Insights from Hartland Planning Survey
Hartland Planning Survey conducted for the Hartland Planning Commission in Autumn 2023 reveals interesting responses from 608 self-selected residents and landowners. The survey highlights key stresses, respondent demographics, importance of long-term town attributes, and additional attributes identified by participants for Hartland's future.
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Presentation Transcript
Hartland Planning Survey conducted for the Hartland Planning Commission Reporting responses from 608 self-selected Hartland residents and non-resident landowners. Autumn, 2023 1
Four Stresses to Note in this Presentation: Desire for more services vs. anti-tax sentiment Village residents vs. rural Hartland residents >30-year residents vs. newer residents Four Corners residents vs. other residents 2
Respondent Demographics 25. Years in Hartland (n=503) 26. Age Group (n=526) 20 to 39(10%) 5 years or fewer(16%) 31 years or more(37%) 65 and older(44%) 6 to 15 years(21%) 40 to 64(46%) 16 to 30 years(26%) Respondents predominantly are old, and have lived in Hartland for many years. 3
Respondent Demographics 23. Residency Status (N=504) 24. Region within Town (N=526) Renter(5%) North Hartland(12%) Non-resident landowner(2%) Three Corners(12%) Rural Hartland(60%) Four Corners(16%) Resident landowner(93%) Respondents predominantly are resident landowners living in rural Hartland. 4
1. When thinking about Hartlands long-term future, how important for you is it that Hartland (N=594) Remains largely a quiet 61% 28% rural town These themes recur throughout the survey results. Becomes more affordable for working people 59% 32% Develops more recreational 25% 44% opportunities Develops more job opportunities 24% 45% Develops a vibrant arts,crafts & music community ... 24% 41% 100% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Very important Moderately important 5
Open-ended question: 2. What other attributes are important to Hartland s long-term future? Affordability is the biggest one for young families and to spread the tax base to a new generation. Be aware that the majority of town people are working people not in the 6 digits for salary. We have families, our taxes are becoming OVER THE TOP unaffordable. Managing and maintaining Hartland's beautiful and relatively quiet rural roads is essential. Ensuring safety for pedestrians, maintaining road surface quality, and minimizing traffic speed. Keep school choice and continue to pass budgets that focus on education. Hartland is one of the most desirable towns for families raising children in the upper valley. Protecting its unique Vermont identity. Making high speed internet available to all. Improving road maintenance. Keeping Hartland local and residential vs. Mega second homes for the rich. 6
Housing & Development in Hartland 3. Independent of location in town, which of these types of housing do you think are appropriate for Hartland? 4. Should Hartland encourage conversion of short-term (Air BnB) rental units to long-term units? Single-family homes 95% Not sure (33%) Multi-family homes 67% No (38%) Rental homes 62% Air BnB units 27% Other 13% Yes (29%) 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% N=579 N=577 7
Open-ended question: Which [other] housing types are appropriate for Hartland? Tiny home clusters or more affordable co-housing situations (Cobb Hill on a budget). In general, denser is better in town. condo units for moderate income families a few apartment buildings in select spots to offer more choices in housing Mobile homes. Working class affordable homes. Accessible housing for seniors. 8
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? 1a. How important to you is it that Hartland remains largely a quiet, rural town? (N=594) 1d. How important to you is it that Hartland develops more recreational opportunities? (N=590) Rural Hartland Rural Hartland 66% 26% 24% 41% North Hartland North Hartland 60% 28% 19% 47% Four Corners Four Corners 56% 33% 30% 50% Three Corners Three Corners 41% 38% 30% 60% 100% 100% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Very important Moderately important Very important Moderately important Three Corners respondents place less importance on Hartland remaining largely a quiet, town. Three Corners and Four Corners respondents place more importance on recreational facility development. 9
Locating development options 50% In village areas 69% Adjacent to villages 5. Where in Hartland should multi-family homes and multi-family rental units be located? (N=610) 53% Along highways linking villages 47% In rural areas 24% Other 14% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% In no other areas 36% Adjacent to villages 45% 6. Where in Hartland should further commercial development be encouraged? (N=610) Along highways linking villages 43% In rural areas 9% Other 12% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% In no other areas 55% Adjacent to villages 21% 7. Where in Hartland should further industrial development be encouraged? (N=610) Along highways linking villages 30% In rural areas 9% Other 13% 10
Evaluating crosstabulations: Cross independent variables against dependent variables: (e.g. years living in Hartland against opinions on recreational resources). When comparing groups, FIRST, differences must be statistically significant, meaning unlikely to result from random variability. THEN, differences must be actionable, meaning the differences must be large enough to be worth considering for change. 11
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? 6. Where in Hartland should further commercial development be encouraged? Rural Hartland -40% 41% 41% North Hartland -38% 40% 12% Four Corners -33% 50% 43% Three Corners -20% 54% 57% -60% -40% -20% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 0% In no other areas Along highways Adjacent to villages (N=526) Three Corners residents are more likely to favor commercial development along highways. Development adjacent to villages is least acceptable to rural Hartland residents. 12
9. Which of the following land-use types should be zoned? Only those answering yes to the zoning question. 8. In your opinion, should Hartland have zoning ordinances? (N=533) Retail stores, markets 87% Commercial structures 86% Not sure (19%) Hospitality services 72% Multi-family homes 70% Yes (41%) Gravel pits 68% Mobile homes (N=218) 64% Single-family homes 52% No (41%) Other 15% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 13
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? 9. If Hartland were to adopt zoning ordinances, which of the following land-use types should be zoned? Rural Hartland 55% 71% 16% North Hartland 66% 86% 14% Four Corners 46% 55% 9% Three Corners 68% 68% 88% 100% 150% 200% 250% 50% 0% Single family homes Hospitality services (N=218) Multi-family homes Three Corners respondents are substantially more inclined toward zoning for single family homes, multi-family homes and hospitality services. Four Corners residents and substantially less inclined than respondents from other parts of Hartland. 14
50% Cell phone towers 46% 10. Should Hartland encourage construction of (N=549) Wind towers 31% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% Ambulance services 54% Health services 53% 11. Should Hartland increase spending to support (N=550) Fire dept. services 52% Police services 49% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 15
Environmental Conservation Priorities 13. How would you prioritize the following conservation measures Hartland could take? (N=545) Manage invasive species 57% 30% Create stream buffers 54% 30% Wildlife conservation 52% 34% Critical habitat identification 45% 35% Wetland identification 45% 35% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% High priority Medium priority 16
Open-ended question: What other environmental conservation measures should Hartland encourage or undertake? Flooding of properties as that has been a major issue the past three years if not longer. Flood resilience. Climate resilience. Road erosion. Our ditches are middling. Working with state to reduce runoff from roads into our brooks and streams. Maintaining buffer zones for rivers and streams is of utmost importance. 17
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? How would you prioritize the following environmental conservation measures Hartland could take? 13a. Identification of wetlands 13b. Wildlife conservation Rural Hartland 43% 35% Rural Hartland 49% 37% North Hartland 33% 38% North Hartland 41% 33% Four Corners 65% 25% Four Corners 66% 30% Three Corners 38% 48% Three Corners 53% 33% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% High Priority Medium Priority High Priority Medium Priority (N=545) (N=545) Four Corners respondents place more importance on wetland identification than do other respondents. Four Corners respondents place more importance on wildlife conservation than do other respondents. 18
Cross-tabulation analysis: How would you prioritize the following environmental conservation measures Hartland could take? 13c. Identification of critical habitats How many years have you lived in Hartland? In what part of Hartland do you live? Rural Hartland 5 years or fewer 42% 37% 53% 36% North Hartland 6 to 15 years 45% 31% 48% 34% Four Corners 16 to 30 years 59% 28% 52% 29% Three Corners 31 years or more 31% 39% 32% 40% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 0% High Priority Medium Priority High priority Medium priority (N=544) (N=544) Four Corners respondents place more importance on critical habitat identification than do other respondents. The longest-term residents are less likely to prioritize critical habitat identification. 19
Cross-tabulation analysis: How would you prioritize the following environmental conservation measures Hartland could take? 13d. Creating buffers along brooks & streams How many years have you lived in Hartland? In what part of Hartland do you live? 5 years or fewer Rural Hartland 60% 35% 53% 30% 6 to 15 years North Hartland 58% 28% 41% 36% 16 to 30 years Four Corners 60% 23% 71% 20% 31 years or more Three Corners 44% 33% 48% 36% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 0% High priority Medium priority High priority Medium priority (N=545) (N=545) Four Corners respondents place more importance on creating stream buffers than do other respondents. The longest-term residents are less likely to prioritize creating buffers along brooks and streams. 20
Cross-tabulation analysis: How would you prioritize the following environmental conservation measures Hartland could take? 13f. Sustainable timber harvesting How many years have you lived in Hartland? In what part of Hartland do you live? Rural Hartland 5 years or fewer 40% 38% 34% 42% 6 to 15 years North Hartland 45% 36% 45% 40% Four Corners 16 to 30 years 44% 41% 57% 30% 31 years or more Three Corners 29% 45% 30% 48% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 0% High priority Medium priority High priority Medium priority (N=545) (N=545) The longest-term residents are less likely to prioritize sustainable timber harvesting. Four Corners respondents place more importance on creating stream buffers than do other respondents. 21
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? How would you prioritize the following environmental conservation measures Hartland could take? Managing invasive species Rural Hartland 56% 30% North Hartland 52% 29% Four Corners 69% 24% Three Corners 51% 38% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% High priority Medium priority (N=545) Four Corners respondents place more importance on managing invasive species than do other respondents. 22
Recreational Resource Priorities 15. How would you prioritize measures Hartland could take to enhance its recreational resources? Encourage bicycle & ped. trails 50% 30% Maintain legal trails 42% 44% Rec. use of public lands 40% 46% Lull's Brook testing 39% 45% Sumner's Falls management 33% 47% Maintain Class 4 roads 23% 44% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% High Medium (N=542) 23
Open-ended question: What other environmental conservation measures should Hartland encourage or undertake? Flood resilience. Climate resilience. Road erosion. Our ditches are middling. Working with state to reduce runoff from roads into our brooks and streams. Maintaining buffer zones for rivers and streams is of utmost importance. Perhaps a local awards scheme of some type to recognize folks who do outstanding work to conserve their or surrounding Hartland land. 24
Cross-tabulation analysis: 15. How would you prioritize measures Hartland could take to enhance its recreational resources? 15f. Encourage bicycle and pedestrian roads & trails How many years have you lived in Hartland? In what part of Hartland do you live? Rural Hartland 5 years or fewer 59% 34% 45% 30% 6 to 15 years North Hartland 63% 20% 45% 35% Four Corners 16 to 30 years 48% 31% 66% 26% 31 years or more Three Corners 41% 32% 64% 26% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 0% High priority Medium priority Very important Moderately important (N=542) (N=542) Four Corners respondents are less likely to prioritize encouraging bicycle and pedestrian trails. Four Corners and Three Corners respondents place more importance on bicycle and pedestrian roads and trails than do other respondents. 25
Cross-tabulation analysis: 15. How would you prioritize measures Hartland could take to enhance its recreational resources? 15a. Sumner s Falls management In what part of Hartland do you live? Rural Hartland 53% 30% North Hartland 41% 36% Four Corners 71% 20% Three Corners 48% 36% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% High priority Medium priority (N=542) Four Corners respondents place more importance on Sumner s Falls management than do other respondents. 26
Encouraging & Supporting Businesses 17. How important are the following options for Hartland to encourage and support businesses? Encourage use of existing spaces 56% 35% Assist with state devel. programs 28% 45% Recruit new businesses 23% 44% Offer grants or loans 19% 34% Install water & sewer services 18% 30% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% Very important Moderately important (N=537) 27
Open-ended question: What other measures could Hartland take to encourage and support businesses in town? Commercial development should be done carefully and in small scale so we don't become East Woodstock or South Quechee. Assistance/incentives for businesses using existing spaces. Disincentives for new development. Taxes are extremely high. We shouldn't use taxpayers dollars to support businesses. Stop fighting proposed businesses- it would greatly help our tax base. Zone the Rt 5 and Rt 12 corridors open for commercial development. Hartland should remain a residential town not an industrial and commercial town. 28
Achieving Energy & Emissions Goals 19. How would you prioritize the following actions to reach Hartland s goals? Weatherizing buildings 55% 33% Encourage use of renewable energy 52% 27% Encourage community solar arrays 38% 29% Encourage more public transportation 38% 33% Encourage vehicle charging stations 27% 29% Encourage conversion to electricity 25% 35% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% High priority Medium priority (N=530) 29
Open-ended question: What other actions could Hartland encourage or take to reach its energy and emissions goals? Offer grants or town tax rebates for installation of solar or other alternative energy sources for homeowners. Solar panels and wind panels are a blight on the landscape. Electric vehicles are not affordable for most of the community. Electric vehicle stations only help those who have the money to buy the vehicles. It is an inequitable priority. Hartland's support should be equitable policies & encouragement. Help homeowners and biz owners to understand and take advantage of any incentives, programs etc. for weatherization or investment in more sustainable technologies. Provide (or find?) financial assistance for townspeople to participate in lowering their energy use. My family lives in a great spot for solar, but we can't afford it. Offer grants or town tax rebates for installation of solar or other alternative energy sources for homeowners. 30
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. For how many years have you lived in Hartland? 19. How would you prioritize the following possible actions to reach [Hartland s energy and emissions] goals? 19b. Encourage electric heating & cooling conversions 19c. Encourage renewable energy for new or renovated buildings 5 years or fewer 5 years or fewer 48% 26% 34% 33% 6 to 15 years 6 to 15 years 48% 26% 28% 36% 16 to 30 years 16 to 30 years 36% 34% 27% 34% 31 years or more 31 years or more 28% 27% 16% 34% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% High priority Medium priority High priority Medium priority (N=530) (N=530) Respondents who have lived in Hartland for over 30 years are less likely than other respondents to wish to encourage renewable energy. Respondents who have lived in Hartland for over 30 years are less likely than other respondents to wish to encourage electric heating & cooling conversions. 31
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? 19. How would you prioritize the following possible actions to reach [Hartland s energy and emissions] goals? 19e. Encourage more public transportation 19d. Encourage community solar panel array installations. 5 years or fewer 5 years or fewer 48% 26% 30% 40% 6 to 15 years 6 to 15 years 32% 32% 48% 26% 16 to 30 years 16 to 30 years 36% 34% 29% 24% 31 years or more 31 years or more 20% 28% 28% 27% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 0% 0% High priority Medium priority High priority Medium priority (N=530) (N=530) Respondents who have lived in Hartland for over 30 years are less likely than other respondents to wish to encourage community solar panel array installations. Respondents who have lived in Hartland for over 30 years are less likely than other respondents to wish to encourage more public transportation. 32
Transportation Needs 21. How would you prioritize the following actions to address Hartland s transportation needs? Encourage more bus service 37% 35% Encourage multi-family housing 34% 35% Encourage a local car pool program 23% 40% Encourage use of "Go Vermont" 21% 41% Install electric chargers in villages 20% 32% Enhance the I-91 park & ride 17% 39% 100% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% High priority Medium Priority (N=527) 33
Open-ended question: What other actions could Hartland take to address its transportation needs? Bike paths/lanes along roads to allow for better recreation and commuting. Create better parking in the newly redeveloped 3 corners. Parking is terrible, no place to park if you have a trailer. More frequent bus stops at Hartland s park and ride as well as adding stops at 3 corners, 4 corners and North Hartland. A lot of people that use the bus service still need to find a ride to the bus stop. Create more bike/walking lanes, wider shoulders for safer non- vehicular travel on the roadways. 34
Cross-tabulation analysis: 24. In what part of Hartland do you live? 21. How would you prioritize the following possible actions to reach Hartland s transportation goals? 21a. Install electric vehicle charging stations in village centers Rural Hartland 20% 31% 21c. Encourage multi-family housing in village centers Rural Hartland 32% 32% North Hartland North Hartland 19% 22% 36% 35% Four Corners Four Corners 31% 36% 44% 41% Three Corners Three Corners 10% 31% 26% 43% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% 0% High priority Medium priority High priority Medium priority (N=500) (N=500) Four Corners respondents place more importance on encouraging community solar panel arrays than do other respondents. Four Corners respondents place much more importance on encouraging conversion to electric heating and cooling than do other respondents. 35
Cross-tabulation analysis: 25. In what part of Hartland do you live? 21. How would you prioritize the following possible actions to address Hartland s transportation needs? 21c. Encourage multi-family housing in village centers 5 years or fewer 44% 38% 6 to 15 years 38% 28% 16 to 30 years 35% 40% 31 years or more 26% 35% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 0% High priority Medium priority (N=500) Four Corners respondents place more importance on encouraging a local car pool program than do other respondents. 36
? Questions 37
