The Bristol Planning Commission will be holding a virtual Public Hearing, October 6th on the updated Bristol Town Plan. The Planning Commission has been working with Addison County Regional Planning Commission to update the Town Plan for 2021.
On August 18, 2020, the Planning Commission completed its work revising the Town Plan and voted unanimously to forward this draft to a public hearing. The proposed updated plan constitutes a significant revision of the Town of Bristol plan dated March 7, 2017. While many things remained the same, the Planning Commission made changes to most chapters of the previous Plan. The Planning Commission believes this update enhances the Bristol Town Plan and conforms to State of Vermont statutes. This memorandum highlights the changes that the Planning Commission deems the most substantive. It does not discuss every single minor change. Accordingly, all are encouraged to read the entire document.
1. Inclusion of Enhanced Energy Plan. The most substantive change to the town plan is the inclusion of an Enhanced Energy Plan element which contains the components described in 24 V.S.A. § 4348a(a)(3) to fulfill the requirements of Act 174. This energy element includes an analysis of resources, needs, scarcities, costs, and challenges across all energy sectors, including electric, thermal, and transportation; a statement of policy on the conservation and efficient use of energy and the development and siting of renewable energy resources; a statement of policy on patterns and densities of land use likely to result in conservation of energy; and an identification of potential areas for the development and siting of renewable energy resources and areas that are unsuitable for siting those resources or particular categories or sizes of those resources. Energy analyses and targets are derived from regional analyses and targets. Pathways and recommended actions to achieve the targets identified through the Analysis and Targets section are included as Implementation Actions for each section- electric, thermal, transportation, and land use. An Energy section remains in the body of the town plan and the enhanced energy plan is included as an appendix. This enhanced energy plan will be submitted to the Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC) which has received an affirmative determination of energy compliance for its Regional Plan. If the Bristol plan receives an affirmative determination of energy compliance under 24 V.S.A. § 4352 the land conservation measures and specific policies of the town will receive substantial deference from the Vermont Public Utility Commission.
2. New Flood Resilience and Hazards section
The flood resilience plan identifies flood hazard and fluvial erosion hazard
areas, based on FEMA Flood Hazard and state River Corridor maps
3. Updates to Natural Resources chapter to include Forest Blocks
The Natural Resources chapter now includes maps and descriptions of areas that are important as forest blocks and habitat connectors and plans for land development in those areas to minimize forest fragmentation and promote the health, viability, and ecological function of forests.
4. Updated Goals and Policies of each section.
5. Updated Implementation Plan.
6. Other minor changes. The Planning Commission made other changes to the statistical information in the plan, bringing it up to date and reflective of recent and current town projects and enhancements.
The Planning Commission believes the changes made enhance the readability of the plan and will encourage residents to become more involved with the future planning of their community. Our goal is to implement our Town Plan and make Bristol a better place to live for all if its citizens.
On behalf of the Planning Commission members, thank you for your consideration.
Please Join the Planning Commission with questions and comments on October 6th at 7 pm.
The Draft Plan and Public Meeting log-in Information available at: http://bristolvt.org/
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