This story by Jason Starr was first published by the Williston Observer on Oct. 19.
After more than a year of deliberations, the Williston Planning Commission has given its blessing to a housing development plan on the 100-acre Glaser parcel at the corner of Old Stage and Mountain View roads.
Property owners Jack and Caitlin Glaser, with the help of former Williston Planning and Zoning Director Ken Belliveau as a consultant, have applied for development approval through the town’s rarely used “specific plan” process. The process calls for the Glasers to gift about half the acreage to the town in exchange for altering land use regulations to expedite the construction of 109 homes.
The commission’s approval came earlier this month on a 6-1 vote, with member Chapin Kaynor opposed. The approval ends the commission’s involvement with the project and forwards it to the selectboard for consideration. The project would also need development review board approval before construction could begin.
“I think the applicant has really made their case and earned the opportunity to bring it forward to the (selectboard),” said planning commission member Ellie Beckett.
The 53 acres due to be given to the town was recently appraised at $1.9 million. But its value goes beyond dollars, Belliveau said, as its preservation would allow for the continued operation of Windswept Farm, a beloved equestrian facility that the Glasers have allowed to use the land as horse pasture. Future farm operations would be subject to a lease agreement with the town.
Farm owner Mike Mauss endorses the plan, noting that, under the town’s traditional subdivision regulations, the parcel could be developed with more than 200 homes.
“My fear is if a major developer takes that land over, there will be a large increase in the number of houses, which will increase traffic and increase the effect on schools,” Mauss said. “We have an opportunity now to actually limit growth to (109) homes, as opposed to what could be there.”
Glaser validated that fear when he explained his Plan B for the parcel — sell to a seasoned developer.
“Our involvement will end if the specific plan isn’t approved and the town will be working with a developer whose objective is to maximize profit,” Glaser said, “and (that) means building the most homes.”
Over the course of the planning commission’s deliberations, the development plan changed to reduce the pace of buildout from a maximum of 25 homes a year to 18. The Glasers also agreed to keep 10 percent of the homes perpetually affordable and to split the road configuration so there is an outlet on both Mountain View and Old Stage roads. The original plan called for both new roads to intersect with Old Stage.
Fifteen of the 53 acres to be given to the town are along Mountain View Road, preserving the easterly views that give the road its name.
“This is probably the best outcome for this particular piece of land,” resident Terry Marron said.
But Kaynor, the lone planning commission member to vote against the plan, disagrees. He prefers any housing development proposal for the property to go through the typical development review process, which includes growth management regulations designed to limit the pace of housing construction.
Public sentiment, he said, is stronger for slowing the pace of construction than for preserving mountain views.
“We are meeting one goal of the town plan and taking away another,” Kaynor said. “I don’t think the give is equal to the take … Our commitment to growth management shouldn’t be bypassed for one viewshed.”
Editor’s note: Williston Planning Commission member Shayla Livingston is married to VTDigger editor-in-chief Paul Heintz. Heintz was not involved in the publication of this story, which was produced by the Williston Observer.
