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Rural Area Zoning
Hinesburg character and economy goes far beyond the exciting and sometimes controversial happenings in the village area. To quote from the Town Plan, “The character of the Town of Hinesburg and the identification of Hinesburg’s Village as a distinct commercial center depend on the sense of separation and lower development densities provided by open spaces and rural vistas within the town. In order to preserve this character, particular attention should be paid to balancing growth pressures with preservation of rural vistas as well as the working forested and agricultural landscape.”

For over a decade, the Planning Commission has been discussing ways to make our land use regulations more consistent with the rural area vision expressed in the Town Plan. Furthering the goals of the Town Plan as well as improving the flexibility and predictability of the development review process are central goals in this effort. Based on feedback from a public forum in November 2009 (see below for info from that forum), the Planning Commission has been focused since January 2011 on three areas:
  1. Expanding the list of allowed uses to better enable innovative farm/forest based operations that the current regulations did not anticipate or permit – e.g., farm/forest tourism (on-farm café, tours, inns, etc.); on-farm processing/warehousing/slaughter; forest cordwood operations; commercial composting; etc.
  2. Clearly defining maximum residential development potential based in part on a property’s unique mix of natural features and site constraints.
  3. Revising our rural area design standards to better ensure new development will be in concert with important resource areas.
 We hope to have a package of proposed regulatory revisions ready for formal public hearings in 2012. In the mean time, we are seeking additional public feedback and dialogue to help guide and inform this effort.

Here’s How You Can Get Involved:


October 26, 2011 – Rural By Design Community Forum –  Town Hall, 7pm, Dessert and Beverages provided –  Please bring one or more non-perishable food items for the Hinesburg Food Shelf
Format: social time for casual conversation and tasty desserts, brief presentation, followed by small group discussions.
  • Consider allowing innovative rural area uses to keep rural land intact and our rural economy working
  • Learn about design standards for wildlife habitat, scenic resources, agricultural soils, etc.
  • Vote on which of these resources are most important to you
  • Discuss what rural character means with your fellow Hinesburgers
October 29, 2011 – Scenic Scavenger Hunt –  Touring Hinesburg’s Scenic Resources from 10 a.m. – Noon, Lunch provided –  Meet at Town Hall at 10am
Format: gather, get instructions, tour a portion of Town, return with data, stories, and for lunch.
  • Help identify and map Hinesburg’s most important scenic vistas and resources
  • Rate locations shown on our draft scenic resource map
  • Hunt for and record scenic areas not shown on the map
It could be a long view of Camels Hump, a particularly beautiful historic home right along the road, or a special vista that combines the foreground, the long distance views, and a rolling field and wooded hillside in the middle.

Break out of the traditional evening meeting, and help us identify those special places define Hinesburg’s rural character! Bring a friend or a family member for a fun morning and lunch. RSVP not required, but appreciated so as to gauge lunch quantities. RSVP to Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner) at hinesburgplanning@gmavt.net or 482-2281 ext 225.
**TENTATIVE** February 8, 2012 – How Big, Hinesburg? - Defining Density Community Forum
Format: presentation on work to date followed by discussion on decision points and implications.

Unlike many communities, Hinesburg doesn’t have a simple formula to define the development potential for any given parcel of land. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, and get this done in order to add more predictability to the review process, protect rural character, preserve the land’s equity and the landowner’s equity, and minimize tax burden by minimizing the need for expensive, future municipal investments (e.g., rural area road widening, paving, etc.).
Ongoing – Living Room Meetings
Curious to get the scoop on this rural area zoning issue? Want to have an informal discussion, outside of a meeting format, about the implications for your property or your neighborhood? Contact Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner) to set up a time and a place to meet with him and/or a member of the Planning Commission– yes, this includes house calls!
Ongoing – Group Meetings
Is your community group interested or concerned about Hinesburg’s rural landscape and possible regulatory changes? Want to get more information directly at one of your group’s upcoming meetings? Contact Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner), and we’ll bring the conversation to your group’s next meeting in order to provide information (briefly, we promise) and to answer questions.
Ongoing – Regular Planning Commission Meetings
The rural area zoning topic is the Planning Commission’s top priority going forward, so it will be a standing discussion item at regular PC meetings, which are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Office. All are welcome. Drop by and join the conversation!

 

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