PUTNEY- Windham & Windsor Housing Trust received their local zoning permit by the Town to move forward with construction of 25 new homes along Alice Holway Drive adjacent to the Putney Community Gardens. The permit sub-divides the land into two parcels- the southern parcel will be dedicated to the new housing community with two energy efficient, all electric buildings with a rooftop solar array. The northern portion is dedicated to preserve current use of the land: the established community gardens and the summer Farmers Market. The subdivision creates the opportunity of independent ownership by the Green Commons of Vermont, a group comprised of Community Garden and Farmers Market members.
Draft Elevations of Buildings
“We’re thrilled to be at this important milestone.” Elizabeth Bridgewater, WWHT Executive Director shares, “This is the culmination of two and a half years of planning and collaboration on our part with community members and the Green Commons group. We are also delighted to help implement a key component of Putney’s Town Plan to increase housing opportunities in a way that preserves cherished community resources such as the community garden and farmer’s market.”
The project fits well within the Putney Town Plan and zoning requirements, as confirmed through the public process for permitting. Karen Astley, Zoning Administrator stated the application met the criteria of the Zoning & Subdivision Regulations for the Village District. The Town Plan states, “Affordable housing was the biggest concern of Putney residents who attended [the Town Outreach Meeting]. “Affordability” meant many things to participants, including workforce, intergenerational, low-income, and energy efficient housing. A variety of options would make it easier for people to live, work, raise families, and retire in Putney.”
The parcel of land lies within the Town’s Designated Neighborhood Development Area which is a planning tool to discourage sprawl in favor of compact growth patterns that support vital communities while protecting the rural landscape and agricultural and forest economy surrounding the downtown area.
The designs for the project include a majority 1-and 2-bedroom units, responding to the local market needs assessment signaling smaller household sizes and the aging demographic. The rents will be set to serve a mix of households with incomes ranging from 30-100% of Area Median Income. This ensures that a variety of housing needs are being met in the community. These rates match household incomes in Putney and wages at Putney’s places of employment. A shade analysis has been conducted to ensure that the garden will not be shaded by the buildings. The project has also received a funding award totaling $2,065,222 from the Vermont Housing and Conservation board.
Representative Mike Mrowicki, Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee in Putney voices his excitement about the project moving forward, “Our schools need students (and there is plenty of room), our businesses need patrons, and our village needs housing. Best of all, what is being proposed is a Smart Growth approach which is designed to reduce sprawl and create walkable communities by building near transportation and shops. A sustainable path to the future, if you will, that includes both housing and conservation.” (More info on Smart Growth principals can be found at www.vnrc.org).
“We’re excited to begin groundwork on this project. There is an overwhelming demand for new housing opportunities in Putney and our marketing efforts will include extensive outreach within Putney to ensure that anyone who needs housing will know about this opportunity and how to apply.” Elizabeth elaborates on the importance of investing in community building, “There are wonderful opportunities to create a vibrant community at this new location while also connecting to other programs and initiatives in town. Our new community engagement team is eager to start exploring how residents may want to connect with one another and with others in Putney. To help facilitate this, we’ve included a shared community and kitchen space in our building design and the many resources within walking distance of the neighborhood will make this a beautiful place to live.”
The property will contribute to the Town’s bottom line by paying taxes to the Town annually. The home’s affordability will be protected in perpetuity, ensuring that local families and retired elders will have long term housing security. The property will be owned by a partnership between Evernorth, a regional non-profit housing developer, and WWHT. WWHT will manage the property and will have an office on-site for support staff.
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust is a housing non-profit based in Brattleboro, VT with a satellite office in Bellows Falls. The mission is to strengthen the communities of south eastern Vermont through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable housing and through ongoing support and advocacy for its residents. For more information, visit www.HomeMattersHere.org.
