The town of Plainfield, Vermont, is facing a heated debate over how to rebuild the community following two years of severe flooding, with residents divided on the best approach to move out of floodplains.”People love it here, and they are also comfortable with a gradual pace of change,” said Bram Towbin, Plainfield’s town manager. “I’m not so sure that we have that luxury given weather events.”The East Village Expansion Project, a proposal to build homes on 23 acres above the village center, has sparked controversy. Although the land is outside the flood plain, some residents, including Genese Grill, argue that it’s not the ideal location for development. “This is not a good way to solve the problem of climate change and the problem of flooded homes,” Grill said.Grill expressed concerns about the feasibility of the project. “Many of us were interested in what could be done here, but as the area that could be built on shrunk and the expense rose, it became to seem just not reasonable,” Grill said.Nearly 300 voters rejected a proposal that would have allowed the selectboard to consider a $600,000 bond to begin development. With much of the land consisting of wetlands and steep slopes, Grill said she felt the proposal was rushed and risky. “We wanted to make the plan better and sustainable, but there was no opportunity to do that,” she said.Selectboard Vice Chair Frances Rose Subbiondo emphasized the importance of finding a solution, as flood damage and lost homes have resulted in fewer residents shouldering higher taxes. “The position of Plainfield is hardly sustainable at the moment, and we need to create new possibility in town in order to move the needle for what can be in the future,” Subbiondo said.The town is forming a new housing advisory committee, inviting residents to contribute to shaping the next steps. “All of these people who are saying there are better ways, we invite openly, transparently, warmly to join the Housing Committee to help flesh out those ideas,” Subbiondo said.Grill said she plans to join the conversation.”And then move on to find solutions together,” Grill said. If all goes to plan, residents will begin collaborating on the housing advisory committee after the next selectboard meeting on Monday.
The town of Plainfield, Vermont, is facing a heated debate over how to rebuild the community following two years of severe flooding, with residents divided on the best approach to move out of floodplains.
“People love it here, and they are also comfortable with a gradual pace of change,” said Bram Towbin, Plainfield’s town manager. “I’m not so sure that we have that luxury given weather events.”
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The East Village Expansion Project, a proposal to build homes on 23 acres above the village center, has sparked controversy. Although the land is outside the flood plain, some residents, including Genese Grill, argue that it’s not the ideal location for development.
“This is not a good way to solve the problem of climate change and the problem of flooded homes,” Grill said.
Grill expressed concerns about the feasibility of the project.
“Many of us were interested in what could be done here, but as the area that could be built on shrunk and the expense rose, it became to seem just not reasonable,” Grill said.
Nearly 300 voters rejected a proposal that would have allowed the selectboard to consider a $600,000 bond to begin development. With much of the land consisting of wetlands and steep slopes, Grill said she felt the proposal was rushed and risky.
“We wanted to make the plan better and sustainable, but there was no opportunity to do that,” she said.
Selectboard Vice Chair Frances Rose Subbiondo emphasized the importance of finding a solution, as flood damage and lost homes have resulted in fewer residents shouldering higher taxes.
“The position of Plainfield is hardly sustainable at the moment, and we need to create new possibility in town in order to move the needle for what can be in the future,” Subbiondo said.
The town is forming a new housing advisory committee, inviting residents to contribute to shaping the next steps.
“All of these people who are saying there are better ways, we invite openly, transparently, warmly to join the Housing Committee to help flesh out those ideas,” Subbiondo said.
Grill said she plans to join the conversation.
“And then move on to find solutions together,” Grill said.
If all goes to plan, residents will begin collaborating on the housing advisory committee after the next selectboard meeting on Monday.
