Comparing Cottonwood

Here are the two pre-application plans for Cottonwood Crossing submitted in 2015. You can move the slider back and forth to compare them:
Here is a comparison between the approved final plan for Cottonwood from 2010 and the most recent 2015 pre-application submission:

The latest proposal will be reviewed buy the Williston DRB at their November 10, 2015 hearing in the Town Hall meeting Room at 7:30 PM.

Three Cottonwood Plans

The Approved Final Plans for Cottonwood Crossing in 2010

The Initial Pre-Application Plans submitted for Cottonwood Crossing in Fall of 2015

The Pre-Application Plans for Cottonwood Crossing submitted on November 2, 2015 for

Cottonwood Crossing - Revised Site Plan

Below is a scan of the revised site plan for the Cottonwood Crossing development proposal.  The town's DRB will be discussing this again at their November 10, 2015 meeting.

Planning Commission News: Commission recommends approval of a Specific Plan for the New England Theological Seminary at the site of the former Pine Ridge School

At its hearing on October 6, 2015, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a Specific Plan to allow the New England Theological Seminary (NETS) to establish a residential theological seminary at the site of the former Pine Ridge School. A Specific Plan would change the zoning on the property to allow the NETS use on the property, which is otherwise not allowed. The Pine Ridge School, in addition to having been established prior to zoning in the area, might have qualified for a partial exemption from local zoning under state law. For those reasons, establishing a new type of school like a residential theological seminary requires a Specific Plan approval to amend the zoning bylaw for the property.

Overall Plan as submitted by NETS

The Specific Plan now needs to be reviewed and heard by the Selectboard. If the Selectboard approves the Specific Plan, NETS will be able to proceed with an application before the Development Review Board. 

New Bylaw and Zoning Map Available Online

Williston Officials, Staff, Citizens, and other Interested Parties:

The latest version of the Williston Unified Development bylaw and Official Zoning map are now available on the Town’s website.

The Bylaw can be downloaded as a single document here, or as individual chapters and sections here. In addition to the text of the bylaw, the new Official Zoning Map is available here, and other maps referenced by and adopted as part of the bylaw are here.

This new version of the bylaw represents the first time the boundaries on the Zoning Map have changed since June of 2009. These changes reflect the creation of the Lake Iroquois Shoreline Protection Area (LISPA) and the establishment of a new zoning district, the Gateway Zoning District West (GZDW).

Please do not hesitate to contact the staff at Williston Planning and Zoning at (802) 878-6704 with any questions you have about the new bylaw and maps. 

Town Plan Discussions and Development Applications

Hi everybody-

Matt Boulanger here. When I'm not providing staff support to the Planning Commission, I also staff the Historic and Architectural Advisory Committee (HAAC). The HAAC provides comment and guidance to the Zoning Administrator and the development review board (DRB) regarding development proposals in Williston Village and within the Design Review District, which is the Taft Corners area as well as commercial property fonting on Williston Road, Route 2A, Industrial Avenue, and Marshall Avenue.

The HAAC has also begun looking at the chapters of the current Town Plan (The 2011 version) to determine if they, as a group, would like to make any recommendations for changes. last night, we looked at the Land Use chapter of the plan. 

The HAAC also reviewed a pre-application proposal for a project called Cottonwood Crossing, on the former driving range Property next to Maple Tree Place. As currently proposed, this project would include 268 dwelling units and about 100,000 square feet of commercial space. This makes it the largest single project that has been proposed in Williston since Finney Crossing.  The entire application can be viewed at the planning and zoning offices, but here's an overview of the proposal:

The pre-application hearing for this project will be held on October 13, 2015 in the town Hall Meeting Room at 7:30 PM.

An Update on the Town Plan Process

Since hosting our kickoff meetings in May, the Planning Commission (the Commission) has been dedicating some of their time at every one of their meetings over the summer to the town plan. Why only some? Well, just because we need to update the Town Plan, the world doesn't stop turning!

While work on the Town Plan IS a huge component of the Commission's work, they are also responsible for addressing requests for changes to the Williston Unified Development Bylaw (WDB), the 320+ page rulebook for land use and development in Williston, and for requests by applicants for the approval of Specific Plans.

Specific Plans are like miniature town plan and bylaw updates, in that an applicant who wants to do something with a piece of land that isn't allowed by the WDB can apply to the Commission to change the rules just for their piece of property.

So, before we dive into the Town Plan process, here's a quick list of other items the Commission has been working on since May:

• The Commission reviewed a Specific Plan request for the former Pine Ridge School Property. the applicant, the New England Theological Seminary (NETS) proposes to establish a postgraduate residential pastor training program and campus on the site using the existing buildings. NETS also proposes to permanently protect much of the land on the site from future development and to make some of it available for public access.  The reason NETS needs a specific Plan approval to locate on the site is that the land is zoned Agricultural Rural Residential (ARZD) and the only allowed uses in that zone are farming and residential uses. 
• The Commission reviewed proposed bylaw changes to allow limited "restaurant" uses in the industrial Zoning District West (IZDW), where those uses are an accessory to a manufacturing facility. This change will allow breweries in Williston some more flexibility in terms of how they are able to serve beer on premises. Breweries that serve a small amount of food as a "restaurant" under the amended bylaw will be better able to obtain a "restaurant" liquour license from the state- which allows them to serve pints of beer at the brewery and not just sample "flights." 
• The Commission reviewed bylaw changes creating a new zoning district, the Gateway West District (GZDW), on certain parcels fronting Williston Road in the vicinity of South Brownell Road. these parcels, which were previously zoned only for residential uses, may now be used for higher-density residential or limited commercial purposes with permission from the DRB and design review by the Historic and Architectural Advisory Committee (HAAC)
• The Commission reviewed bylaw changes allowing the use of existing farm structures in the ARZD as "function halls," with permission from the Development Review Board (DRB). While the ARZD is largely a rural residential zone with significant agricultural use, there are a few propoert owners who would like to be able to use their barns as function halls from time to time. This can provide a revenue stream that can help to fund the maintenance of these barns. 
• The Commission reviewed changes to the way "required design elements," such as urban parks, public art, wide sidewalks, and multiple story buildings, are required on new developments in the Taft Corbner Zoning District  (TCZD) and Mixed-Use district (MUCZD). 
• The Commission reviewed changes that extend an incentive for affordable housing and structured parking in the Business Park Zoning District (BPZD).  New develkopment that provides these elements may be eligible for a "height bonus," which allows building heights of 52 feet instead of the normal 36-foot limit. 

Please give us a call if you have questions about any of these changes. These were all approved by the Selectboard since the kickoff meetings, and represent a "clearing of the decks" for the Commission as they propare to focus on the Town Plan for the next year.

The Commission's most recent work on the Town Plan has been to develop a survey which will be made available soon to Williston citizens in both paper and electronic form. The Commission has worked hard over its last few meetings to refine these questions to help it decide which areas of the Plan top focus on- so stay tuned and keep an eye out for that survey!

Additionally, the Commission will be hostin staff from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) at future meetings to talk about updates to the Plan's discussion of transportation.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, May 9 Williston Town Plan Kickoff Meeting: Notes and Comments

We held our second kickoff for the 2016-2021 Town Plan on Saturday, May 9.

Here are the notes and text of what we heard from folks about Williston:

What We Like About Williston:

-Dichotomy of rural living with convenience
-Walkability in the Village
-Schools
-Library
-Walking trails
-Scenic views
-Good job opportunities
-Sense of small community
-Responsiveness of officials
-Comparatively good quality of development
-Bus service
-Farms and working landscape
-Interstate access
-Convenience to Burlington
-Dog-friendly town
-Town services
-Diverse and well-thought-out development pattern
-Essence of Vermont landscape

What the Plan Should Address:

-Thoughtful development near residential portions of Maple Tree Place (Trees, green buffers)
-Pedestrian/and bicycle connectivity in Taft Corners
-Connectivity between the Village and Taft Corners
-Economic development in the Village
-Shared parking in the Village
-Traffic flow off Exit 12
-Traffic control near Maple Tree Place
-Dog park
-Open/wooded space
-Crossing the road in the Village
-Connected bike/ped trails and lanes
-Spend the rest of the bike $
-Asphalt paths and safe shoulders
-Consider expanding water service up Old Stage Road
-More affordability and diverse housing
-Beautification of western gateway to town
-Winter trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (Parking Access)
-Use of lake Iroquois
-Addressing light pollution
-Bring more families into town

Results from the May 7 Town Plan Kickoff Meeting

 

We had a terrific kickoff meeting last Thursday night! About 25 people came to hear some information about their town and to give their opinions on what they like about Williston as well as what they think Williston could work on.

Here are the results from that meeting:

What we like about Williston

What we like about Williston:

-View Corridors
-Natural Areas
-Paths and Trails
-Emphasis on Rural
-Schools
-Convenient Location
-Old Village Charm
-Sense of Community
-Recreation- Parks-Trails- and Country Parks
-Library
-Sustainable Energy
-Park-Based nighborhoods
-Access to Services (Emergency and Transportation)
-Distinctive Urban and rural (areas)
-Chittenden Solid Waste Host Fees
-Connectivity
-Roads (are) well-kept
-Rural, but with convenience

What Should the Plan Address?

- Extend the Bike Path (Kids ride to School)
-Traffic Concerns (VT 2A, Mtn View Road)
-Foster Whole Town Community
-Lower speed limit on Oak Hill Road
-Senior Center
-Town pool
-Expensive to live here- (provide) housing at all levels
-Consider costs of implementing regulations
-More bike paths to get places
-More playgrounds
-More access to public transit (link bus especially)
-Assisted living for seniors
-Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians
-Fix gaps in the bike and pedestrian system
-Bicycle safety
-Put utilities in the Village underground
-The town should set a good example- energy efficiency, water quality, aesthetics
-More affordable Housing
-Park Based or farm based development
-(provide) park and picnic grounds
-Services for aging population
-Senior/community Center in Taft Corners area
-Park and Ride Space and Infrastructure
-Rotaries and Traffic Calming
-All ages Community Center
-Bike Path on Route 2
-More paths/Connections
-Stormwater concerns
-Housing for younger people (affordable)
-Remove 4-way stop at Williston.North Williston Oak Hill Roads
-Solar Lighting in Rec Path
-Better signage for Rec Path
-Innovative thinking about sustainability
-More small businesses, fewer chain uses
-More heart, More soul

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1bGhuLk Planning in motion at our second kickoff meeting! #willistonplans

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1QrHfPk We are on to "things you would like to fix" now. This group is talking about wanting power lines under ground in the Village? What do you think? #willistonplans

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1GSdvEg Here are some things we like about Williston. What do you like about Williston? Let us know on Saturday at our next kickoff meeting or tell us on your social media account of choice using the hashtag #willistonplans

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1P4V6hl Lively groups of citizens talking with each other about what they like about Williston. #willistonplans

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1bBElrw #willistonplans 2016 has begun with an introduction from Director Ken Belliveau.

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1F8Fhl2 #willistonplans tonight in the WCS dining room at 7:00! Yes, there will be coffee (and cookies) served!

New Instagram Photo

http://ift.tt/1H4jtY0 Town Plan Kickoff TONIGHT at 7:00 at WCS! We are printing maps, ordering cookies, and getting ready to hear from YOU about the future of Williston! #willistonplans

Williston Town Plan Kickoff Meetings May 7 and May 9

The planning commission is getting ready to begin the process of updating the town’s comprehensive plan.  Updating the plan is required by state to take place every five years.  The planning commission would like to hear from as many people as possible, so please attend if you can, and pass the word along.

To begin the process, the planning commission will be hosting two kick-off meeting.  Each meeting will present the same information and be the same format, so you only have to attend one of the two meetings to have participated in the kick-off process.  The reason for having two meetings is to give people more than one opportunity to attend in case they have scheduling conflicts.

There will be a brief presentation of information about the town’s current town plan, as well as information about recent trends, challenges and opportunities affecting the town.  Participants will also have an opportunity share their thoughts about what they like and value about Williston and what issues they feel are important for the plan. 

People are encouraged to bring school aged children along so they can also participate.  Light refreshments will be served.

Williston Town Plan Kick-Off Meetings
Thursday	May 7, 2015	7 - 9 PM	Williston Central School – Dining Room
Saturday	May 9, 2015	1 - 3 PM	Williston Central School – Dining Room