On January 26, 2009, Berkshire was awarded $10,300 in state funds to complete an update to the Berkshire Town Plan. This grant comes from the state Municipal and Regional Planning Fund, which was established in 1988 to help Vermont municipalities develop and implement their town plans. Berkshire was one of 40 towns across Vermont selected in a competitive award process. The projects funded this year will support planning activities such as updating town plans, maps and zoning bylaws, as well as planning-related downtown and village revitalization projects.
Berkshire is the second fastest growing community in Franklin County according to the percent change in estimated population from 2000-2007 (U.S. Census). This population growth is evident by the new housing units that are beginning to spot the countryside, particularly along West Berkshire Road, Water Tower Road, and Berkshire Center Road. Updating the Town Plan is important because it will provide the community an opportunity to discuss how the town is growing and changing, identify long-term goals to work towards for the future, and decide on important short-term projects to work on in the next 5 years. The Town Plan is also the basis for the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations that guide development in Berkshire.
The Planning Commission held a Community Meeting to kick off the project on Thursday May 14, 2009 at the Berkshire Town Office. About 10 residents joined the planning commission to discuss the future of the community. Small groups discussed the following topics: housing growth and land use patterns; energy planning; community infrastructure, facilities, and services; and natural resources.
Notes from Small Group Discussions can viewed here.
