West Lebanon is a vibrant, thriving community and the economic hub of the Upper Valley, yet also recognized as traffic-clogged, box store-riddled eyesore. We would like to correct the negative aspects of the region while maintaining the commercial strength that is the lifeblood of the area. We propose a plan that will solve the traffic problem, make West Lebanon more aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian friendly, and provide increased potential for future economic growth.

Key points:
- Split 12A into one-way North and South Routes. This will expedite the flow of through traffic and alleviate congestion caused by traffic turning left to enter I-89. Commercial concentration will fall mainly between the North and South routes.

- Create a grid system of roads to facilitate efficient pedestrian and vehicular access to commercial zones.

- Encourage positive pedestrian atmosphere with broad sidewalks, tree-lined streets, increased green space, and humanizing elements like benches, bike racks, and monuments. A local bus system reduces private vehicular traffic (see Transit Highlight).

- Craft a town center with green space and public buildings to provide a sense of community identity. This organization around a green provides a connection with nearby towns and reflects a classic New England system, exemplified in other Upper Valley communities such as Lebanon and Hanover.

- Create shared parking on streets, lots, and structures to reduce pavement footprint.

- Heighten commercial density to allow for future growth while limiting sprawl. This philosophy echoes the planning concepts espoused in the 2000 Williston Comprehensive Plan for the Taft Corners commercial region. Utilize multi-level mixed-use spaces and parking structures to this end.

- Build with respect to the local architectural vernacular, combining the traditional elements of a New England town with key aspects of a modern commercial center to better meet the economic, aesthetic, and social needs of the region.

- Make storm water collection and treatment a public utility instead of forcing on-site treatment. Focus on removing particulate matter from the first inch of storm runoff. Johnson, Vermont has instituted a public water treatment facility to great effect.

- Heighten the connection of the town with the river, enlarge the Riparian zone, allow for line-of-sight throughout town with the river, and make a trail along the river's edge. This connection with the Connecticut River would be much like that of Burlington with Lake Champlain.

- Set a regional precedent for sustainable design, exploiting the benefits of solar gain, day lighting, sod roof construction, and local materials and vegetation. We understand that green architecture is often not considered in new construction because of the relatively high initial costs (though these are often offset by long-term cost-saving efficiency), but we hope that be following the design principles set forth by groups such as LEED, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), we might build a community that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable.

- Add 250-550 housing units to the region, double the retail space, and build an infrastructure of roads to meet growing transit needs.

- To achieve our goals, the current zoning ordinances for West Lebanon would have to undergo some serious manipulation and be reformed in a more fluid framework. We need to create zoning that will direct all construction toward our primary goals of better traffic flow, friendly pedestrian atmosphere, and attractive buildings and spaces. Specifically, the zoning ordinance must allow for heightened density and mixed use including housing, commercial, office, and restaurant space. Burlington zoning districts work in this fashion (see index). We also borrowed from mixed-use principles found in Hanover and Woodstock. Lebanon itself has a "central business" zone that is very similar to what we desire, however, it does not allow for a single structure to be used for different purposes (ex: shops on first floor, offices on the second, and apartments on the third). What we need is CBD-MU (Central Business - Mixed Use) that would read as follows: "In-town retail and service establishments, such as stores, restaurants, banks, offices, governmental activities, and high desity housing and related uses interspersed both by lot and within single structures. Shared parking on street, lots, and structures."