Ten Principles of Smart Growth:

• Plan development so as to maintain the historic settlement pattern of compact village and urban centers separated by rural countryside.
• Promote the health and vitality of Vermont communities through economic and residential growth that is targeted to compact, mixed use centers, including resort centers, at a scale convenient and accessible for pedestrians and appropriate for the community.
• Enable choice in the mode of transportation available and insure that transportation options are integrated and consistent with land use objectives.
• Protect and preserve environmental quality and important natural and historic features of Vermont, including natural areas, water resources, air quality, scenic resources, and historic sites and districts.
• Provide the public with access to formal and informal open spaces, including parks, playgrounds, public greens, water bodies, forests and mountains.
• Encourage and strengthen agricultural and forest enterprises and minimize conflicts of development with these businesses.
• Provide for housing that meets the needs of a diversity of social and income groups in each Vermont community, but especially in communities that are most rapidly growing.
• Support a diversity of viable business enterprises in downtowns and villages, including locally-owned businesses, and a diversity of agricultural and forestry enterprises in the countryside.
• Balance growth with the availability of economic and efficient public utilities and services and through the investment of public funds consistent with these principles.
• Accomplish goals and strategies for smart growth through coalitions with stakeholders and engagement of the public.

For more information, visit the Smart Growth Vermont website.