The ridgelines and wooded hillsides of Montpelier are important assets which remain largely undeveloped. Typically these areas have had limited development potential due to their rugged character, shallow soils and the availability of other areas for development. In recent years the City has experienced several developments which have had a significant impact on these features and raised citizen concern for their protection. Construction along ridgelines and hillsides prominently alters the nature of the City and should be strongly discouraged. The approximate location of principal ridgelines is shown on Figure 5.
Ridgelines are an unregulated natural feature.
Open Space Despite a densely built-up urban core, Montpelier is endowed with abundant open spaces. Much of this open area is on the periphery of the City, such as upper Elm Street, outer Terrace Street, Town Hill Road and Barre Street. These open areas in large part define the urban core. Frequently they include natural features such as floodplains or steep slopes which limit their development potential. However, they provide important recreation, visual and environmental benefits.