Regulation Revisions
There are two proposed zoning changes under consideration - read on...
#1 Rural Residential 1 (RR1) Zoning
(see bottom of page for proposal documents)
May 29, 2024 Public Hearing - 6pm - Town Office
The Select Board will hold a public hearing on May 29, 2024 at 6pm to get community feedback on proposed zoning changes for the Rural Residential 1 (RR1). These changes, proposed by the Planning Commission, are the result of nearly three years of discussion, site visits, and community outreach. The purpose is to divide and rezone the existing Rural Residential 1 (RR1) zoning district into new and surrounding zoning districts to better reflect different land forms, patterns of development, and land use priorities. The geographic area affected is principally the RR1 district, but some changes will have a townwide effect.
See the summary & background document below for a brief overview of what is proposed and why. Specific changes are listed at the beginning of the Zoning Regulation document and the Subdivision document. See those documents for the section-by-section list of substantive changes, as well as the proposed new language in a track changes format (new language underlined, deleted language under strikeouts). The core of the proposal is dividing the RR1 district into three zoning districts – each with different priorities and development potential.
See the Planning Commission's RR1 District Zoning page for more background and maps showing existing development patterns and natural resources.
Next Steps - Select Board Options
After the May 29 public hearing, the Select Board has a few options:
- Adopt the regulations as proposed.
- Make minor changes, and hold another public hearing.
- Return the proposal to the Planning Commission for more substantive changes.
Your feedback is valuable! Opportunities to provide input:
- Contact Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning & Zoning). He can answer questions, and will forward your comments to the Select Board.
- Participate in the Select Board public hearing on May 29 at 6pm.
#2 Zoning Modernization for Housing
(see bottom of page for proposal documents)
April 10, 2024 Public Hearing - 7pm, Town Office
The Planning Commission is proposing changes to the Zoning Regulations. The purpose is to comply with recent changes to State law, and to make minor revisions to help enable the creation of more housing, including more affordable housing. The geographic area affected is principally the eight Village Growth Area zoning districts, but some changes will have a townwide effect. Some examples:
- Duplexes - treat the same as single-unit dwellings in terms of lot area, setbacks, etc.
- Three-plex and four-plex buildings – remove barriers and simplify required review.
- Accessory apartments - allow for at least 900 square feet of living space (more depending on the size of the principal home); remove bedroom limits and access drive restrictions.
- Affordable housing – increase the amount required in larger developments.
- Residential density – replace our current density bonus system with a more simple and consistent system that complies with State-mandated bonuses.
See the summary & background document below for a brief overview of what is proposed and why. See the Zoning Regulation document for the section-by-section list of substantive changes, as well as the proposed new language in a track changes format (new language underlined, deleted language under strikeouts).
See the Planning Commission's Zoning Modernization for Housing page for more background, including the State's guide to Zoning for Great Neighborhoods that helped inform the changes.
Your feedback is valuable! Opportunities to provide input:
- Contact Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning & Zoning). He can answer questions, and will forward your comments to the Planning Commission.
- Participate in the Planning Commission public hearing on April 10 at 7pm.
Contact Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning & Zoning)
- aweinhagen@hinesburg.org
- Phone: 802-482-4209
- Mail: 10632 Route 116, Hinesburg, VT 05461
