Williston
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NOVEMBER 3, 2022
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
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Glasers propose 100 homes
Landowners employ rare ‘specific plan’ to bypass growth management BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The owners of roughly 100 acres at the corner of Mountain View and Old Stage roads have filed a “specific plan” application to build 100 homes, a first of its kind under Williston’s land use regulations. The specific plan process allows a developer to bypass the town’s growth management rules that slow the pace of housing construction to no more than 20 new homes a year in the residential zone, and to create site-specific building standards that may not comply with the town’s land use regulations.
Landowners Jack and Caitlin Glaser are proposing an expedited building schedule of 25 homes a year for four years. If the project went through a standard devel-
COMMUNITY MEETING WHAT: Glaser Property ‘Specific Plan’ WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 15 WHERE: Police Station Meeting Room at 7928 Williston Rd. opment application, it could be granted up to 141 homes. However, the majority of new home allocation in the residential zone for the next several years have already been granted to two other proposals, also on Mountain View Road — a neighborhood planned
at the Catamount Golf Course and another at Trinity Baptist Church. The Glasers promise to keep 11 acres fronting Mountain View undeveloped — preserving an unobstructed view of Camel’s Hump — as well as 42 acres on the south end of the property. The southern open space would allow the Windswept Farm equestrian facility to continue to run horses on the property. Duplex homes would be built in two distinct areas separated by a wetland and connected by a rec path, and two roads built off Old Stage Road. Former Williston Planning Director Ken Belliveau is serving as the Glasers’ consultant on the project. Belliveau submitted a formal application in September to his successor in the planning ofsee GLASERS page 8
What do you mean, ‘community center?’ Committee forms to consider library expansion, new community center BY JASON STARR Observer staff Should Williston expand its public library? Should it build a new community center? What about combining both into one space? These are among the questions a newly formed committee will investigate in the coming months with the help of a Montpelier-based architectural consultant.
The selectboard on Tuesday appointed four residents to the “Community Center Scoping and Library Assessment Steering Committee.” A member of the selectboard, the library board of trustees and the recreation and parks committee will join them, along with Town Manager Erik Wells, Recreation and Parks Director Todd Goodwin and Library Director Jane Kearns. The selectboard has allocated $100,000 in federal funds granted to the town
What’s going on at deer camp?
under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act for the project. Conceptual drawings and a report on the town’s options are expected by the middle of next year. The report will include construction cost and ongoing operational cost estimates. Black River Design is the consultant. “A lot of this work is going to be community engagement and assessing the library space and trying to determine what the opsee CENTER page 8
Lesson on inflation Hot air balloons make a pit stop in front of Allen Brook School on Friday. Students were called out of the building to witness the spectacle. COURTESY PHOTO BY GRETA D’AGOSTINO
Saturday, November 12th from 6am - 9am
HUNTER’S WIDOW SALE
20% OFF STOREWIDE This Saturday morning from 6am-9am, save 20% storewide at Lenny’s. Whether you’re a buck hunter or a bargain hunter you gotta get up early to score big! Barre • Williston • St. Albans • Plattsburgh, NY Discount in stores on in-stock, regular priced items only, can’t be applied to prior sales. Some exclusions apply including Exclusive Darn Tough & Skida items, Yeti, Sitka, Gun Safes and Gift Cards.