Rutland Regional Planning Commission

April 23, 2009

Castleton Community Planning Forum

Filed under: Events — admin @ 11:27 am

Come join the Castleton Planning Commission on May 4,2009, from 7-9pm at the Castleton Community Center to weigh in on the update to the Town of Castleton
Municipal Plan.
The Town Plan is a document reflecting views on how the Town’s future development should proceed in order to promote the health, safety and welfare of its
citizens. It is intended to guide decisions that affect future growth and development in the town and is used to guide the permitting process, Act 250 and Castleton Development Review Roard decisions. The goals, policies and recommendations found in the Plan are intended to preserve and protect town assets, while providing
for improvements and growth that support the community. The last update of the plan was conducted in 2002. The Planning Commissioners have been reviewing the Plan and are ready to hear from you.

For more information regarding the forum, please contact the Castleton Town Office or the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. The Planning Commission looks forward to seeing you on the 4th!
Refreshments provided.

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April 22, 2009

Getting Around Portland, OR

Filed under: Transportation — admin @ 8:03 am

A recent trip to Portland, OR provided an opportunity to see how many different ways we can use to get where we need to go.

Our Energy Committee is focused on transportation alternatives this month - about half of the carbon emissions in the state come from transportation, and is it the largest sector of energy use in Vermont. In the Rutland Region, almost 80% of people commute to work alone in their car or truck, with an average commute time of 19 minutes!

Although we acknowledge the urban-rural divide, hopefully these examples will prove inspiring. If we carpooled, walked, biked, or telecommuted for just one work day, it would say 20% of our transportation costs!

For more ideas about how to use healthy and environmentally-friendly transportation in Vermont, visit www.waytogovt.org and learn about how to help save over 500,000 pounds of CO2 in one week May 4-8.

1. Well maintained sidewalks and plenty of green space make walking around Portland a breeze.

2. The zip car is a service that allows users to avoid the cost of gassing up, parking, maintenance, and insurance by only paying for car use for exactly how long they need it. www.zipcar.com

3. The Portland Street Car and Max rail service provide cheap (free in most places) transporation all round the western side of the city, while an extensive bus system services the entire area.

4. Don’t forget your bike! Portland, OR prides itself on its well-marked and well-used bike lanes.

5. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry even provides designated spaces for electric cars to power up.

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Commission Bids Farewell to Tara Kelly

Filed under: Staff Updates — admin @ 7:42 am

The Rutland Regional Planning Commission sadly bids farewell to Senior Planner Tara Kelly. Tara has taken a position as Executive Director of the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL), a group in which she was previously an active board member and volunteer.

During her six years at the Planning Commission, Tara took the lead on many programs, including the Brownfields Program, Emergency Management and the LEPC, the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Region, numerous town plan and zoning updates, and many more projects.

Tara also represented the Commission as Chair of the Rutland Creative Economy, a now-thriving group with four highly active committees.

RAFFL welcomed Tara to their staff at their annual meeting on Monday. RRPC Chair Larry Courcelle, Executive Director Mark Blucher and several staff members were in attendance to wish her well.

Larry writes, “On behalf of The Board of Commissioners, I would like to congratulate Tara Kelly on her new position as Executive Director of RAFFL. Anyone who has had the opportunity to work with Tara knows that she has a talent for translating her knowledge and enthusiasm into a heightened learning experience. We will miss Tara and wish her the best of luck.” Congratulations, Tara!

Larry, Tara and Mark

RAFFL’s annual meeting was well attended by RRPC staff and Chair.

Interested in work that Tara is doing? So are we! The RRPC is an active partner of the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link as well as the Creative Economy. Find out more by going to the following webpages.

Rutland Area Farm and Food Link

Rutland Area Farm and Food Link - http://www.rutlandfarmandfood.org/

Committees of the Creative Economy:

Sustainable Rutland -http://sustainablerutland.blogspot.com

Arts & Culture -http://arthoprutland.blogspot.com

Recreation -http://www.rutlandcreekpath.com

Open Air -http://centerstreetmarketplace.blogspot.com

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