Development

Policies & Principles Environmental Council Environmental Studies Program Fellowships in Environmental Journalism Archives

SUMMARY:

Internal Environmental Assessment Not Standard Process
Internal environmental assessment does usually take place during the development process. A recent example of such assessment was the study of the status of endangered species status in the proposed Ridgeline Woods development area. However, no policy requires that internal environmental assessment occur during the development process. Wallace, Floyd, Associates Master Plan 1996
A copy of the Master Plan developed by Wallace, Floyd, Associates Inc., Boston MA, is available at the Starr Library reserve desk. It was completed in September 1996 in collaboration with Resource Systems Group, Inc., White River Junction, VT, and Phelps Engineering, Inc., Middlebury, VT. Portions relating to development issues are outlined below: Chapter 1 - Vision for Growth
"Future projects should be evaluated in terms of environmental responsiveness and sustainability as well as their capital and operating cost efficiencies." Chapter 2 - Guidelines for Growth Under "Objectives for campus growth are as follows:"
"-- to minimize environmental impacts when siting, designing and constructing new buildings or renovating old ones." Chapter 3 - Circulation Plan Objectives
"-- to encourage development of a pedestrian campus"
"-- to minimize driving on campus"
"-- to locate parking at periphery of campus"
Chapter 3 also includes creation of neckdowns at crosswalks on College St. for traffic calming. (done)
Chapter 3 also includes suggestions to reduce or eliminate parking on Old Chapel Rd. Chapter 4 - Open Space and Natural Features Objectives
"-- to respect natural features including wetlands and woodlands"
"-- to respect context in and around Middlebury including the village and farming environment"
"-- to continue use of natural features as field laboratories and outdoor classrooms"
Chapter 4 also includes the following clause from the Pathways to a Green Campus report:
"1. In its stewardship of land, the College endeavors to:

safeguard the beauty of the landscape."

Chapter 4 also recommends that the College should consider developing a comprehensive Land Management Plan which addresses all College owned land in depth. Circulation Map
This map includes reference to bicycle lanes on College St. Open Space Map
This map identifies land type of the campus and surrounding area by the following categories:

wetlands

It also identifies the following features:

Western Ridge

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Develop internal review committee for development projects. The Environmental Council has recommended that the College develop a committee to guide the formulation of development projects (new construction and renovation) along the guidelines laid out by the Wallace, Floyd Master Plan and applicable state laws. Membership would include representation from the administration, the Environmental Council, Facilities Management, and areas of the College directly involved in the project. This committee should review all new projects and begin to make recommendations beginning as soon as possible.