Category Archives: Zoning

Norwich’s Planning Commission Ponders Upzoning Options

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Everybody knows housing in the Upper Valley is pricey and scarce. To address these issues, the Norwich, Vermont Planning Commission is looking into making targeted changes to its zoning regulations. The options under consideration are to allow higher-density housing, like accessory dwelling units and multi-family homes, in certain areas. This “upzoning” approach could create more housing without significantly altering the character of existing neighborhoods. Discussions are in the early stages, but Commission members broadly agree on many key concepts. However, Continue reading Norwich’s Planning Commission Ponders Upzoning Options→

Does Norwich ‘need’ an Assistant Zoning Administrator?

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At the outset, I appreciate the efforts of the Selectboard and staff for their work on the budget. They are working long hours. Thank you Claudette, Fielding, Marcia, Mary, Miranda, Rob, Rod and Roger. The Selectboard plans on finalizing its budget at its January 5 meeting. The goal of this budget cycle is to maintain the status quo – no changes from last year other than to cover increases in employee compensation and supplies. This approach makes sense as Norwich Continue reading Does Norwich ‘need’ an Assistant Zoning Administrator?→

DRB says “highly unlikely” that Norwich sign regulations are valid under First Amendment

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In April, the Norwich Development Review Board (DRB) denied an appeal from the determination by the Zoning Administrator regarding the Black Lives Banner on Main Street. The ZA had concluded that the BLM banner is exempt from the Town’s sign regulations.* However, perhaps a more far-reaching aspect of this decision is the conclusion by the DRB that it is “highly unlikely” that the content-based aspects of the Norwich sign regulations are constitutional under the freedom of speech provisions of the Continue reading DRB says “highly unlikely” that Norwich sign regulations are valid under First Amendment→

DRB denies application for kindergarten/daycare facility on Route 5 North

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The Norwich Development Review Board recently denied the application of Tiny Seeds Village LLC to repurpose a residence and pool house into kindergarten and daycare facility. The property is located at 251 Route 5 North, with secondary access from Goodrich Four Corners Road. The parcel’s size is approximately 23 acres. My layman’s reading of the DRB decision is that the Board’s denial was primarily based on shortcomings in the proposal with respect to parking and traffic circulation. The Board also Continue reading DRB denies application for kindergarten/daycare facility on Route 5 North→

Protect ridgelines or allow solar? Norwich Selectboard may decide at its 9/23 meeting

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In the packet for the Norwich Selectboard meeting on Wednesday, September 23 is a filing with the Vermont PUC seeking approval to build a small (in relative terms), ground-based solar panel farm on Tucker Hill Road. See map above. The Net-Metering Application is in the Selectboard packet for 09-23-2020 under correspondence at page 18. Although not obvious in the PUC application, the project is located in a ridgeline protected area designated in the Town’s zoning regulations. I thought ground-based solar Continue reading Protect ridgelines or allow solar? Norwich Selectboard may decide at its 9/23 meeting→