Challenge

Lake Paran Village is located within walking distance of the center of North Bennington, a prosperous village with a small commercial core surrounded by residences and recreational amenities, including hiking trails and a popular lakeside site. Village leadership supported the development of an affordable housing project in order to grow the region’s housing stock and increase quality of life and economic opportunity for area families.  

 Shires Housing, an affordable housing nonprofit in southwest Vermont, found a suitable parcel within walking distance of North Bennington’s center and the lake, but it was completely undeveloped and needed water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions. The parcel was also under Act 250 jurisdiction. 

Solution

We worked in conjunction with Shires, Goldstone Architecture, and Sage City Syndicate, a community development organization in the Village of North Bennington, to site a 4-building, 22-unit affordable-housing development on the parcel. We developed a stormwater plan, obtained a Vermont stormwater discharge permit, coordinated the Act 250 process, and obtained all other necessary permits. 

 Following the design phase, we provided construction administration services and throughout the process helped foster agreement between entities on the site control and sale of the property to Shires. Our survey and design teams identified that an on-site wastewater system would not be appropriate, so we connected the development to the Town of Bennington’s municipal wastewater system. We also designed water system connections and designed site access and circulation for pedestrians and vehicles. 

Results

Since its completion in fall 2020, the project has provided much-needed housing, village density, healthy living, and a foundation for economic mobility for residents. 

At a Glance

• Client: Shires Housing
• Location: North Bennington, VT
• Project Dates: 2016–2020
• Services Provided:
  • Concept Design
  • Construction Plans
  • Coordination with Local and State Regulators
  • Permit Inspections and Certification
  • Site Planning & Grading
  • Stormwater Design
  • Survey
  • Wastewater & Water Supply Design
• Permitting:
  • VT Act 250
  • VT Stormwater 9015
  • VT Stormwater 9020
  • VT Wastewater & Potable Water Supply