HARTLAND — A proposal for a new “traditional Vermont farm store” just off Interstate 91 has sparked questions about the future of business growth in Hartland as well as conversations among townspeople.
Last month, a Florida development company applied for a state permit under Law 250 to develop 17 acres of open land adjacent to Route 5, less than half a mile from Exit 9 south of I-91.
The Sunnymede Farms Store will be a “point of sale for Sunnymede Farms and related agricultural products” and will include “a take-out deli, bakery and small food court”, as well as an outdoor event space for music in the summer. , the app states.
The business would be housed in a two-story building of nearly 7,500 square feet.
Some residents see the proposed development as an intrusion into Hartland’s local economy and small-town feel. Others see it as an opportunity.
“Nothing about what they offer is related to what I do,” said Hartland Diner owner Nicole Bartner. “We are a full-service, sit-down restaurant. The fact that they’re bringing more people to Hartland is just better for all of us – for the few businesses that exist here.
Sunnymede LLC is owned by Aubrey Ferrao, a well-known Southwest Florida real estate developer who so far has kept a low profile in Vermont.
“At this time, we have no information other than what is included in our Law Enforcement Request 250, which is quite detailed,” Rutland’s attorney, Andrew Lechner, said in a statement. an e-mail response to a maintenance request. Lechner is a partner at Facey Goss & McPhee, which represents Sunnymede in the Act 250 process.
Ferrao owns Sunnymede Farm, a 600-acre beef and sugar bush operation near Hartland Four Corners.
Although Ferrao is not well known in Vermont, he has been playing in Florida Gulf Coast developmental circles for more than 35 years. Since founding Gulf Bay Groups of Companies in 1986, Ferrao has focused on developing high-rise condominiums and luxury homes in the Naples area.
Gretchen Schmertz, owner of Skunk Hollow Tavern on Brownsville Road, wonders if the city will see much economic benefit from the proposed Sunnymede store.
“Maybe I’m standing in the way of progress, but if you have a place where you can get everything right out the door, you wouldn’t have to turn down the road and check our stuff here,” Schmertz said.
“I also have a problem with making it sound like ‘Vermont,'” Schmertz added.
In its Law Enforcement 250 application, Sunnymede touts rural New England aesthetics as a selling point. The store’s design “will consist of traditional Vermont architectural elements and colors…to accentuate the store’s traditional Vermont feel,” the request states.
Sunnymede having submitted all required documents to Law Office 250 in Springfield, Vermont, the proposal is now before district committee staffsaid coordinator Peter Kopsco.
Bill 250, the Vermont Land Use and Development Act, was signed into law in 1970.
“I think every person deserves the opportunity to argue why a project should be accepted,” said Hartland City Manager Dave Ormiston.
“Law 250 will determine whether or not it respects the urban plan,” Ormiston said.referring to part of the law require that a project respect “local and regional plans”. In Hartland’s case, that means staying true to the city plan.
Hartland, which has a population of approximately 3,500, does not have a zoning ordinance. Instead, the city relies on its urban plan to serve as a roadmap for future development.
According to the Hartland Urban Planthe Sunnymede project is located in the city’s designated “rural area”, the main objectives of which are “maintaining the city’s natural resource base, agricultural economy and forestry industry”.
“The project aligns with the primary purpose of the rural area, as the store serves as an on-farm sales store for local Sunnymede Farms in Hartland as well as other local growers in Vermont,” defend the proposal .
While Hartland is in the process of drafting a new urban plan, this proposal will be measured against the 2017 urban plan.
“If it’s according to plan, then you have to build it; if it’s not, then it shouldn’t be built,” said Todd Heyman, owner of Fat Sheep Farm, a working farm in Hartland that also offers lodging. “If you don’t follow the rules, you’re going to be ruled by the favourites.”
Regardless of the outcome of the proposal, Heyman suggests this could be an opportunity to double down on what people actually want in the city plan, as it is now proving so crucial to the development of a town like Hartland, which n does not have its own zoning restrictions.
Since Hartland is an unzoned city, the project only needs a Law 250 permit and a building permit from the city to get started.
Tom Wetmore, a longtime Hartland resident who now operates an Airbnb in town, agrees that in such a controversial development, Hartland should look to the regulations for guidance.
“If someone follows the rules and meets all the requirements, then really they should be allowed to do whatever they want,” Wetmore said.
Still, he’s not convinced that what ends up being built will necessarily be what was proposed.
“I don’t necessarily like the end product, but I always thought this place would be a great place for a farm stand,” Wetmore said. “As to whether that’s what he has in mind, I don’t know.”
The app now faces a public comment period, the dates of which have yet to be set. Once this begins, a party can come forward and request a public hearing.
When the time comes, comments can be posted at the following link: https://nrb.vermont.gov/enforcement/proposed-citation-AO-AOD.
Frances Mize is a member of the Report for America corps. She can be reached at [email protected] or 603-727-3242.
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