By Veronica Burns
In a survey carried out two years ago as part of the ongoing Town Plan, residents of Norfolk indicated strong support for business operations that were compatible with the rural character of the town. The survey showed little or no support for development of strip malls, with 83 percent against big box store development. Eighty-four percent said they would support small retail stores or offices in the center of town, while 68 percent would like to see home businesses encouraged.
This issues’s front page, with the welcome news of several ventures in town, fits neatly with the Town Plan’s goal of revitalizing the village center. And a recent report issued by another planning group, under the aegis of the US Environmental Protection Agency, points specifically to what is often considered a dilemma faced by small towns when it comes to development. How can we foster economic growth and at the same time, maintain our town’s rural character?
“Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities”, suggests three goals for small towns to focus on as a way to answer that question. Firstly, embrace your town’s legacy by appreciating and trying to preserve its assets, such as a rural landscape, historic buildings, a downtown, a village center. Create an economic climate that enhances the viability of working lands and conserves natural lands. Secondly, help existing places thrive by taking care of assets and investments such as downtowns, Main Streets, existing infrastructure, and places that the community values. And thirdly, create great new places by building vibrant, enduring neighborhoods and communities that people, especially young people, don’t want to leave.
The report suggests that rural towns focus on their ‘heart’, which, in many places, is a Main Street. Our Main Street is that circle which includes Station Place, John J. Curtiss Road, Shepard Road and a section of Rte 44. The circle could also be widened to include the library and the Town Hall. It is in this area that most of the town’s business hums.
The first goal, supporting the rural landscape, has been bolstered by the efforts of the Conservation Commission, with its publication of a Natural Resources Inventory. The Farmers Market advocates for the rural landscape by urging people to buy and use local produce. In its mission to preserve land, Norfolk’s Land Trust sustains the rural landscape by holding and monitoring some 3,000 acres under fee and easement.
The third goal is certainly a challenging one but Norfolk’s push to provide affordable housing will go some way towards attaining it. Sadly, too many younger people are priced out of homes throughout the Northwest Corner, so steps to introduce more reasonably priced homes should be welcome.
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) has put a lot of energy into revitalizing our town. And it has paid off. Infinity Hall, a historic building now restored, has been a tremendous boost and the recent arts festival weekend showed to a great many out of town visitors that Norfolk is indeed a thriving spot. The EDC’s hope that the town center be eventually linked addresses the second goal. A lively, walk-able center, with a bustling Station Place, would certainly help draw the heart of Norfolk together.
Although the town is on its way, work needs to be continued. The Town Plan of Conservation and Development is a useful blueprint and should be incorporated as much as possible when all those town commissions meet. The P&Z has illustrated a willingness to do that by spending many volunteer hours overhauling the town’s regulations and ordinances. The other commissions should also continue to integrate the goals of the Plan and work towards implementing its objectives. Only then will it become viable and not be another dust-laden document on the shelf.
“Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities” can be downloaded at icma.org. Under ‘Hot Topics’, click on Smart Growth.