The Sugarbush representatives also noted that one ski lift would be
installed 200 feet closer to the village and that that lift would
create a "strong connection." Yes, for skiers perhaps, but what about
people who want to get from Clay Brook to Chez Henri or Miguel's or any
of the other businesses in Sugarbush Village?
How will Clay Brook guests who want to go out for dinner someplace
other than Timbers get there? Walk down the length of the parking lot
and along the road and back up the sidewalk-less access to Sugarbush
Village? In the dark? With their kids?
Does it make any sense for a resort that minds its environmental P's
and Q's as thoughtfully as Sugarbush does to create a situation where
its residential guests have to get in their cars and drive to Sugarbush
Village for a meal? Cost concerns are important, but it's even more
important to build while planning not just for 2010 and 2011 but for
2050 and beyond. Pedestrian access is critical. Critical for safety,
critical for reducing carbon emissions and critical for guest service.
When former Sugarbush owner Les Otten first proposed the on-mountain
hotel that later morphed (thankfully) into the Clay Brook project, the
issue of connectivity was discussed at length before the Warren
planners and at the Mad River Valley Planning District level.
The answer that first time around was that connectivity counts. It was
recognized as important and identified as critical to Warren's Town
Plan. Blueprints for that project showed a walkway connecting the south
end of the Chez Henri parking lot to the Grand Hotel.
It is no less important this time around. Sugarbush is a good neighbor
and regularly does the right thing when it comes to planning for its
projects. Here's hoping that will happen this time as well.
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