Sign at Killington town offices on River Road

Sign at Killington town offices on River Road

The Killington select-board, in a public hearing convened during their normal biweekly select-board meeting, approved a new version of the Town Plan for Killington. The public hearing was attended by less than a dozen local citizens. While the plan is not substantially different from the previous plan, there was significant discussion concerning the plan language for R3 districts. An R3 designation means that a property needs approximately 3 acres minimum before development can take place on the property. A R3 district nominally calls for a single family home density of 1 home per 3 acres. However, the R3 district also allows developers to exceed this density (they are allowed 1 home per 1 acre) if they develop the property under a PUD (planned unit development) approach. Some local citizens were concerned that this approach was causing parts of North Sherburne to experience development at densities higher than was originally conceived under the R3 rating. After listening to the discussion, the selectmen advised the citizens that the proper place to effect change is with the town Zoning plan, which is prepared by the Town Planning Commission.

The only other significant change in the Killington town plan appeared to be a relaxation of plan requirements for development in the Commercial Districts in town (primarily along the Killington Road). The select-board changed the town plan to allow development to take place on parcels less than 1 acre, with no side and rear setbacks. While not yet implemented in the town Zoning regulations, it is anticipated that when zoning changes take place, cluster development in the commercial districts will face an easier time in the permit approval process. The new Town Plan was passed unanimously by the select-board and referred back to the Planning Commission for follow through. Copies of the town plan are available at Killington Town Office.

For those interested in further reading, the town planning process is covered under Vermont's Act 250 statutes. A Vermont Town Plan Guide is available online from the University of Vermont.

In related discussions at the select-board meeting, the ongoing prospects for development of a new Village at the base of Killington was briefly discussed. There have been several articles in the Rutland Herald of late quoting officials from the Resort and Centex (the development company being used to develop at least parts of the project) concerning thier ongoing planning process. The select-board were reacting to these articles, and letters from Centex asking the board to expedite rule making processes to allow clarification of some issues prior to permit application. The select-board, it appears, have not been briefed on the development process lately by either the Resort or Centex. It will make for an interesting next few months if in fact the Resort and Centex file for a permit without doing the education of town officials necessary to expedite the approval process.