BBA mountain campus gets OK from Vt. panel
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By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: May 20, 2009
MANCHESTER – Burr and Burton plans to move forward with plans for its mountain campus in Peru now that an agreement reached with neighbors has been approved by the Vermont Environmental Court.
The project, which involves building a 7,000-square-foot academic building, a caretaker's cottage, storage shed, overnight cabin, trails and parking lot, received an Act 250 permit from the state's District 8 Environmental Commission and local permits from the town of Peru in March 2008 but appeals of both permits were filed.
The environmental court combined the appeals and asked both parties to participate in mediation. After two days, both sides reached an agreement which the environmental court approved on May 11.
Under the agreement, Burr and Burton cannot have more than 100 students attend the mountain campus during a semester or be on the grounds during a single day. The campus can only be used for 20 days during the summer and on no more than two weekends.
The school has the right to build up additional structures on the grounds, up to a limit of 4,000 square feet, including barns, sugar houses or other structures used of educational or agricultural purposes as long as they are not served by in-ground wastewater systems.
Burr and Burton has also reached an agreement to build a pedestrian access as part of the Jones Brook bridge which removes the requirement of building a handicapped-accessible walkway.
The court also approved restrictions to remain in place until 2030 that would be in effect if Burr and Burton acquires a 65-acre adjoining parcel.
Under the agreement, a 200-foot buffer on the ridgeline on Utley Flats will be maintained in perpetuity.
Burr and Burton Headmaster Mark Tashjian said in a statement that he believed the negotiations were conducted in good faith by all parties.
"The process was a long one but I believe we are in a better place to begin the project. Our discussions have helped sharpen our focus and respond to the legitimate concerns of our future neighbors," he said.
According to Burr and Burton, the next steps in creating the mountain campus are to purchase the 100 acres of land in Peru and build a bridge, driveway and a small structure to provide a base for operations.
The green light from the state and local governments as well as the agreement with neighbors, means the independent school can begin its fundraising efforts in earnest.
All capital projects at Burr and Burton have been built by money raised through fundraising efforts to private donors. Neither government funding nor tuition money contributed by sending towns or other students is used for the school's buildings.
The mountain campus was initially proposed to alleviate overcrowding at Burr and Burton but its purpose has been modified to provide educational opportunities in environmental stewardship and other, similar ecological issues.
Peru, along with Manchester, Dorset and Sunderland, is one of Burr and Burton's sending towns: municipalities that have no public high school of their own, but whose high-school-age students are guaranteed admission to Burr and Burton.
A call to Tashjian for comment on Tuesday was not immediately returned.
patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com
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