrastructure issues through the Transportation Advisory Council (TAC), an adjunct council of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. The Town has representation on the Council. TAC meetings are generally held on a monthly basis.  The TAC serves to promote and support, throughout the Rutland Region, an integrated transportation system that facilitates commerce and communication and enhances quality of life, by involving citizens and local officials in the identification and development of solutions to transportation problems

Community Land Use Impacts of Transportation. Land use and transportation clearly influence each other. As has been summarized in the Rutland Region Transportation Plan, one of the most significant impacts of transportation on land use is as a catalyst to land development. In Rutland Town, the most obvious manifestations of the impact transportation has on land use are the areas of development along US 7 and US 4 entering Rutland, particularly from the east and south.

Access Management

Roads function for two purposes- mobility and accessibility to adjacent land The efficiency and safety of all town roads are directly affected by the frequency and location of points of access or curb cuts. The design of curb cuts also is important in terms of drainage and road maintenance. Consistent and comprehensive access management policies are necessary to balance the needs of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users of the roadways system to travel in safety and with sufficient mobility , and as traffic volumes increase, this becomes increasingly important.

 

Strategies for improving access management include:

• adequate sight distance at a driveway or street intersection;

• distance between curb cuts and distance between driveways and nearest intersection;

• shared driveways;

• appropriate driveway width

• driveway turnaround area (for small existing lots fronting the corridor);

• appropriate on-site parking, shared parking, and parking design;

• sizing of area and/or bays for loading and unloading; and,

• landscaping and buffers to visually define and enhance access points.

Cut-through traffic. Cut-through traffic occurs when drivers take "short-cuts" through residential neighborhoods and other areas in order to minimize the amount of time it takes to reach their destinations. Rutland Town has historically had many areas affected by cut-through traffic. Much of this, however, has been improved with the re-signalization of traffic lights along Routes 4 & 7 in a joint effort between Rutland Town, Rutland City, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

Noise and disruption. Noise and disruption are some of the most significant negative impacts of cut-through traffic. However, noise and disruption are not limited to areas affected by cut-through traffic; they also affect areas through which major transportation arterials traverse. According to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, noise "negatively affects human health and well-being. Problems related to noise include hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, sleep loss, distraction and lost productivity, and a general reduction in the quality of life and opportunities for tranquility."

Areas where the transportation system has had significant noise and disruption impacts include areas adjacent to the railroad tracks in town and near trucking locations in residential areas.

Air Pollution. Another impact of transportation is air pollution. Serious air pollution can have health effects ranging from discomfort breathing to cancer. Air pollution can also have ecological impacts, i.e., impacts on the environment such as damage to plants and genetic diversity.

In Rutland Town and the rest of Vermont, transportation-related air quality impacts are greatest where traffic volumes are highest. Thus, the most problematic areas include the US 4 and US 7 corridors, particularly those areas where vehicle delays are greatest.

Lowered property values. The net effect of numerous negative transportation impacts is the lowering of property values. While no locally specific analyses have been prepared to measure the financial ramifications of transportation impacts, anecdotal evidence suggests that the value of some types of properties, such as residential, may become depressed. However, commercial and industrial properties benefit from close proximity to major highways.  The lack of proximity to an interstate system also affects property values for certain businesses.    

Transportation System Issues and Problems

In addition to being affected by local transportation problems, Rutland Town is very much affected by regional transportation problems as well. The following paragraphs describe the most obvious examples of these regional transportation issues, namely the formerly proposed Rutland Bypass and the possible future relocation of the Rutland Rail Yard.

Rutland Bypass. Construction of a highway bypass around Rutland City was discussed for many years.

Rutland Town’s Position. Rutland Town’s basic position regarding the construction of a bypass around Rutland may be stated as follows: The construction of a bypass is not necessary given current and likely future traffic volumes; furthermore, even if built, a bypass would not solve congestion problems on US 7. The Town believes that, instead of a bypass, the Agency of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration should pursue a "limited" upgrade of US 7 and US 4. This limited upgrade would provide much sought-after congestion relief at several key intersections but with far fewer impacts than would result from the construction of a bypass—and at much lower cost.

Basis for Town’s Position. Rutland Town’s position opposing the construction of a bypass around Rutland is based on a thorough analysis of the available information and a common-sense approach to issues such as economic and social costs. More specifically, the Town determined that any Route 4 bypass must respect the natural, cultural, and social environment. It should not segment the town, nor go through or adjacent to residential areas, viable farmland, wetlands, floodplains, or other natural resources. The route through the Wheelerville Valley corridor, generally located on the southerly side of Bald Mountain and on the easterly side of East Mountain, would have the least impact on the above areas and would be a logical progression from the terminus of the already improved portion of Route 4.

On the other hand, a limited upgrade of the existing highway network would improve traffic congestion at the critical Allen, West and Woodstock Avenue intersections. A limited upgrade would also result in the least amount of total hours spent driving in the Rutland Area. The limited upgrade approach would solve the problem where it occurs and also not induce additional travel like the construction of a bypass would.

A limited upgrade also reduces community impacts by requiring the relocation of far fewer businesses and other uses and the taking of much less frontage. Very simply, fewer impacts mean lower costs (allowing limited state and federal funds to be used to complete other transportation improvements in the State of Vermont); and a higher ratio of benefits to costs.

Town an Active Participant. Not surprisingly, since virtually all of the potential bypass routes that have been studied over the years would be at least partially located in Rutland Town, the Town has been active participant in the bypass planning and decision-making process. In the mid-1980s, for example, the Town was a member of the Rutland Regional Bypass Working Group. This Working Group reached consensus on the need for internal improvements along US 4 and US 7 in Rutland City and also voted to ask the State Agency of Transportation to proceed with a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Starting in 1994, the Town became an active participant in the EIS Project Advisory Committee (PAC), a body created by the Agency of Transportation to provide public input during the development of the environmental impact study. In early 1997, the Town also became a member of the Joint EIS Task Force created by the Rutland Regional Planning Commission and the Rutland Region Transportation Council.

In addition to providing input during the development of the draft EIS, Rutland Town filed written comments during the formal public comment period following the draft EIS.

The brief historical summary shown below outlines Town votes and other actions on the bypass issue. There are no longer plans to build the bypass, after millions of dollars in study funding resulted in a withdrawal of all proposals.

 

·         3/8/84 Town votes not in favor of proposed southeast corridor bypass to run through town westerly of East and Bald Mountains.

·         11/6/84 Town voted 2.5 to 1 against any bypass in the Town of Rutland

·         7/9/85 The Group supported concept of industrial and recreation growth in the Rutland Region and asked the State to plan an interstate link to support the region in this regard

·         9/10/85 Group voted with respect to southeast bypass to eliminate “Powerline route” from further consideration. Also to ask State to further study the Wheelerville Corridor and Alignment F (the 1,000 foot route) as outlined in the C.E. Maguire, Inc., July 1984 report, to initially build two lanes, and to build into the side of the mountain rather than cut and fill, thereby preserving the aesthetics and environment of the corridor.

·         1/13/86 Group voted to request State to proceed with a full Environmental Impact Statement on the following options: (1) Wheelerville; (2) 1,000 foot level; and (3) the No Build Alternative. Also that further expenditures on the Powerline Route would be a waste of money.

·         6/4/87 JHK & Associates, the State’s consultant, announced that the State had accepted the recommendation to reject the Powerline route through Rutland Town and to remove that route from further consideration.

·         3/9/88 Town voted 993 to 298 to recommend to the State that they reject the northern bypass route proposed by JHK & Associates and instead channel all available funds toward improvements to existing Routes 4 and 7 corridors.

·         1993 Selectboard adopts Town Plan urging completion of internal improvements and opposing construction of bypass on Powerline Route.

·         1997 Town participates in Regional EIS Task Force, ultimately voting in the minority in opposition to construction of a bypass along Powerline route.

·         1997 Town hires consultant Jeffrey Zupan to help evaluate draft EIS and assist in the preparation of comments

·         3/5/98 Selectboard adopts resolution favoring a modified version of the “Upgrade Existing” Alternative and forwards copies to state and federal transportation officials.

·         1/29/00 The State of Vermont AOT announces that it has scrapped the Bypass for Rutland. Wetlands are cited as the main reason.

 

Rutland Rail Yard Relocation Project

Studies, proposals and alternative designs have been developed to relocate the Rutland Railyard.  The goal of this is to maximize efficiency for rail service, which presently has outgrown the capacity of the current railyard in Rutland City because of an increase in the number of railcar shipments made by OMYA’s Florence Plant, alleviate some safety issues and reduce blocked grade crossings.  It is the position of this Plan that, if the Rutland Rail Yard is moved, that its relocation should be extremely sensitive to the infrastructure needs of the region and Rutland Town:

 

Objectives and Strategies for Transportation

Transportation Objective

·        Continue to develop a transportation action plan/capital program that refines and advances the transportation, land use, and economic development aims of this Plan.

 

Transportation Strategies

1.      Ensure that VTrans provides adequate funding and a satisfactory maintenance schedule for Rutland Town’s roads and bridges.

2.      Continue to develop and complete the improvements to existing Routes 4 and 7. 

3.      Participate in and support the development of the Corridor Management Plan for Route 7 South as a means of addressing traffic concerns.

4.      Employ best practices of access management by requiring, when appropriate, joint use of curb cuts, restricting curb cuts where alternative access is appropriate and requiring that all new roads, all private roads and driveway intersections with town roads meet the Town’s safety and design standards.

5.      Reduce transportation energy consumption and trips.

6.      Promote an interconnected network of roads, especially with new developments. 

7.      Implement park and ride lots as appropriate, working with the state where desired.

8.      Encourage public transportation access to all developments.

9.      Encourage provisions for bicycles and pedestrians on any new or improved Class 2 or 3 roads and bridges.

10. Encourage landscaping and pedestrian walkways in parking lots and the location of parking lots at the rear of buildings, where appropriate.

11. Review any proposed Railyard Relocation by the City of Rutland, which must consider any possible impacts on property located in Rutland Town including environmental effects on wetlands, agricultural land, and a large water supply aquifer located near the project area.  This is a major project the likes of which the area has never seen before and will have impact for many generations.

12.  With taxpayer funds being used for railyard relocation and or upgrading of existing rail lines, it is absolutely essential that these projects come with a maintenance plan and funding for same. Neglect of maintenance is not an acceptable option nor is building all this infrastructure that does not include that plan.

13. When the time comes for public comment/hearing regarding #12 above, it is of upmost importance that these points be addressed by the boards concerned, for it is lack of maintenance in part, for whatever reason, that has landed the area in the fix we are in now, as it pertains to rail.

14. The question then becomes- if we can’t maintain what we have now, how do we justify the proposed rail plan? This question deserves detailed serious answers.


EDUCATION

 

Introduction

As most people are aware, educational facilities are the most expensive public facilities to operate and maintain. Some communities spend as much as 80 percent or more of their total property tax revenues to pay for public education. Therefore, they are an important component of the local plan.

Although school planning is the domain of the School Board, the Planning Commission and the Municipal Development Plan have a very important and necessary role in planning for the future of local schools. Development in Town can have implications on school populations. The Planning Commission should work closely with the School Board to identify school capacity and ensure that any population growth in the Town is accommodated by school facilities.

Educational facilities are an important factor in future land use planning for other reasons as well. Historically, schools have served as a focus of community identity. In many instances, local schools have served as meeting places for social organizations. Thus, a school can be a good focus for a locally designated growth area.

 


Education Goal

To broaden access to educational and vocational training opportunities sufficient to ensure the full realization of the abilities of all Vermonters.

 

Background Analysis

 

Educational Facilities

 

Rutland Town Elementary School

The Rutland Town School Board presently operates one school: Rutland Town Elementary. The school is located off of Post Road and accommodates students in kindergarten through grade eight.

Rutland Town Elementary School was opened in 1967 and then expanded in 1971. Kindergarten classes were added in 1976. A new wing was added to the school in the late 1980s, and another was completed in 1995. The school currently consists of 31 classrooms plus additional space for administration, music, art, science, technology education, computers, family and consumer sciences, physical education, cafeteria, library, and other uses.  Students in Early Essential Education (pre-Kindergarten) through grade eight are served at the Rutland Town School.

Several upgrades were made to the school in the late 1990s. A new gymnasium for school and community use was added. Heating and ventilation system improvements were made, as were improvements to address insufficient sewage disposal capacity when the school was connected to the City of Rutland Sewage Treatment plan via the new north end sewer lines. A new emergency backup generator was installed in 2008 to improve school operations and allow the building to be an effective emergency shelter for the community.

Enrollment and Capacity. The student enrollment at Rutland Town School was 359 in 2008-2009, up from 334 the year before and well above the recent low of 297 in 2004. Figures over the past decade have fluctuated, with a high of 488 students in 1997. The number of teaching staff stood at 37 in 2008, plus 17 instructional assistants.

According to school officials, the practical capacity of Rutland Elementary is 500 students, a level that could be increased if space located on the second floor of the most recent addition is finished off. Given current enrollments and growth rates, facility capacity is not likely to present problems for the community for the period of time covered by this plan.

Administration. Rutland Town Elementary School is part of the Rutland Central Supervisory Union along with Proctor High, Proctor Elementary, and West Rutland School (K-12). The Union is headed by a Superintendent. Each town in the district has its own school board and each school has its own principal. Elections for school board are competitive and there is excellent parent support and involvement in school programs.

High Schools and Vocational Training.

Rutland Town has no high school of its own. The Town pays students’ tuition at public schools. Typically students attend schools in the neighboring communities of Rutland City, Proctor, Brandon, Clarendon, or West Rutland. In addition, some students attend Mount St. Joseph Academy, a private parochial high school. High School students wishing to attend other non-parochial high schools may do so, with the town covering costs up to the amount charged by the most expensive local high school.

Education Financing.

In Vermont, funding for education is raised primarily through local property taxes and state aid to education/special education block grants. Property taxes statewide are pooled and then re-distributed to each locality on a per-pupil basis. Each town then votes for the additional amount to be allocated on top of the baseline state funds. 

Secondary Schools Accessible to Rutland Town High School Students

Rutland High School. The newest public secondary school in the region, Rutland High School is located at the corner of Stratton Road and Woodstock Avenue in Rutland City. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, offers a diverse curriculum including advanced placement (AP) coursework and honors classes. The median class size is 23.

During the 2006-2007 school year, Rutland High School had an enrollment of nearly 1157 students, a small increase over previous years. Data from 1998-2007 illustrates steady school enrollment, with a slow growth in recent years. While the number of tuition students from various towns in the Region has grown in recent years no additional capacity is being planned.

Mill River Union High School. Built in 1975, Mill River Union High School occupies a forty-acre parcel on Middle Road in Clarendon. It offers a range of secondary, vocational-technical, and college preparatory classes for students in grades 7 through 12. During the 2006-2007 school year, Mill River Union High School had an enrollment of 688 students, down from an average of 715 over the previous four years. This total includes a number of tuition students from outlying communities such as Rutland Town, Danby, Tinmouth, and Chittenden. The School District and School are open to tuition students as the school is not near its capacity at this point.

Proctor High School. Proctor Junior-Senior High School is located on Park Street in Proctor. Recognized for its application of educational technologies, the school offers a range of advanced placement and honors classes, some of them with instruction delivered by satellite.

Enrollment during the 2006-2007 school year stood at 164, down from 189 in 2003 and 2004, and well below figures from the late 1990s that reached over 200.

West Rutland High School. West Rutland High School is part of a kindergarten through grade 12 facility located on Main Street in West Rutland. When school is not in session, the building and its playground facilities are used extensively as a community center for activities such as aerobics, karate, and adult basketball. The building in which the school is located was built in 1928, with an addition constructed in 1974.

Total school enrollment during the 2006-07 school year was 399 (including several tuition students from neighboring communities), a figure that has been steady for the past five years, but which is below a 1997-98 number of 470.

Stafford Technical Center. Sharing its location with Rutland High School, the Stafford Technical Center serves full time and part time students. The Stafford Technical Center offers a wide variety of educational experiences for individuals of all ages. The Center is open for day programs which serve both secondary students and adult students. Students from throughout the Rutland Region attend classes at the Center to complement their high school program.. The facility is used in the evening for specialized industrial training offered by local companies for their employees. Adult evening programs are scheduled later in the evening.

Several other institutions offer courses including the Community College of Vermont, the University of Vermont, the Vermont Technical College and apprentice training programs.

Private Schools. The largest private school serving secondary school age students from Rutland Town is Mount St. Joseph Academy (MSJ). MSJ is a parochial high school operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. MSJ offers a college preparatory curriculum. Other smaller private schools also exist in the Town.

Education Objectives and Strategies

Education Objectives

·        To support the restructured Stafford Technical Center in providing job skills to area students, and to support a stronger adult curriculum at the Center for retraining displaced adults.

·        To encourage the schools to utilize local cultural, historic and natural resource areas as part of their educational programs.

Education Strategies

1.      Encourage continued citizen participation on the local school board so as to maintain educational opportunities at optimum costs to the taxpayers.

2.      Continue to adequately maintain and upgrade present buildings and grounds.

 


PUBLIC UTILITIES AND FACILITIES

 

Introduction

Public utilities and facilities play an important role in local planning. In fact, these features--when combined with the transportation system--serve as the foundation for healthy communities and desirable land use and development patterns.

When planning future land use, it is crucial to understand where municipal facilities and infrastructure are currently provided and how much capacity they have to accommodate new growth. Once this information is known, it is possible to plan for their expansion to satisfy long-range growth needs at a reasonable cost to residents of the community.

Moreover, the fact that a community does not currently have a certain type of public utility (such as a municipal water or sewer system) does not mean it cannot or should not be addressed. In order to achieve its land use goals for a particular area, a community may need to explore the potential for initiating a new service. The analysis may result in a schedule of municipal service expansion, which establishes when certain new services will be provided.

Sewer, Water and Waste Disposal

 

 


Sewer, Water and Waste Disposal Goal

To plan for, finance, and provide an efficient system of public facilities and services to meet future needs; and to maintain and enhance recreational opportunities.

 

Background Analysis

 

Sewer, Water, and Waste Disposal Facilities

Municipal utilities can be viewed, in most instances, as the basic building blocks for locally designated growth areas. Improvements to municipal utilities will also be influential in guiding decisions regarding economic development and housing. Businesses and industries are naturally drawn to these systems when choosing a site location within a community. Municipal water and sewer systems in particular also make it possible to permit higher development densities, which can help reduce housing costs.

Sewage Disposal

There are several separate sewerage systems in Rutland Town. These systems include Center Rutland Fire District #1; extensions of Rutland City sewer system; and the Alpine Pipeline sewer along Route 4.

In addition, the Town of Rutland currently provides wastewater collection to areas in the southern, western, and northern quadrants of the Town. In the south and north, these systems serve commercial, industrial, institutional and educational, and residential uses, while in the west, it serves primarily residential and manufacturing users.

Treatment of wastes collected through these systems takes place at the Rutland City Sewage Treatment plant.  Residential town users pay a rate that per contract with the City would sunset for a given user after ten years to a reduced rate.

Another factor in the cost of wastewater is an Ad Valorem tax that applies to any business in Rutland Town which connects to the public sewer system. The business pays 5 times the city base rate for a period of 10 years.  Additionally, the business would have to pay the City 20% of the real estate taxes paid to the Town. As a result, the business pays 120% real estate taxes for a period of 10 years.  After 10 years, the sewer rate reverts to the city rate and the additional real estate tax ceases.  These additional costs apply to new businesses and to any existing Town Business that increases their wastewater discharge above what had been previously approved.

The rest of the town uses on-site septic systems for waste disposal.  According to the US Census, in 2000 over 80 percent of all housing units disposed of septic wastes via a septic tank or cesspool.

The Town of Rutland operates and maintains its sewer lines through revenues available in the Sewer Operation & Maintenance Account and the Sewer Escrow Account. The Town of Rutland established a Capital Reserve Fund in conformance with 24 VSA 4756(4). The purpose of this fund is to provide for the repair, replacement and future upgrade of the wastewater collection facilities.

(See SEWER FACILITIES MAP PAGE 24)

Water

Town-provided service along US 7 South was the result of a 1992 Inter-municipal Agreement with Rutland City. Town residents or businesses wishing to purchase City water are required to apply to the City Board of Aldermen.  Effective June 20, 2008 Town water users pay $3.405 per 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of drinking water.

The Rutland City water filtration system is located in the easternmost edge of Rutland Town.

As part of a comprehensive water service report prepared for the Town in 1997, Dufresne-Henry, Inc. investigated whether an alternative to City water could be used to supply users in the south end of Rutland Town. The report found that "eliminating the dependency upon the City appears to be logistically and financially viable although the short term cost of service would increase."

The Town has generally been developed with small water systems built by the developer of the land. The majority of these private systems have been developed in connection with residential subdivisions.

Special purpose municipalities known as Fire Districts serve many other residents and businesses, and "there are limited areas where the Town has provided or acquired water mains to service some customers using an interconnection to the Rutland City water system." Historically, Fire Districts were established in mixed-use areas such as Center Rutland (which is served by Fire District 1) or in larger residential areas. In recent years, however, a number of new Fire Districts were created or proposed as smaller private water systems sought ways to comply with new federal water system regulations. The study also notes that "given the relative proximity of one system to another it appears that a regional approach towards resolution of the deficiencies could be considered."

Those in the Town not served by water districts or community systems obtain water on-site using wells or springs. 

 

Sewer and Water West Side

 
Extent of public water (in red) and sewer (in yellow) lines in the Town.

Sewer and Water East Side

 
 


 

Water North Side

 

Water and Sewer South Side

 

Sewer North Side

 
 

 


 

 

 

 

Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling

The Town of Rutland operates a municipal Transfer/Recycling facility adjacent to the former landfill in Northwood Park. The landfill was closed and capped in November 1993 pursuant to state environmental regulations.

Solid waste collected at the facility is hauled by a contractor off-site for disposal.

Recycle-able material is collected and processed by the Rutland County Solid Waste District. Currently, residents may recycle the following materials: newspaper, cardboard, tin and aluminum, glass, clear and colored HDPE plastic, PET plastic, and white office paper, magazines, and catalogs.

Sewer, Water, and Waste Disposal Objectives and Strategies

Objectives

·        Continue to adequately maintain and upgrade present buildings and grounds.

·        Provide sewer and water facilities in areas where the Town deems growth is desirable.

·        Continue developing and protecting underground water supplies in southeast sector of town.

Strategies

1.      Explore further cooperative agreements with surrounding towns to reduce negative fiscal impacts on the Town.

2.      Monitor use of sewer allocations.

3.      Study costs/benefits of extending existing sewer lines; continue to work cooperatively with the City of Rutland.

4.      Continue recycling efforts

 

Administrative Facilities and Services

 


Administration Goal

Continue to ensure the smooth operation of Local Government

 

This section of the Public Utilities and Facilities element examines local administrative facilities, such as the Town Office, along with any other important community buildings or services not identified in earlier sections.

Town-owned land and buildings not mentioned in previous sections include the Town Hall on BR 4 in Center Rutland. They also include a two-acre cemetery alongside BR 4 in Center Rutland, an eight-acre cemetery at Cheney Hill, a nine-acre parcel purchased to provide access to an anticipated water project off Park St., the Community Center on a 1.1 acre site on Cedar Avenue, and 11 acres of land off Route 7 in the northern section of the town.

According to Town Officials, the Town Hall has adequate space to meet anticipated demand. The nine-acre parcel located off Park Street is believed to have some recreational potential, particularly for passive recreational uses such as picnicking.

Administration Objectives and Strategies

Objective

·        Allow public access to public officials and records.

Strategy

1.      Maintain and improve existing Town Facilities and Building


EMERGENCY SERVICES

Introduction

Typically, the most of vital services that local governments provide are emergency services. These services consist of the fire protection, rescue and ambulance services, and law enforcement. Together, these services form the core of the town’s emergency management team, alongside town administrators and elected officials.

 


Emergency Service Goal

Continue to provide and improve the current level of Fire, Police and Emergency Services to all Town residents

 

Background Analysis

The analysis of emergency services is important to local land use planning from the standpoint that they are basic municipal services to residences as well as commercial and industrial uses. Substantial development should not be encouraged in remote areas where emergency services cannot obtain easy access during part or all of the year. On the other hand, emergency services should be encouraged to locate in or near areas where existing development is concentrated

Fire Protection. Fire protection in Rutland Town is provided by a fifty-plus member volunteer fire department with assistance from surrounding municipalities under mutual assistance agreements. Many members of the Department have received over two hundred hours of training outside the department. This training has included courses in first aid, CPR, pumps, buildings construction, fire behavior, alarm systems, emergency vehicle operations and operations level Hazardous Materials training.

Facilities maintained by the Department include two fire stations, one on McKinley Avenue and another in Center Rutland.  The Department continues to make facility improvements at both stations.  For example, the McKinley Avenue station was recently connected to a sewer line.

Law Enforcement.  The Town’s Police Department consists of 3 qualified police officers, 2 of whom also serve as Town Constables.  Troopers from the Vermont State Police are also available, particularly for daytime calls. The State Police are dispatched from the local state police barracks, which is located in Rutland Town.

Emergency Medical Services and Hospital. The Town uses the services of EMTs and paramedics through the Regional Ambulance Service. The RAS serves 12 communities. Replacement of vehicles and equipment takes place on an ongoing basis.

The Rutland Regional Medical Center is located in Rutland City and is a distance of approximately one to five miles for most Rutland Town residents. The hospital is a major facility.

Rutland Town is fully participating in the Enhanced 911 Emergency Response Program. All calls for emergency services are handled by a central dispatch center that automatically knows the location of the person making the call.

Emergency Management Planning

The Town has an appointed emergency management coordinator who is responsible for maintaining an emergency response plan and a hazard mitigation plan, among other studies. The Mitigation plan identifies problems that could be addressed in advance of an emergency to reduce loss of life and property (such as improving culverts that wash out during rainstorms). The Response plan sets forth a framework for how the town will respond to emergencies and share work that needs to be done in planning for and responding to emergencies. The Hazard Mitigation plan was last adopted in 2004 and is being revised this year in accordance with FEMA requirements for updates every 5 years. The response plan is updated on an annual basis and submitted to Vermont Emergency Management.

A new emergency backup generator was installed in 2008 to improve school operations and allow the building to be an effective emergency shelter for the community.

Emergency Service Objectives and Strategies

 

Objectives

·        Continue to financially support the volunteer Fire Department, Town Constables and Emergency response services.

·        Continue to recruit new members to the volunteer Fire Department

·        Continue to provide specialized training as needed for Town Fire and Police services.

Strategies

1.      Review and re-adopt the Town’s emergency response plan annually

2.      Review and re-adopt the hazard mitigation plan every five years.


 

RECREATION

Introduction

Recreational facilities should be a major factor to consider when developing a comprehensive community plan. It is important to ensure that as a community grows its recreational resources are expanded to keep pace with increased demands.

 

Recreation Goal

To maintain and enhance recreational opportunities.

 

Background Analysis

Facilities and Programs.

Recreational facilities owned or administered by or through the Town include Dewey Field, Northwood Park, the Town Forest, and the Rutland Town Elementary School. In addition, the recently constructed fieldhouse, operated through a multi-organization partnership, is located in Rutland Town at the Diamond Run Mall.

Rutland Town's parks and recreation facilities are supervised by the Rutland Town Recreation Commission, an appointed group of seven people. Their Commission is responsible for administration and coordination of recreational programs, provision and maintenance of recreational facilities and identification of future recreational needs.

In light of a series of deficiencies identified by the Town’s Recreation Commission, a number of improvements have been made to Town parks over the past ten years. Two new soccer fields were built; construction of a multi-use recreation path separated from vehicle traffic is underway, and Northwood park’s hiking paths are being extended. Additional accessible hiking and skiing paths are still needed, however.

Recreation Objectives and Strategies

Objectives

·        Expand opportunities for adults to recreate together by offering more adult recreation programs.

Strategies

1.      Develop a comprehensive aquatics program to make maximum use of the pool, including instruction, competition, water carnivals, water ballet.

2.      Organize sports leagues to serve Rutland Town residents.

3.      Continue development of Northwood in accordance with the master plan as approved by Act 250 for the site.

4.      Explore camping, trail, and nature study uses of the Town Forest property.

5.      Explore ways to ensure continued access to private property (e.g. Pine Hill, Boardman Hill, Otter and East Creeks) for recreational pursuits such as hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, biking, canoeing.

6.      Consider doing a survey of the residents of Rutland Town to better determine their interests and needs.

7.      Develop an ice-skating program to provide better winter outdoor recreation.


TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Introduction

Recent advances in wireless communications technology have resulted in a new generation of telecommunication services. These new services transmit electromagnetic waves of such a frequency and power that will likely require numerous antenna locations. These antennas may be located on buildings, water towers and other similar structures but will also frequently be located on new or enlarged towers. This requires that the Town of Rutland plan for these wireless communication system facilities in a different manner than conventional television and radio transmission towers, which are able to transmit their signals at much greater distances.

 


Telecommunications Goal

The intent of this section of the Plan is to provide for the establishment and/or expansion of wireless telecommunication services within Rutland Town while protecting neighborhoods and minimizing the adverse visual and operational effects of wireless telecommunications facilities through careful design, siting and screening.

 

Background Analysis

A number of providers of wireless communication services have recently been licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and additional providers are expected to be licensed in the near future. These firms are expected to pursue antenna sites within Rutland Town and these efforts are expected to include requests to construct new communication towers.  The Selectboard has adopted a telecommunications ordinance to address concerns stated in the goal above.

Inventory

By virtue of its location, Rutland Town may be described as part of communications and transportation hub of the Rutland Region. Rutland Town is located at the center of Rutland County between the Towns of Pittsford, Mendon, Clarendon, West Rutland, and Proctor. Contained within the center of the Town lies the City of Rutland, the most populous municipality in the Region. Rutland Town also encompasses the crossroads of two major highway arterials and three historically separate railroad lines, and lies just north of the Rutland State Airport.

Lying within a physiographic region known as the Valley of Vermont, Rutland Town is bounded by two significant topographic features. The Green Mountains lie to the east of the Town, while the Taconic Mountains lie to the west. Because of the location of these features relative to the Region’s center for population, commerce, and transportation, Rutland Town is a desirable location for telecommunications facilities.

Attesting to this fact, currently there are three telecommunication facility locations in the community. A "reflector board" is located west of McKinley Avenue, a "fan marker" for the Rutland State Airport is located northeast of the Rutland Mall, and two separate facilities are found in the area southwest of the intersection of Quarterline Road and Boardman Hill Road. Of these latter facilities, one provides service for fire, shortwave radio, and other purposes. In the past, towers have been located south of the Post Road-Post Road Extension intersection and just west of Rutland Town (in West Rutland).

Outside Rutland Town but nearby, a large telecommunication tower is located in the town of Clarendon, south of Boardman Hill. Due its location and exposure, Boardman Hill is considered to be an area where additional towers might be proposed in the future. The area of Rutland Town just south of the Pittsford Town line is thought to be similarly sought-after for telecommunication facilities.

In addition to wireless facilities, the Town is served by wire-based cable and telephone lines.

State and Local Framework

Public Service Board. The Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) has the jurisdiction over telecommunication facilities by virtue of its authority to issue "certificates of public good." A certificate of public good is permission required from and granted by the state of Vermont to allow a utility or regulated industry—such as communication service providers—to do business in and serve subscribers in Vermont.

Environmental Board. The Vermont Environmental Board reviews large-scale development proposals through a system of regional District Environmental Commissions. Projects are reviewed for conformance with the ten criteria and numerous sub criteria of Act 250, the state’s land use and development control law. These criteria help insure that development proposals do not negatively impact water or air quality, water supplies, soil erosion, transportation, public services, aesthetics and historic sites, wildlife habitat, agricultural and forestry soils, growth patterns, etc.

 

Telecommunications Objectives and Strategies

Objectives

·        To minimize the location of facilities in visually sensitive areas;

·        To encourage creative design measures to camouflage facilities;

·        To protect historic and residential areas from potential adverse impacts of communication towers;

·        To avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure through engineering and careful siting of tower structures.

 

 

 

Strategies

1.      Maximize use of existing and approved towers and other structures to accommodate new antennas and transmitters in order to reduce the number of communication towers needed to serve the community;

2.      Encourage providers to co-locate their facilities on a single tower;

3.      Encourage facilities to be sited below visually prominent ridge lines;


ENERGY

Introduction

Energy is an important factor in the economic, environmental, and social well-being of communities. Practically every decision people make or action they take affects energy use or production. In turn, energy use and production affect our future decisions and actions.

 


Energy Goal

To help support stable energy supplies at affordable costs to consumers.

 

Background Analysis

The primary source of energy use in Vermont is[5] transportation (the movement of people and goods), accounting for 33% of all energy used in the State. That sector is followed by residential uses, at 30%, commercial businesses at 20%, and industrial use at 17%.

Although data is not available at the town level, average use figures in Rutland Town likely mirror statewide averages, with the recognition that the Town is home to more business and industrial activity than neighboring communities.

Of note among Rutland Town residents is energy used for commuting. The data reflects mixed results for the town. On the negative side, the town, according to the 2000 US Census, had the highest percentage of commuters driving alone to work of any community in Rutland County, at 84%.  On the positive side, because a large proportion of Town residents work within a short distance of their homes (primarily in Rutland Town, Rutland City, or Killington), the town’s average carbon dioxide emissions per commuter is among the lowest in the State at 2,167 lbs annually. This figure is less than half that of many outlying communities’ rates.

Electricity is provided by Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) and VELCO which owns the transmission lines.  CVPS operates a major systems and operation center in Rutland Town.  VELCO has headquarters in Rutland Town.  CVPS is actively seeking ways of diversifying their energy portfolio to ensure that their customers’ needs (availability at a reasonable cost) are met. 

Aside from generating new sources of electricity, one of the keys to keeping down energy costs continues to be efficient use of electricity.  Several public and private enterprises exist to educate individual consumers about conservation and to provide technical assistance to companies seeking to reduce their energy consumption.

Renewable Energy Production

Wood. Approximately 5% of homes in Rutland Town used wood as their primary heating source in 2000, according to the US Census. Many others use wood to supplement heat through a wood stove or fireplace, but this information is not tracked by the Census. Anecdotal evidence suggests that increased numbers of households have been supplementing oil heat with wood in recent years to offset rising fuel costs.

Presently, Vermont's forests are being underutilized and could supply many more households with wood for heating. The same is probably somewhat true for Rutland Town. According to statewide guidelines, each forested acre of land in the Town could probably sustain a harvest of about 1.3 cords per year if fuelwood production was the primary objective. About 0.6 cords of fuelwood per acre per year could be expected if high quality sawtimber was the primary objective.

Other “Biofuels”

Another category of fuels are biofuels.  This includes pellets used in pellet stoves for heating homes, biomass plants used to heat large facilities, and new forms of liquid petroleum such as ethanol.  Pellet stoves and manufacturing of the pellet fuel supply are two emerging business opportunities in this immediate area.

Solar. Less than one percent of Vermont homes use solar power for all of their space, water heating, and / or electricity needs, but solar has increased in importance as an energy source. Increasing numbers of homes use active or passive solar heat to supplement other energy sources to reduce costs and overall consumption.

Solar water heating, for example, has the potential to offset 50 percent, or more, of the energy used to heat domestic hot water and it is the most cost effective form of active solar application in Vermont.

On a larger scale, CVPS has announced plans to build a commercial scale solar array to generate energy (approximately 50KW) directly for the grid.  They expect it will be operational by 2010.

Wind and Hydro.  Wind and hydro production are hot topics once again in Vermont and Rutland County. Though the entire state is a net importer of all its energy needs (including electricity), businesses, lawmakers, and citizens have begun to explore opportunities for local electricity generation. These include small-scale hydroelectricity facilities (micro-hydro), household scale windmills, and commercial scale wind towers.

Because of the Town’s physical setting – primarily in valley areas – there is greater potential for smaller-scale wind power than for commercial grade. A recent study of wind speeds throughout the State of Vermont indicated that the eastern border of Rutland Town could have suitable wind speeds for large wind generation[6]. Household scale windmills have reached a point where the investment can be recouped by the homeowners under certain circumstances. Several windmill companies are based in or have offices throughout the State.

Rutland Town is home to two small and one large hydroelectric facilities. One is the Vermont Marble site in Center Rutland. The other is the reactivated Mill Village site. The larger facility is located at Patch Pond and operated by Central Vermont Public Service.

Energy Objectives and Strategies

Objectives

·        Support a reduction in energy consumption by individuals, businesses and municipal operations.

·        Encourage the development of renewable energy resources.

·        Reduce the amount of travel conducted by single-occupant vehicles

Strategies

1.      Support CVPS’ efforts to diversify their energy portfolio for the benefit of their customers.

2.      Support new development and continued use of renewable energy sources such as woodfuel, the existing hydroelectric facilities, initiatives to install solar energy collectors, and wind energy production.

3.      Develop policy on energy conservation to include:

a. Investigate ways in which the Town could reduce its energy consumption (vehicle fuel, heat/air, lights) and recommend new policies to support that reduction;

b.  Require energy-conserving construction on new buildings;

c. Encourage energy-saving retrofits to existing buildings, including municipally owned facilities;

d. Recommend zoning/subdivision/building regulations that encourage solar and/or other alternate energy sources.

4.      Promote car and van pooling by supporting the establishment of park-and-ride areas and through public education about ride-sharing resources.

5.      Support extension of bus service.

6.      Encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel with safe lanes and dedicated paths and trails, signage, and markings.

 


NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

 

Introduction

Before a community can plan for its future, it must first take stock of the resources it contains and assess their general condition. This section of Rutland Town's plan presents information on the status of natural and cultural resources in the town.

Natural and Cultural Resources Goal

 

Protect irreplaceable natural and cultural resources from the impacts of development while maintaining access to and appropriate use of those resources.

 

 

Physical Setting

Rutland Town is located along the Valley of Vermont and has varying topography. It is bounded on the north by the Town of Pittsford, on the east by Mendon, on the south by Clarendon, and on the west by West Rutland and Proctor. Contained within the center of the Town lies Rutland City.

Agricultural Resources

Although agriculture has been a prominent land use in the town since its original settlement, fewer and fewer acres are still being actively farmed. Those parcels are located primarily along Otter Creek in the WSW sector and between North Grove Street and Chittenden Road/Blueberry Lane in the north sector. Large-scale agricultural use of land has been steadily decreasing due to proximity to Rutland City, demand for housing, and the increasing economic pressure on commodity farmers within Vermont who are supplying a national market. A recent upswing in smaller-scale agricultural activities, including vegetable production and specialty products, appears to have initiated a trend towards increased numbers of farms in Rutland Town, however. 

An analysis of settlement patterns in Rutland Town indicate that only a small number of structures are currently standing on the highest quality soils in the community. Seventeen structures, or one percent of the total number of buildings in town, are located on what are considered to be prime or statewide agricultural soils[7]. In order to retain the potential for future agricultural uses, development should continue to be discouraged on the Town’s limited amounts of high quality soils.  Land designated as “prime” agricultural lands comprise 22% of the town’s total land.

Forest Resources

Most of the forestland is located on slopes bounded by West Rutland and Proctor to the west and by Mendon to the east. There is a small amount of valuable timber, but most of the land is used as a scenic and recreational resource--hunting, hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing.

Like high quality agricultural soils, high quality forest soils are scattered throughout the Town. High quality forest soils are not limited to any particular landform. It is important to note that many soils classified as having high potential for agricultural production may also have high potential for forestry. This is because many of the physical and chemical characteristics that make land productive for annual crops are also desirable for tree growth.

Mineral Resources

The extraction and processing of mineral resources is also a significant economic activity in Vermont and Rutland County. Rutland Town lies just east of economically valuable slate and marble belts (although marble has been quarried in the past, there are no current commercial mineral extractions), and sand and gravel resources are present, particularly in the northeast corner of town.

An analysis of settlement patterns in Rutland Town indicate that a significant number of homes and businesses have been built upon potential sand and gravel resources. 792 structures, or 43% percent of the total number of buildings in town, are located on these potential resources, significantly limiting the actual resources available for extraction[8].

Steep Slopes

The degree of slope, defined as the number of feet of vertical rise in 100 feet horizontal distance, has direct implications for most land uses. Development on steep slopes (over 15%) creates environmental problems of erosion, sedimentation, and increased runoff.  Costs of site improvement, construction, maintenance, and delivery of public services (school bus, fire, etc.) increase when development is allowed on steep slopes.

Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals and Wildlife Areas

Natural heritage sites incorporate rare plants and animals that are native to the state and considered rare for one or more reasons, as well as natural communities that are either rare habitat types in Vermont or among the best examples in the state of a common community type. There are four natural heritage sites in Rutland Town.

Rutland Town is an important wildlife habitat area and migration corridor. Because of its physical setting along the Otter Creek and at the confluence of the Region’s two primary valleys, many larger and smaller animal and bird species make use of land and water within the Town. There are few undisturbed areas remaining in Rutland Town. Three key areas for wildlife habitat connectivity remain in the Town:

·          in the northwest, between the Pine Hill Park area of Rutland City and the Town of Proctor (where two rare, endangered, or threatened species reside),

·          in the southwest corner of the town, where limited undeveloped areas serve as the last connection between two habitat areas of the Taconic Mountains in Clarendon

·          in the southeast corner of the town, adjacent to another rare, threatened, or endangered species and linked to the larger undeveloped areas of Mendon and Shrewsbury. 

The most critical component of wildlife survival, according to Conserving Vermont’s Natural Heritage, a book recently produced by the Agency of Natural Resources, is the maintenance of blocks of connected habitat and migration land. In other words, it is critical that large tracts of land be connected versus existing in isolation.

Deer, the largest of the animals typically found in Rutland Town, have several mapped deer wintering areas in the Town, which occupy a total of 1,627 acres, 13% of town. Typically, deer wintering areas are located predominantly in areas of low, south facing slopes and along watercourses. In Rutland Town, they are located at the extreme northwest comer of the town, east of Prospect Hill, and in the southeast corner of the town.

Future development should be promoted in ways that minimize the loss of connected habitat areas.

 

Open Space and Scenic Resources

In the course of planning for Rutland Town's future, it is important that the presence of high quality open space and scenic resources--broad scenic areas as well as scenic landmarks--be recognized and the integrity of such resources be preserved. Open space and scenery entice many people to visit the area and add greatly to the quality of life enjoyed by the people who live here.

Open space and scenic resources are fragile. Misuse or overuse can destroy the delicate balance of form and pattern that defines scenic beauty and attractive open space. Ironically, the most delicate and easily jeopardized scenic resources may be most threatened by the people who enjoy them.

At least one publication has applied these basic principles to the landscape that makes up the area in an effort to classify scenic resources. The report "Scenery Classification and Analysis", released in 1970, classified scenic resources around the state according to their farm, forest, town, or city orientation. It identified areas having high or potentially high resource values; it also identified which areas are vulnerable or jeopardized. According to "Scenery Classification and Analysis”, parts of northern and southern Rutland Town have high visual resource values.

Historic Structures

Areas that have historic value to present and future residents of the Town enrich the community greatly. As the Regional Plan states, "Standing buildings and structures may be important because of their significant architectural design and fine material and craftsmanship or because they illustrate an important aspect of history. "

Often they too help tell the stories of everyday life that were never written down. These clues to understanding our past can be found in such individual structures as elaborate mansions, simple workers’ houses, bridges, factories, and barns, as well as the groups they form in village centers, residential neighborhoods, and farm or industrial complexes. Historic structures, through their locations, architectural features, and historical associations, testify to patterns of Vermont life in the late 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries and serve as the visible reminders of the occupations, activities, philosophies, and priorities of Vermonters who came before us.

The Town has a large number of historic structures, which are described in the Rutland Town chapter of "The Historic Architecture of Rutland County". According to this report, there are 86 properties listed on the Vermont Historic Places Register. Of these, the majority are residences. However, they also include farms, mills, a powerhouse, a bridge, a post office, and a church. The Town also includes one officially recognized historic district. This district, which is located at the intersection of BR 4 and East Proctor Road and called the Center Rutland historic district, consists of 24 of the Town’s 86 historic properties.

Water Resources

Water resources include both surface waters such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs, streams, wetlands as well as ground water contained in the pores of soil materials such as aquifers and springs.

Watersheds

In order to discuss a community's water resources in a meaningful way, it is important to first understand the nature of the community's watersheds. A watershed is a distinct, topographically defined land area that drains into a single river, river system, or standing body of water. Because rivers join to become larger rivers, many watersheds may be considered "subwatersheds" of larger watersheds. As one would expect, the activities taking place in a watershed play a critical role in the quality of the water draining from it. If a watershed is mostly agricultural, for example, then the quality of the water leaving that watershed will reflect prevailing agricultural practices. If a watershed is mostly forested, then the water leaving that watershed will reflect prevailing forestry practices.

A watershed also defines the land that contributes water towards the watershed’s supply. Public water supply watersheds, inducing Rutland City’s, lie within Rutland Town and need to be carefully guarded from contamination and adverse impacts to quantity of supply.

The City of Rutland holds 4,400 acres of “Class A” Watershed in Mendon and water is transmitted to a filtration system in Rutland Town. These lands should receive the highest level of protection. Should septic systems, faulty sewer lines, landfills or other types of development be located too close to the supply, contamination may result. Likewise, should significant or intense development requiring on-site water sources occur within or immediately adjacent to the watershed, the quantity available to the public system could be adversely affected.

Rutland Town is located in watersheds feeding the Otter Creek. Otter Creek drains into Lake Champlain, making the Town a component of the Champlain Basin. Three major tributaries, Cold River, Clarendon River, and East Creek, join Otter Creek within the town's boundaries. Many small tributary streams drain the western flanks of the Green Mountains to form the headwaters of Cold, Moon, and Tenney Brooks.

 

Rivers and Streams and their corridors

Otter Creek is the most prominent watercourse in the town, providing a strong visual focus as it meanders through the fertile farmlands along the valley floor. Flowing northward, Otter Creek drains approximately 307 square miles of land by the time it reaches Center Rutland. Lands along the creek are highly productive wildlife areas offering significant habitats and range to wildlife and waterfowl. Otter Creek slopes very gradually, averaging only 1/2 to I foot per mile, contrasting sharply with its steep tributaries that may drop tens of feet per mile of river. Otter Creek is not subject to extreme flooding conditions because of its large valley storage capacities and tributaries that are well distributed along the river, helping to desynchronize flood crests.

East Creek, draining approximately 53 square miles, has several very steep tributaries draining the western slopes of the Green Mountain. Mendon Brook, a major tributary of East Creek, drains the majority of Green Mountain uplands in the Town of Mendon.

Stream Bank Erosion

The vast majority of flood damage suffered in Vermont is caused by “fluvial erosion”, that is, stream bank erosion.  To address this issue, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources sponsored a Stream Geomorphic Assessment (SGA) of the Otter Creek, Moon Brook, Mussey Brook and East Creek within Rutland Town.  The data indicates that these streams have been highly modified in the past to make room for human investments such as roads and houses.  These modifications have led to unstable stream systems resulting in increased flooding and erosion hazards, as well as compromised habitat for aquatic species.

Impaired Waters

 

There are several waterbodies that flow through Rutland Town that are considered “impaired”, meaning that they consistently do not meet Vermont Water Quality Standards. These waters include the Otter Creek, Mussey Brook, Moon Brook and East Creek. In addition, the Clarendon River is listed as “stressed” and has been identified as needing further assessment to address concerns about sedimentation, nutrient enrichment, high levels of pathogenic bacteria, and stormwater runoff due to agricultural runoff, industrial and urban runoff.

 

The Otter Creek mainstem is considered impaired due to high levels of pathogenic bacteria due to suspected agricultural runoff, malfunctioning septic systems, wastewater treatment plant overflows, and wildlife. In addition, the Otter mainstem is listed as “stressed” and has been identified as needing further assessment due to concerns about excessive sedimentation, organic enrichment, toxics, and metals.

 

The Moon Brook has been identified as consistently not meeting Vermont Water Quality Standards due to stormwater runoff. Increasing volumes of stormwater runoff from new impervious surfaces in the Moon Brook watershed are causing erosion, nutrient enrichment, toxicity in the water column or sediments and stream channel enlargement and /or movement. Stormwater management will be necessary for older intermitted and untreated stormwater discharges to Moon Brook.  A hydrologic analysis of the watershed and delineation of stormwater impact areas will have to be completed.

 

East Creek is also listed as impaired due to stormwater runoff, but unlike the Moon Brook watershed, this impairment is primarily related to combined sewer overflows from Rutland City. However, the Creek has also been identified as “stressed” due to low dissolved oxygen levels from hypolimnetic withdrawals of unlicensed hydro-electric facilities in Chittenden and Rutland Town. Additionally, geomorphic assessment of East Creek indicates that it continues to adjust from historic, physical modifications.

 

Tinmouth Stream becomes Clarendon River just below a wetland complex in the West Rutland area.  This is important in contributing to the high water quality and natural flow conditions in the Clarendon River. Thanks in part to this, the Clarendon River has very good spawning and nursery habitat throughout this reach for trout species which are an important sport fish on the river and in the State of Vermont. However, as the Clarendon River enters the more developed areas of West Rutland and Rutland Town, it becomes affected by thermal modification due to the loss of riparian vegetation as well as sedimentation from stormwater runoff and eroding streambanks. 

 

Stormwater

The management of storm water runoff is at once a simple concept and a complex problem. Precipitation runs off impervious surfaces rather than infiltrating naturally into the soil. The cumulative impact resulting from the increased frequency, volume, and flow rate of stormwater runoff events can lead to destabilization of downstream channels and can also result in increased wash-off pollutant loading to receiving waters.

Recent development activities – most notably the addition of several new businesses and their parking areas - have presented the Town with a challenge of minimizing pollution resulting from stormwater runoff. Several of these new developments, however, have proposed innovative solutions that propose to address these concerns. The Town, and State regulatory bodies, should pay close attention to these systems to determine their ongoing functionality. If they prove to be successful, officials could use them as models for addressing stormwater.

Floodplains

A floodplain is the flat land adjacent to rivers and streams that is periodically inundated to varying depths during periods of high water. Small floods tend to be more frequent than large ones. The 100-year flood frequency is used as the standard for delineating flood hazard areas by the Federal Insurance Administration. The 100 year flood will have a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The large 1927 flood is estimated to be a 100-year frequency and was used as a standard for mapping Rutland Town's floodplains.

Significant floodplain areas in Rutland Town include areas along Otter Creek. Of the 1,822 structures in the Town of Rutland, 53 structures are currently located in the mapped 100-year floodplain in Rutland Town. Of these 53 structures, 24 are residential and 15 are commercial,  and 7 are State of Vermont buildings and 7 garage/outbuildings. Building of additional structures in these areas is discouraged. The potential for flood damage in these areas is high and is likely to cause expense to land owners, the Town, and State and Federal Governments. As a participating town in the National Floodplain Insurance Program, the town has municipal jurisdiction regarding floodplain protection through floodplain management regulations adopted by the town.

Ponds

Only a handful of small ponds exist within Rutland Town, the largest of which is Rocky Pond on the edge of Pine Hill Park. No water quality data currently exists for the ponds within the Town. Both Muddy and Rocky Ponds have served the community as recreational resources for a number of years. In order to help maintain water quality and wildlife habitats within the town, however, vegetated shoreline buffer areas should be present.

Wetlands

Wetlands are land areas that are saturated with water at least part of the year. Although precise definitions vary, wetlands are normally identifiable by vegetation, soil type, and/or frequency of ponding. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, sloughs, fens, mud flats, and bogs. In addition to providing important wildlife habitat, values (or functions) of wetlands include storing stormwater (they store large quantities of water during periods of high runoff and gradually release water during low flow periods), purifying surface and groundwater supplies, recharging aquifers, controlling erosion, providing areas for recreation, and serving as education and research areas. Wetlands are of crucial importance to the surface water regime. It is important to note that loss of this storage capacity will not only adversely affect stream behavior, but will also increase floods and reduce stream flow during critical low flow periods.

Wetlands play a vital role in protecting and maintaining the water quality of our rivers and lakes. Wetlands are also important for the preservation of water quality and wildlife. Biological activity of a wetland area enables absorption and assimilation of nutrients, purifying, to some extent, the water that is discharged. Wetlands also play critical roles in the reproductive cycle of many threatened species. Wetlands support plants that can help purify water by taking up nutrients and incorporating them into plant materials while releasing oxygen. Finally, migratory birds use wetlands in the area as stops along the Atlantic Flyway. This habitat is crucial during several periods in a bird's life cycle, supplying quality breeding grounds and resting or staging areas essential for migration.

The National Wetlands Inventory was part of a federal effort to assess the degree to which wetlands are being lost on a national basis. It was based on aerial photography (rather than on-the-ground surveys). Consequently, some areas that would qualify as wetlands under state or federal law are not included. It has been estimated that as many as 20 to 30 percent of the state's class 3 wetlands are not included in the inventory.  As shown on map 1 of 2 Natural Resources Maps, the area in Rutland Town that is occupied by wetlands, as identified by the National wetlands Inventory is 562 acres, or 4.5 percent of the Town’s area.

Farming wetlands or draining wetlands for agriculture is not a significant problem in Bennington and Rutland counties. Drainage, filling, and fragmentation are more of an issue associated with development and road construction. There is still a general lack of understanding by the public of the important functions and values of wetlands. The wildlife habitat values of wetlands are better understood and appreciated than others. Education and outreach conducted by conservation districts and other partners would educate citizens as to the value of wetlands to reduce flooding, filter nutrients, and recharge ground water. Several federal programs are available for landowners use to enhance or protect wetlands including: WRP (Wetlands Reserve Program), WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program), CRP (Conservation Reserve Program), and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Vermont Land Trust, a nonprofit conservation organization, has also been very successful at protecting wetlands in Vermont.

(SEE WETLANDS ON NATURAL RESOURCES MAP)

State wetlands rules control development in wetlands rather than prohibit it outright. Farming and forestry uses, low impact recreation, utility poles, and incidental residential uses are allowed as long as the outlet of the wetland or its pattern of flow is not altered and dredge and fill restrictions are met. Federal law also governs the use of wetlands. Federal regulations are different from state regulations, although not necessarily more strict or more lenient. The primary federal law on wetlands is the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act regulates dredging and filling of all public waters, which include the nation's wetlands.

The Vermont Wetland Rules identify and protect 10 functions and values of "significant" wetlands and establish a 3-tier wetland classification system to identify such wetlands. The first two classes of wetlands (Class One and Class Two) are identified on the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory (VSWI) maps and are protected under the wetland rules.[9] Municipalities can further protect wetlands by limiting or prohibiting development in designated wetland areas in town zoning ordinances.

Groundwater

Groundwater is a critical water resource, particularly in a rural area such as Rutland Town. It meets needs for a range of uses, including residences, agriculture, and business.

The main reasons for planning for groundwater are to protect the health of area residents and insure adequate supplies of water for the future. Without clean groundwater supplies, the community could incur significant costs in terms of health and/or in locating alternative supplies.

Threats

Groundwater related planning issues facing the town appear limited to the potential impact of pollutants (particularly non-point pollutants) on the quality of local aquifer and groundwater supplies.

Similar to other areas of Vermont, non-point source pollution is the major source of water use impairment to surface waters in the Rutland Town. Unlike point source pollution, such as a direct discharge or outfall pipe, non-point source pollution is more diffuse, harder to quantify and more difficult to control. Examples of these are runoff from parking lots, back roads, fertilized lawns, and runoff from agricultural fields. It has been well documented that urban and suburban non-point sources contribute more phosphorus and sediment per acre than runoff from the working landscape.

Natural and Cultural Resources Objectives and Strategies

 

Land Resource Objective

·        Incorporate measures that provide protection for land resources which are lost once development occurs on them.

Land Resource Strategies

1.      The Town's primary agricultural soils should be conserved for agricultural uses if they are economically viable; development should be steered away from prime agricultural soils.

2.      Forested lands should be conserved to protect against erosion and to preserve their scenic and recreational qualities.

3.      Wildlife habitats in the Town should be conserved; the impacts of development and land use change on these habitats should be minimized through the use of conservation easements, purchase, lease, tax incentives, or other measures.

4.      All land development is discouraged on slopes greater than 15%.

5.      Sand and gravel operations should be carefully reviewed to ensure the public's safety and freedom from noise, dust, traffic and other intrusions in residential areas.

Historic Resource Objective

·        The preservation of historic structures and scenic, cultural, recreational, and unique natural resources is encouraged.

Water Resource Objective

·        Water resources in the Town should be protected so that water quality is maintained, access is preserved, erosion and encroachment are minimized, and public interests are advanced.

Water Resource Strategies

1.      Gravel aquifer and wellhead areas should be protected from development that would pollute or restrict the flow of water through porous soils.

2.      Any use or development proposed to be located within or adjacent to the watershed of a public water supply or community well system shall be carefully reviewed for potential detrimental effect to both the quality and quantity of the supply.

3.      Normally, no development or earth disturbance of any kind should occur within fifty (50) feet of any shoreline and no on-site septic disposal facilities should occur within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of any shoreline.

4.      Development in flood plains shall be in conformance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program as administered by the Town of Rutland.

5.      Land development resulting in the loss of wetland storage capacity, or impacting negatively on water quality is discouraged. 


HOUSING

Introduction

Housing, especially housing that the average Vermonter can afford, is an increasingly important issue for communities in Rutland County and the State of Vermont. This section supplements the information on Rutland Town's housing included in the community profile section of this plan, and includes an analysis of housing affordability in Rutland Town.

Housing Goal

Promote safe and affordable housing, of a variety of types, for all segments of the population.

 

 

Background Analysis

 

Existing Housing

As noted in Table 3 of the Community Profile section of this Plan, Rutland Town's housing stock was made up of 1761 housing units in 2000, up 16% from 1,522 units in 1990, the majority being single family units.

In the year 2000, 64% of owner-occupied housing units in the Town had been owned by the same owner for more than 10 years.  This compares to only 53% statewide.  The Town also has a higher percentage of owner-occupied housing units (77%) as compared to 71% statewide.[10]

 

Location of Housing

Homes are spread throughout most of Rutland Town, due to its location surrounding the City and relatively gentle topography. Homes to the north and west of the City are in mostly rural settings, while more widespread development to the east of the City has led to larger, more suburban-style neighborhoods. Multi-family housing is found primarily immediately adjacent to Rutland City to the east. Two senior housing complexes – the Gables and the Meadows - are also located in Rutland Town east of the City.  The Maples Senior Living Community recently expanded its facility in the City as it is located very close to Rutland Town.

Housing and Rental Cost

The availability and affordability of housing can play a significant role in the health and development of a regional community, especially where increased industrial and commercial business development is desired. The cost of housing and land has risen substantially throughout the Rutland Region over the past decade, and the price of homes in Rutland Town is consistently higher than the County as a whole.  The higher median home price in Rutland Town is the reason that Rutland Town was considered to be “significantly less affordable” for the median renter seeking to buy their first home in the Housing Needs Assessment. [11] However, the median home selling price increase between 2000-2007 was 64% for Rutland County and 57% in Rutland Town. 

In 2008, the average price of a primary residence in Rutland Town was $253,435.  This is 9.1% ($21,068) higher than the average price for primary residences in Vermont as a whole.

“Fair Market Rents” are estimates by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.  They are the dollar amount below which 40% of standard quality rental housing units rent, including the cost of utilities.  In other words, it’s like driving a Ford rather than a Cadillac.

Income needed to afford “Fair Market Rent” in 2009:[12]

                                                                                                In Town                       In Vermont

1 bedroom unit                                                                      $27,120                      $29,834

2 bedroom unit                                                                      $31,520                      $36,550

3 bedroom unit                                                                      $41,680                      $47,542

Median household income for a family of 4 in 2008         $56,300                      $61,100

The household income shown appears adequate to meet basic rental costs.  In addition, rental housing costs in Rutland Town were deemed to be comparable to neighboring communities by the Housing Needs Assessment. Rent affordability is commonly measured using the ratio of median rent to median renter income. Lower ratios indicate greater affordability. Rutland Town ranks 16th among the 27 towns in the Rutland Region for rent affordability.

Rutland Town has 65 privately-owned units of subsidized family housing units, which is a favorable number when compared with neighboring towns.

In the past two years there has been a nationwide downturn in the real estate market.  Prices on homes are dropping in response to a widespread financial “crisis”, including layoffs of workers, that is resulting in foreclosures on homes mortgaged beyond the means of their owners.  As the country grapples with this significant shift in the housing market, the federal government passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which provides certain first-time home buyers a grant of up to $8,000.  

 


Housing Objectives and Strategies

Objectives

·        Support the development of affordable housing, in areas most suitable in terms of housing need, environmental impact, employment opportunities, public services, and transportation.

·        Encourage the retention of existing affordable housing, and encourage the maintenance of aging housing units.

·        Assist public and private agencies involved in planning, financing, and developing affordable housing.

·        Encourage investors to provide subsidized housing units.

·        Promote a diversity of housing types and choice between rental and ownership in a variety of locations suitable for residential development and convenient to employment centers and shopping centers.

·        Encourage state action and relevant agencies to provide education about housing concerns and the dissemination of information regarding housing programs and funding sources.

 

Strategies

1.      Rutland Town should preserve its existing housing stock. Given the high cost of replacing housing units, which are lost to demolition or conversion to some other use, it is important that the community encourage preservation of existing housing.

2.      The town should allow the conversion of larger homes to multi-family housing if municipal sewer and water are available and as allowed by limits that control density.

3.      The Planning Commission should explore the need for a set of housing and rental building codes that can be recommended to the Selectboard in order to protect the health and safety of Rutland Town residents.

4.      The Town Administrator should be encouraged to provide easy access to information about affordable housing on the Town website. Include both educational material for the general public and information about housing resources available to those in need of affordable housing, or help purchasing a first home.


CHILD CARE

 

Introduction

Accessible, affordable, quality child care is integral to sound economic development planning and closely linked to the affordability of communities. Many families lead lives that require some type of child care outside the home.  Recognizing this reality, child care is an important community need.  Availability of child care can have direct positive effects on the growth and vitality of the community. 

 


Child Care Goal

Rutland Town families should have access to quality child care providers, to the extent practicable.

 

 

Background Analysis

In 2009, there were 70 licensed child care providers and registered child care homes in Rutland City and Rutland Town. Rutland Town itself is home to 3 registered child care homes; as of January 2009, only one of those showed a vacancy. It is important to recognize that while the Town’s resident population is relatively small, its role as a primary employment center in the Region creates a much greater need for services such as child care providers than other outlying communities. Information on each of these providers can be found at www.brightfuturesinfo.org.

 

 

Childcare Objectives and Strategies

 

Objectives

 

Strategies

1.      Town’s policies and ordinances should encourage provision of child care services

2.      Support programming by the Town’s school and Recreation Department for kids during after school and summer time hours.


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

 

Introduction

Rutland Town is a substantial force in the region’s economic health and vitality.  Rutland Town is home to a major industrial park, bustling commercial/retail activity, and numerous professional service jobs, government operations and home-based businesses.

 

 


Economic Development Goal

To increase the economic vitality of the Town including new business development that is balanced with environmental concerns and the provision of public safety.

 

 

Background Analysis

 

There are five businesses in the region employing over 500 workers.[13] These establishments represent the manufacturing, healthcare, utilities and recreation industries.  General Electric and CVPS, which have facilities in Rutland Town, are among these top regional employers. 

 

Rutland Town has a good mix of industrial and commercial development representing a diversity of business types.  The town also has land and buildings available that could provide additional room to grow.  These companies provide jobs to local town residents and people from the surrounding region.  According to the 2000 Census, the majority of Rutland Town’s workforce have jobs very close to home with 33% working in Rutland Town and 39% working in Rutland City.  Of the total number of Rutland Town residents in the workforce, 96% work within Rutland County.  This is higher than countywide proportions where 87% of the workers living in the County also work within the County. 

 

In 2000, 95% of all jobs in Rutland Town were filled by people who lived within Rutland County.  43% of the jobs in town were filled by Town residents.  16% of jobs in town were filled by Rutland City residents (5% by West Rutland residents, 5% by Clarendon residents, 4% by Pittsford residents, lesser amounts by all others).  

 

Strengths

·         This part of Vermont is known for its hard work ethic.  Rutland Town is no exception and the town’s unemployment rate, perhaps for this reason, is very low.  The average unemployment rate in 2007 was 2.1% in Rutland Town as compared to 4.2% in Rutland County.

 

·         Rutland Town public officials have demonstrated their commitment to proactive economic development.  They maintain an informative website, express a pro-growth attitude, and provide support to prospective developers during the Act 250 permitting process. 

 

Weaknesses

·         Rutland Town has limited capacity to directly provide wastewater treatment and water supply to its commercial and industrial areas.  These services are provided through contractual agreements with Rutland City.  This can cause some uncertainty for potential developers seeking extension of lines or new levels of service.  It is also difficult for Rutland Town officials to control the fees.

 

·         Rutland Town is a “one acre” town due to its lack of zoning regulations.  This means that commercial/industrial development on more than one acre is subject to the Act 250 permit process.  This situation removes most permitting decisions from local review and increases the permitting burden on developers.  In 2008, the Rutland Town Planning Commission proposed a Town Zoning Ordinance for consideration by the Town Selectboard.  With Zoning, any substantial new commercial and industrial development on parcels under 10 acres would be removed from the Act 250 permitting process, and permitting decisions would be made locally.  However, existing developments with an Act 250 permit on record would remain under the jurisdiction of Act 250.

 

·         Transportation in this region, and within Rutland Town, is generally adequate.  As the primary method of transport for goods and people, as well as emergency response, the road system is weakened by its limited redundancy (alternative routes).  Needed freight rail line improvements, lack of an interstate highway, and limited and vulnerable road and bridges can present challenges to the Rutland Region’s economic growth.  However, Rutland Town’s commercial and manufacturing sectors occupy some of the best available locations with respect to transportation.

 

·         The population of Rutland County grew by only two percent between 1990 and 2000, a much slower rate than the State. This has an impact on available workforce.  The ability to find qualified employees is constraining business growth across industry sectors. Extensive interviews with the Region’s employers[14] have revealed that the availability of a trained workforce is limiting job growth. Skilled people, especially highly specialized professionals, set to retire are not easily replaced by the existing, younger workforce. This has resulted in some companies foregoing opportunities for expansion. In some sectors, there has been a need to import workers from outside the Region, including internationally.

 

·         There are a number of highly visible properties in Rutland Town which were once in active commercial or industrial use that have fallen into disrepair, at times leaving a less than favorable impression of the area to people, including prospective developers.

 

Opportunities

·         Seventy-four percent of all private businesses in the county are small, unincorporated businesses with owner operators and no employees.  This region has a high rate of home based businesses.  From maple syrup producers to magazine editors, Rutland Town is home to many entrepreneurs using the Internet to conduct business and this sector has a vast potential for expansion.

 

·         The Rutland Region is located within less than one hour’s drive from several small cities with strong economies that influence our area, notably Ludlow, Middlebury, Manchester, and Woodstock.  Burlington, VT and Albany, NY – both sizable metropolitan areas – are within a couple of hours drive of this Region. Several major metropolitan centers including New York City, Montreal, and Boston are all within half-a-day driving distance.

 

·         An inter-municipal committee exists that provides an opportunity for public officials from Rutland Town to communicate with public officials in Rutland City about key agreements and other matters.

 

·         Stafford Technical Center has a flexible program design that seeks to meet the needs of local businesses by tailoring the training programs offered to students.  It also offers evening programs to adults seeking to increase their skills.

 

·         The area is home to four colleges: College of St Joseph, Community College of Vermont, Castleton State College and Green Mountain College.  Vermont Technical College is within commuting distance.  These schools are excellent assets offering programs that are responsive to community needs. 

 

·         Agriculture in the region is diversifying and changing, bringing new enterprises and direct marketing opportunities through expanded Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture programs, as well as increased sales of local foods through more traditional retail outlets.  This focus on “local foods” is increasing the economic viability of farms.

 

 

Threats

·         As telecommunications technology continues to develop and use becomes more widespread, expectations are rising to the point that those without access to the latest technologies, or with limited access such as dial-up Internet services, are at-risk of being left behind.

 

·         A recent termination of a tax stabilization program in Rutland Town has resulted in significant tax increases to large properties.  This is threatening the loss of some agricultural lands.

 

·         Numerous State regulations and legislative decisions have a direct impact on the town’s economic future. 

 

 

Economic Development Objectives and Strategies

 

Objectives

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategies

1.      Identify community growth areas suitable for locating new firms that reflect the Region’s value and quality of life.

2.      Seek resources to upgrade infrastructure, including roads, bridges, rail network, water supply, sewer, and telecommunications.

3.      Identify and assist in the redevelopment of vacant lots appropriate for infill development.

4.      Encourage design of commercial architecture in keeping with region’s unique character.

5.      Identify opportunities for inter-municipal collaboration.

6.      Build agricultural viability by assisting efforts to improve distribution networks and necessary infrastructure.

7.      Help to create a region that attracts and retains young people and professional families.

8.      Continue to insist on governmental sensitivity to restrain and reduce increases in property taxation.

9.      Continue to fight for a drug-free community so as to protect the Town’s children.

10.  Town officials should maintain support for operations of the prime identified employers.

11.  Establish a long-term water and sewer contract with City with favorable fee structures.

12.  Explore the development of more localized water and sewer systems.

13.  Recommend a review of local business taxes to determine if a revision is appropriate in order to be more supportive to new and existing businesses.

14.  Form a Legislative action group.

15.  Begin discussion with the City regarding creation of telecommunications infrastructure that will improve connectivity at a level of service needed by businesses.

16.  Support marketing efforts by the Rutland Economic Development Corporation and the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce that represent the assets of Rutland City and Rutland Town as a package.

17.  Adopt Zoning for the Town so that more permitting decisions are made locally.

 

FUTURE LAND USE

The purpose of the following land use districts is to provide for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and resource conservation areas to serve the Town of Rutland and the Rutland Region. In various districts, a choice of housing, employment, shopping, educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities should be provided, with support from economical and high quality governmental and public utility facilities and services.

The districts were derived from the combination of the following:

(1) Existing land use patterns.

(2) The goals and objectives for accommodating future growth, and;

(3) The suitability of the Town for various prospective land uses:

The Land Use Districts are shown on the Land Use Map entitled Town of Rutland, Vermont Future Land Use Map which is incorporated by reference as a part of this Plan.

(SEE FUTURE LAND USE MAP)

Land Use Districts

 

NOTE: Uses and minimum lots sizes listed in the following districts are recommendations and are strongly encouraged to be followed. At the local level, implementation of use and lot size requirements would take place through a zoning regulation.

R40A - Neighborhood Residential - Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet.

Description: Areas of existing settlement within the town, selected adjacent areas, and areas suitable for modest density residential development.

Some areas within the R40A district have poor suitability for development based on physical factors such as soils or slope. However, the lack of physical suitability in these areas can be offset by their suitability based on location as well as social, or economic factors.

Purpose: To maintain the traditional social and physical character of these areas.

Permitted uses: May include but are not limited to single and two-family dwellings, accessory facilities, home occupations, churches, and agriculture.

 

R40B - Planned Residential - Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet where water and sewer service not provided; 20,000 square feet where water and sewer service provided.

Description: Lands which are suitable for intensive development because of their suitability for on-site sewage disposal and/or the presence of municipal sewer systems.

Purpose: To provide for higher density residential development in areas that are suitable for such development due to the capability of the land or the presence of public sewer facilities. Residential development occurring in this district should provide for a variety of dwelling types and, through the use of clustering techniques and their associated higher density, allow for reduced construction costs, conservation of open space and prime agricultural soils, and buffering between lower and higher density development.

Permitted uses: Same permitted uses as allowed in R40A District, plus multi-family dwellings containing up to four (4) units, open space, and residential clustering.

Clustering: Residential development may be clustered according to the following provisions:

Open Space Requirement. Residential development may be clustered provided that at least one half of a parcel is designated as open space; the remaining portion is considered the parcel's developable area.

Development Density. Up to three single-family residential structures per acre of developable area may be constructed.

Maximum Number of Units per Structure. The maximum number of residential units per structure is four.

Minimum Development Size. The minimum size of a clustered residential development is 80,000 square feet.

 

R40C - Residential/Commercial - Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet

Description: Areas with commercial activity compatible with residential uses and having capability for future sewer services;

Purpose: To allow for a mixture of light commercial, single-family and duplex residential, and agricultural uses.

Permitted uses: Agriculture, single and two-family residential, recreation, light commercial.

 AH - Affordable Housing - Minimum lot size: 20,000 square feet where sewer services provided; 40,000 square feet where sewer services not provided; higher densities allowed where units are clustered.

Description: Developed and undeveloped land located in relatively close proximity to sewer service and transportation with potential for affordable housing development.

Purpose: To accommodate residential development at densities high enough to allow affordable per unit costs.

Permitted Uses: Single family and two family dwelling, multi-family dwellings, home occupations, residence-related recreation and accessory facilities.

Clustering: Up to6 single family residential units per acre may be constructed, provided half of the entire parcel of land is not developed. A residential unit is defined as the dwelling space occupied by one family.

 

AGR40 - Agricultural - Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet per I 0 acres (example: one 40 acre parcel could support four 40,000 sq. ft. dwelling lots)

Description: Areas that are presently being farmed or are prime farmlands with potential to be farmed.

Purpose: To protect existing farms from development and to maintain prime farmland for future farming purposes.

Permitted uses: May include but are not limited to agriculture, residential (limited as shown in minimum lot size), recreation, open space.

 

RR10 - Rural Residential - Minimum lot size: 10 acres.

Description: Areas which are presently wooded or open and have rural character that should be conserved through large lot development.

Purpose: To provide for residential and other compatible uses at densities of one unit per ten (1 0) acres. Open space preservation and other techniques for preserving the rural character of these areas are encouraged.

Permitted Uses: Single family and two family residences at a density of one unit per ten (10) acres. Neighborhood, noncommercial public and private recreation should be allowed on a conditional basis contingent upon favorable size conditions.

 

CNS - Conservation - Minimum lot size: 25 acres for single-family residential.

Description: Special forest and/or open lands which are of particular ecological or aesthetic importance. Includes public watersheds as well as certain lands that are not well suited for residential or commercial development because of topography, soil composition, or wetlands.

Purpose: To preserve certain forest and open lands in a relatively undeveloped state and/or to protect public watersheds, wetlands, and water supplies.

Permitted uses: Forestry, including accessory buildings, and single-family residential with a minimum 25 acres per dwelling unit and residentially related outbuildings.

 

C - Commercial - minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet where sewer service provided; 80,000 square feet where sewer services not provided.

Description: Land located on arterials that are suitable for commercial clusters that could serve as part of the regional retail center.

Purpose: To cluster and consolidate a variety of retail and other commercial services in suitable locations to meet the needs of local and regional residents. The character of the area should be protected and enhanced with the provision of landscaping and screening. The scale of development in this district should be compatible with adjacent commercial and residential structures. Residential development may be permitted but is strongly discouraged.

Permitted uses: Retail/service shops, restaurants, banks, offices, wholesalers, craft production, commercial centers, residential, recreational.

IC - Industrial/Commercial- Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet with sewer service, 80,000-sq. ft. without sewer service.

Description: Existing industrial and commercial developments that have favorable site conditions, are serviced by public sewer and have access to arterial highways and/or rail facilities.

Purpose: To accommodate the expanding retail and industrial sectors of the town. Provides for employment opportunities in manufacturing, warehousing, research and development, and commercial uses which specifically serve the industries or their employees in areas serviced by good transportation facilities and public utilities.

Permitted uses: Industrial and commercial uses including light manufacturing and distribution of goods and materials.

 

Utility - Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet.

Description: Developed and undeveloped land owned by electric utilities.

Purpose: To accommodate the town's utility based uses and facilities.

Permitted Uses - Utility related garages, workshops, offices, warehouses, and meeting areas.

 Municipal/Government - Minimum lot size: 40,000 square feet.

Description: Lands currently used or planned to be used, for municipal and governmental purposes, including schools, town offices, fire stations, police headquarters, recreation facilities, landfills, salt storage facilities, highway maintenance garages, and cemeteries.

Purpose: To accommodate essential public facilities and services.

Permitted Uses: Municipal and governmental uses.

 

EXISTING BARNS AND FARM SHEDS

Due to their potential for beneficial commercial and residential uses, barns and farm sheds existing as of December 23, 1993 may earn exemption from district permitted use requirements. Specifically, such barns and sheds may be converted to light commercial or high density residential uses when it can be demonstrated that the proposed use will be compatible with, and not have a significant negative impact on, surrounding uses.

 

Relationship of the Plan to Neighbors

This Plan is broadly compatible with the plans and development trends of its bordering communities and of the Rutland Region. Each of these plans is (or recently has been) regionally approved, indicating that they all have been consistent with the State Planning Goals outlined in 24 VSA Chapter 117.

Rutland town is a focal point for the Region. It is located at the economic, transportation, and population center of Rutland Region and has its largest watercourse running throughout. Policies set by the Town of Rutland influence the entire Region.

The Town borders seven municipalities, including Rutland City, which it surrounds, and touches one other. Land development trends and plan policies relating to the borders of each of these communities has impacts on all towns involved.

An analysis of the plans of neighboring towns reveals several key trends and compatibilities:

·          Rutland Town encircles the City of Rutland. Together, the two municipalities are home to the largest concentration of homes, businesses, and services in the Rutland Region. The Plan for Rutland City calls for “gateway” commercial districts at its borders with Rutland Town on Routes 7, 4, and Business 4, along with a primary business area in its downtown core. Uses encouraged in these gateway districts are compatible with those proposed in Rutland Town. The two communities are not in full agreement regarding where economic development should be focused. Both, however, promote prosperity, ease of transportation mobility, and sensitivity to natural resources. The two communities have worked well together to resolve key issues such as Route 4 & 7 upgrades, and should use this a model for future joint efforts.

 

·          Clarendon shares Rutland Town’s southern border and road connections along US Route 7 and Creek Road. The two plans promote differing land use policies in the immediate area of Route 7; while Rutland Town proposes industrial and commercial uses, Clarendon proposes Residential and commercial activities. East and west of the Route 7 corridor, proposed uses are closely related. As development pressure along the Route 7 corridor continues, a joint meeting of the two communities’ planning commission could help identify different perspectives and potential common goals.

 

·          West Rutland borders Rutland Town at its southwestern edge. The two communities share the Business Route 4 corridor and agricultural and residential lands. Both communities’ plans encourage commercial development in the vicinity of Business Route 4. The two towns should coordinate efforts to encourage business development and traffic safety, and to explore opportunities for improved bicycle and pedestrian amenities.

 

·          Proctor borders Rutland Town at its northwestern edge and shares VT Route 3. The border area also includes the greatest concentration of undeveloped land in Rutland Town, stretching from Pine Hill Park in Rutland City to near the edge of Proctor’s village. Proctor’s plan calls for forested areas in the highlands and agriculture along Route 3.

 

·          Pittsford shares Rutland town’s northern border and the US Route 7 corridor. The area is primarily agricultural and rural residential in both communities, but is slowly converting towards greater concentrations of commercial and residential uses. Both towns will need to pay special attention to balancing their goals of promoting affordable housing, businesses, and agricultural activities. Evidence of multiple wildlife roadkills in the vicinity of Route 7 also suggests a need to be cautious about future development in this area.

 

·          Chittenden and Rutland Town share a small border in the Town’s northeast corner. The area has been popular for residential development in recent years. The Town of Chittenden does not have a plan in place, though it is actively working on one.

 

·          Mendon forms Rutland Town’s eastern border; the two share the US 4 corridor and a large stretch of watershed leading from the Green Mountains into the Otter Creek. The two also share Town Line road, whose eastern side is in Mendon and western side is in Rutland Town. The two will need to coordinate efforts in this area to ensure compatibility. The Route 4 area is designated for commercial activity in both communities, with Mendon slowly developing a village area near the Rutland Town border. Two impaired waterways, the Moon and Mussey Brooks, cross through Mendon and in to Rutland Town.

 

·          The Town of Rutland shares a point with Shrewsbury, but no land area.

 

·          Rutland Town is located in the center of the Rutland Region. The Rutland Regional Plan, last adopted in April of 2008, calls for “High Density Development” through much of the southern half of Rutland Town, and for “Medium Density Development” in the northern half of the Town.

 

Policies associated with these districts state:

 

o       “Development in medium density areas should serve to reinforce neighborhood-scale town centers and villages and make efficient use of limited infrastructure and space. Where medium density activities already exist outside these centers, future growth and development should seek to create more efficient use of land and infrastructure”

o        “Development in high density areas, including downtowns, sub-regional centers, and industrial / business parks should be concentrated to make efficient use of the Region’s most concentrated infrastructure”.



[1] US Census Bureau, SF 1, 2000

[2] US Census Bureau Estimates, 2007

[3] US Census Bureau, SF 3 2000

[4] VT Center for Independent Living, Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research

 

 

[5] Source: Energy Information Administration. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=VT visited 5-3-2007

[6] US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Vermont 50 m Wind Power, http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/maps_template.asp?stateab=vt visited 5-3-2007

[7] Source: Rutland Regional Planning Commission, using GIS analysis of prime and statewide agricultural soils overlain by Vermont E-911 data points.

[8] Source: Rutland Regional Planning Commission, using GIS analysis of prime and statewide agricultural soils overlain by Vermont E-911 data points.

[9] VT DEC/Water Quality Division, Wetland Regulation

[10] “Vermont Housing Data Profiles” at www.housingdata.org, accessed March 4, 2009.

 

[11] Rutland County Housing Needs Assessment, January 2005. Completed by John Ryan, Development Cycles. For the purposes of this study, Rutland town was considered alongside communities of similar population: Brandon, Pittsford, West Rutland, Castleton, Fair Haven, Poultney, Clarendon, and Wallingford.

[12] “Vermont Housing Data Profiles” at www.housingdata.org, accessed March 4, 2009.

[13] Rutland Economic Development Corporation, www.rutlandeconomy.com, accessed February 27, 2009.

[14] Conducted by the Rutland Region Workforce Investment Board in 2005.