Review Board Has Well-Defined Job

Review Board Has Well-Defined Job

In the midst of the accusations and misinformation flying around concerning the Vt. Pure applications currently before the Randolph Development Review Baord, I want to ask that we all focus on the essential fact that the DRB does, in fact, have very clear criteria that they are required to apply to all permit applications—whether filed by an individual or a large company.

The concerns being raised about Vt. Pure's proposal relate directly to three specific Conditional Use Criteria: B. "The proposed use shall not cause any hazard to health or property through fire, traffic, accident, unsanitary conditions, excessive noise, vibration, odor, or other nuisances"; C. "The proposed use shall not add a volume of traffic to highways beyond their reasonable capacity"; and J. "The proposed use shall not adversely affect the character of the area." In addition, the application specifically asks whether or not the proposed development will affect surrounding property owners' ability to "appropriately develop" their property.

Obviously putting up to 70 tractor trailers on a dirt back road in Vermont—and allowing them to operate between 6 a.m.-9 p.m. daily—changes the character of the area forever. It also produces excessive traffic, noise, dust, and safety hazards. Finally, all of that will permanently change the value and attractiveness of residents' properties—which does limit their ability to "develop" (ie. sell) those properties.

We all should be proud that Vermont has refused to abandon its citizens' rights to peace, quiet, and a rural lifestyle in favor of big business; instead, our state has developed criteria like those quoted above to protect each individual's rights. So the debate is really about this question: Will the town follow its own criteria, or will it sacrifice both the affected residents and its own standards in this situation?

Dawn Walters

Randolph Center

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