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What will be included in the development?
There are a total of 44 acres on two parcels of land. 21 acres, including the corridor along the LaPlatte River, will be preserved in perpetuity. The remaining 23 acres will be used for development. Altogether the project will include:
. 43 one and two story single-family homes.
. 8 duplexes.
. 62 multi-family homes.
. 2 three story senior citizen residences.
. 1 two story assisted living residence.
At least 53% of the family/workforce units will be affordable (income sensitive), and at least 38% of the senior citizen units will be affordable. The remaining units will be priced at market rates. The duplexes, multi-family homes and some of the single-family homes will be owned. The senior resident units and some of single-family homes will be rented.
What will happen to the mobile home park?
Because of the high cost of relocating the trailers and creating a badly needed infrastructure, the developer offered to build affordable, energy efficient single-family homes (with income sensitive rents that will remain perpetually affordable), for all the residents of Shelburnewood…which they accepted.Why such a big project?
In order to provide truly affordable housing, there are certain economies of scale that have to be met. Any downsizing of the project would have to be offset by higher rents and prices and this would make the units no longer affordable for many families.Does the project conform to the town plan that was recently passed?
Yes. After months of meetings and public input from the community, a town plan was adopted that supports, and is completely consistent with this kind of development.The project has also been endorsed by the Vermont Smart Growth Collaborative and meets all the conditions of smart growth such as maintaining historic development patterns within villages, creating compact mixed use centers, providing for housing that meets the needs of a diversity of income groups, etc…in essence, encouraging responsible, but more compact growth within existing towns and villages and discouraging urban sprawl.This isn’t going to have that big boxy “project” look is it?
Absolutely not! The size of the development will be tempered by the creative style and mix of the buildings. There will be a combination of single and multi-family homes, duplexes and senior residences with varied styles and heights with picket fences and gardens throughout. This is a state, regional and national award winning model. Best of all, the developers, Charlie Brush and John Giebink live in Charlotte and Shelburne, and have a personal interest in making sure this project is in sync with the rest of the town.
What will be the visual impact from Shelburne Road?
It will be deliberately consistent with the style and character of the town. There will be several homes on Shelburne Road, adjacent to the Harrington house, which will be designed to reflect the styles of the homes surrounding them. The homes behind the existing buildings on Route 7 (Shelburne Inn, the Episcopal Church, etc.) will be attractive, smaller single-family homes and duplexes, and the larger senior residences will be placed behind these homes, more than 300 feet from the road to reduce their visibility. The larger residences will also have gabled dormers with varied rooflines to eliminate any boxy look and add to their attractiveness.Note: To get a visual idea of what the senior residences might look like, click-on "ABOUT GMDG" on the menu. To see what the multi-family homes might look like, click on "Cottages" on the GMDG home page.Will this increase the demand for town services?(i.e., police, fire, rescue)
It could. Because over 50% of the residents will be senior citizens it could increase the number of 911 calls and rescue operations. But this will be lessoned somewhat by the fact that there will be onsite staffing by the Visiting Nurses Association. Plus, any increase in the cost of town services will be more than offset by the increased tax base.
Will this increase traffic on Shelburne Road?
To some degree. But because many of the residents will be senior citizens the increase in traffic will not be commensurate with the total number of residents living there. Plus the traffic from the current residents will be no greater than it already is.
A new traffic light south of the Harrington house is also proposed that will create gaps in the traffic flowing into town and help ease congestion.
Why is this mostly for seniors when we have such need for family and workforce affordable housing?
This is more a misconception than anything else. In fact, 113 homes and duplexes will be offered as family/workforce units and 53% of those will be affordable housing…much more than any previous affordable housing initiative in Shelburne.How will the Shelburnewood project benefit the town?
1. It will replace a mobile home park in the heart of Shelburne with attractive, energy
efficient homes (with income sensitive rents).
2. It will prevent the eviction of 26 Shelburnewood families, many of whom work in
Shelburne.
3. It will provide much needed affordable and workforce housing for many people who work in Shelburne but who can’t afford to live here.
4. It will offer an affordable alternative to our aging residents that will allow them to
remain in Shelburne with dignity.
5. It will add an estimated $450,000 to $650,000 in annual taxes to the town.
6. It will be the highest and best use of the last remaining undeveloped land in the village center…completely consistent with Smart Growth neighborhoods and the newly
adopted town plan.
7. It will add to the vitality of the town and provide more business for local retailers.
8. It will permanently conserve and provide public access to over 20 acres of important land and natural habitat along the LaPlatte River corridor.
Sooner or later this property is going to be developed. What better way than with an award winning model, built by responsive local developers, that provides these important benefits to the town and its deserving citizens. |
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