§ 2790 - Legislative policy and purpose
§ 2790. Legislative policy and purpose
(a) The general assembly finds that economically strong downtowns are critical to the health and well-being of Vermont's communities; that downtowns are the natural location for both small businesses, which represent the largest growth sector in Vermont's economy, and other uses that together constitute the diverse fabric of communities that define Vermont's quality of life; that downtowns enable residents and visitors to access services and business with minimal transportation needs, and thus benefit the environment. The general assembly further finds that downtowns represent a long-term investment of public and private infrastructure, and that our scenic and historic downtowns are a natural attraction for tourists and contribute greatly to Vermont's overall quality of life. The general assembly further finds that a major factor inhibiting the vitality of downtown areas is lack of reasonable access to them by workers, residents and visitors, and that by this act it is the specific intent of the general assembly to improve access to downtown areas by providing assistance to municipalities for downtown transportation infrastructure, particularly parking facilities.
(b) It is therefore the intent of the general assembly, by this act, to preserve and encourage the development of downtown areas of municipalities of the state; to encourage public and private investment in infrastructure, housing, historic preservation, transportation including parking facilities, and human services in downtown areas; and to reflect Vermont's traditional settlement patterns, and to minimize or avoid strip development or other unplanned development throughout the countryside on quality farmland or important natural and cultural landscapes.
(c) While it is the intent of the general assembly by this act to rehabilitate and preserve the vitality of historic downtown areas of the state, the general assembly also recognizes the equal importance of providing incentives to communities with no historic downtown areas in order to assist those communities to plan and develop their emerging downtowns. Accordingly, the commissioner of housing and community affairs is directed to consult with municipal officials in such communities and recommend to the general assembly on or before January 1, 1999 appropriate means and incentives to encourage the development and planning of emerging downtown centers which serve the purpose of a central district of the community and the center for socio-economic interaction, with a cohesive core of commercial and mixed use buildings, with appropriate density to minimize or avoid strip development.
(d) The general assembly finds that Vermont's communities face challenges as they seek to accommodate growth and development while supporting the economic vitality of the state's downtowns, village centers, and new town centers and maintaining the rural character and working landscape of the surrounding countryside. While it is the intention of the general assembly to give the highest priority to facilitating development and growth in downtowns and village centers whenever feasible, when that is not feasible, the general assembly further finds that:
(1) A large percentage of future growth should occur within duly designated growth centers that have been planned by municipalities in accordance with smart growth principles and Vermont's planning and development goals pursuant to section 4302 of this title.
(2) Designated growth centers, if properly located and scaled, will serve to support the state's downtowns, village centers, and new town centers by encouraging new residential neighborhoods and compatible civic, commercial, and industrial uses to locate within proximity to historic community centers.
(3) Designated growth centers will provide a cost-effective means of allocating and targeting limited municipal and state resources to those areas specifically planned to accommodate and support concentrated development and a large percentage of future growth.
(4) Designated growth centers will provide a mechanism for concentrating private investment in those areas targeted for growth and development through public investments and incentives, and by establishing a process that will effectively reduce cost and delay in the permitting and approval of development.
(5) Designated growth centers will accomplish these goals if they are economically viable, they are appropriately planned to accommodate future growth needs and a mix of uses, they originate at the municipal or regional level, and they are recognized by the state under state planning, financing, and permitting programs. (Added 1997, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 183 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)