Please join your neighbors to attend this important discussion:

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan 10th at 6pm
WHERE: North Hero Town Office Meeting Room
By ZOOM: Web Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/539515376; Meeting ID: 539 515 376; Passcode: 330605

North Hero has zoning to foster quality growth and controlled development that benefits most of the residents in the town. However, allowing the development of Peronal AIRSTRIPS in North Hero is a benefit for the few, with impact on the many. At the first hearing on Personal AIRSTRIPS on November 15th, nearly 50 residents participated, far exceeding public engagement for any town issue. The key concerns that neighbors have shared include:

1. SAFETY
The rationale of allowing AIRSTRIPS on a small, narrow island was questioned, and it was noted that even with very experienced flyers, accidents happen – "this is why they call it an accident.''

2. CONGESTION
Several neighbors expressed concern about increasing AIR traffic over North Hero. There is no question that increasing the number of landing strips would increase airplane traffic; and specifically, increase low-flying traffic as planes take off and land over other people's property

3. PRESERVATION OF NATURE and the DISRUPTION OF ANIMAL LIFE
For many residents, there is an awareness of how beautiful the island is, and that part of attraction of living in North Hero is the richness and variety of the animal life found here. Increasing air traffic, particularly take off and landing, will impact the natural beauty of the island.

4. REDUCING POLLUTION / LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINT
There are several estimates of how much carbon is generated by personal airplanes, however, no one would dispute that small airplanes leave a larger carbon footprint than automobiles.

5. LACK OF CONSISTENCY WITH THE TOWN PLAN
In the Town Plan [linked below], Section C states the goals of the town, which seem inconsistent with the proliferation of personal AIRSTRIPS:

Section C (Page 4), including:
- To preserve the unique rural and small town character of North Hero
- To protect the quality of the environment and the lake
- To maintain the visual character and aesthetic setting of North Hero

But perhaps most importantly: 18b (page 9):
Transportation patterns should enhance the quality of life and sense of community in North Hero.

6. URGENCY – NORTH HERO IS NOT CURRENTLY PROTECTED FROM PERSONAL AIRSTRIPS
This letter [linked below] from the Vermont Department of Transportation describes what can happen to towns that do not institute zoning restrictions on personal AIRSTRIPS.

7. IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUES
Given the choice to live next to a personal AIRSTRIP, or not, is pretty straight forward. When a neighbor adds an AIRSTRIP to their property, there is no question that there is negative impact on the neighboring property owners, making their property less desirable and likely impacting the value.

8. CONCERNS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
There were a couple of neighbors who expressed concern about constraining individual property rights. Balancing the rights of the individual with the rights of the community is a key purpose for zoning. This is why, in North Hero, we have a multi-stage process for zoning change (including independent review by the Planning Commission, the Select Board, and then ultimately to Public Vote) to carefully make this tradeoff bearing in mind the priorities of the majority of town residents.

What You Can Do:
1. Be Informed, Stay Engaged, Ask Questions, Speak with your family and friends
2. Attend this Hearing on Personal AIRSTRIPS on Tuesday, December 10th at 6pm
3. VOTE In-person at the Town Meeting on March 7th
4. Request an absentee ballot: https://www.northherovt.com/page/elections
(If voting by absentee ballot, remember to complete and send back quickly – Only ballots in receipt in the Town Office by March 7th will be counted.)

As ever, please reach out with any questions or concerns,
David Ehrich

RESOURCES:

PC Proposed Bylaws with AIRSTRIP 50' Setback:
(See Section 5.2 for setback, and Seciton 8.18 on conditional use for Personal Landing Areas)
https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/north-hero-town.appspot.com/o/uploads%2F2022-032[...]2cd

Proposed Bylaw Amendment (scan the page under heading "North Hero Bylaw Regulation Review 2022)
https://www.northherovt.com/page/planning

Town Plan:
https://www.northherovt.com/page/planning

Letter from Vermont Department of Transportation:
https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/north-hero-town.appspot.com/o/Planning%20Commiss[...]25e

Event Info

Nov 12, 2024, 5 to 6 PM

Nov 16, 2024, 11 AM to 3 PM

Nov 17, 2024, 10:30 AM to 12 PM