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Planning director outlines plan to revive Middlebury Design Advisory Committee and modernize design guidelines
Summary
Planning director Alicia Bartlett told the select board the town needs clearer, more objective design guidelines and recommended a phased approach tied to the town plan, consultant support for code updates, and training for reconstituted Design Advisory Committee members.
Alicia Bartlett, Middlebury's director of planning and development, presented background on the Design Advisory Committee (DAC) and the town's zoning and subdivision ordinance, which she said contains outdated references and sections that reduce predictability for applicants. Bartlett recommended a phased approach: complete the town plan draft, then seek focused consultant support and funding to produce clear, objective design guidelines (preferably with graphics and examples) and invest in training for any reconstituted DAC members so their reviews are fair and efficient.
Bartlett said many existing references to design guidance date back decades and that the town has been moving toward form-based and traditional neighborhood design approaches in some code sections but lacks a coherent, accessible set of guidelines across the ordinance. She proposed that planning staff oversee the process, with planning commission input, and recommended budgeting for consultant time to produce professional, usable guidelines.
Board members discussed reappointing long-serving volunteers (including Jim Popper/Pulver) and the practical risks of recruiting experienced volunteer reviewers; members supported advertising for DAC applicants while staff develops short-term training and guidance. Bartlett said a near-complete rough draft of the town plan should be available within weeks and that subsequent ordinance updates will follow.
Next steps: staff to continue drafting the town plan, seek funding for consultant support, advertise for DAC applicants and develop a short-term training program using regional resources.
