WILLISTON, Vt.—An environmental group is challenging a decision to create the state's first designated growth center because the proposed boundary includes areas that would not be considered pedestrian friendly.
The Vermont Natural Resources Council is planning to appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court a decision by the Expanded Downtown Board that set the growth center to include all the shopping areas around Taft Corners.
But state officials say the designation, which makes development in the area eligible for tax incentives, was proper and cannot be appealed.
"The growth center law was never intended to give out tax and other financial incentives to promote
Joss Besse, of the state Division for Community Planning and Revitalization, said the Attorney General's Office issued an opinion in January that said the growth centers law doesn't include an appeals process.
VNRC and other groups had supported a plan under the 2006 law with boundaries that included Maple Tree Place and the part of the Taft Corners shopping center closest to Vermont 2A, but would not have encompassed the area near
The goal was to encourage plans for developing an area that would be more pedestrian-friendly, and include grid streets and housing, Holmes said.
The Williston designation is the state's first. Holmes said his group wanted to clarify the intent of the law. "It sends the wrong message for other communities that are applying for this," Holmes said.
------
Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com
rising
falling 