Town Plan Update
Community Forums - May 8 & May 22
All community faces challenges, so let's talk about them! Join your friends and neighbors in conversation about some of the challenges facing Hinesburg. We're bringing speakers to help jump start the conversation. There will be food and beverages. All good ingredients for learning and exchanging ideas.
May 8, 7pm, Town Office - Affordability: Taxes & Growing Hinesburg
Panel discussion and Q&A with:
- Mike Pieciak - Vermont State Treasurer
- Amy Tomasso - VT Department of Housing & Community Development
- Jessie Baker - South Burlington City Manager
Central questions: Whether it is property taxes, housing costs, food prices, or transportation expenses, the affordability of our community and our state is an issue for many people.
- Local Economy – How do we facilitate growth of local businesses (existing and new)? What types of new business/industry should we try to attract, and what are the most effective ways to do that?
- Housing – Does increasing supply mean greater affordability?
- Growth – How does growth affect municipal and State finances? Revenue vs. cost.
May 22, 7pm, Town Office - Climate Resilience: Preparing & Adapting
Speakers to be determined
Central questions: Stronger storms, heat extremes, increased rainfall and flooding are already happening here in Vermont. What can we expect and what can we do about it? How should community members and local government plan for and adapt to this new reality? How do we minimize impacts, protect ourselves, and help neighbors in need?
Community Survey Results - February 2024
Thank you!! We received over 500 responses to the community vision survey that was open from January 10 - February 23, 2024. See below for links to the survey results. Stay tuned, as we are planning for community forums and potentially additional issue-specific surveys.
Survey results - Questions 1-30
Open ended survey comments:
- Question 31 - What does Hinesburg do well?
- Question 32 - What is one thing you would change about?
- Question 33 - Comments, feedback, suggestions, etc.
Survey questions as presented - for reference
Community Outreach Schedule:
(activities in addition to discussion at regular PC meetings - 2nd & 4th Wednesday, each month, 7pm)
- January-March: community survey; outreach to Town committees
- March-May: community forums and speakers on key topics
- June-August: issue-specific surveys; neighborhood meet ups
- October: PC public hearing(s) on draft plan
- November-December: PC makes revisions and forwards proposal to Select Board
- 2025 (by June): Select Board review, public hearings, and adoption
Background:
The Town Plan serves as the framework for the future of Hinesburg, especially with regard to the decisions that will guide the Town's growth. It looks ahead to both the near term (e.g., 5-10 years) and long term (e.g., 20+ years). It describes the Town's history, the existing physical, social, and economic conditions of the Town, and establishes a vision for the Town's future. This vision is supported by specific goals and action items.
Hinesburg's Town Plan was amended in 2021 (Energy chapter rewrite), but the last comprehensive update was adopted in September 2017. The Planning Commission is charged with preparing Town Plan updates every eight years. They will be seeking input and participation from local citizens and organizations throughout 2024.
Town Plan Resources:
- Existing Town Plan (text, maps, appendices) - click here
- Town Plan update documents and information - see below
