Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all had a good weekend. I reach out to you today with two updates, one on the UVM Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Housing and the other on the Neighborhood Code.

Due to an error in posting, I was informed this morning that an FPF post from UVM did not go out late last week and it was not discovered by UVM until today. In an effort to spread the word, I wanted you to know that UVM is hosting a community event on the UVM MOU. The event is TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 6 AT 5:30PM IN ROOM 338 IN THE UVM WATERMAN BUILDING.

UVM Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Cate will provide an update on the current draft (recently revised) of the proposed MOU related to UVM's ongoing commitment to build additional housing for its students and proposed zoning changes that would help to enable its construction. See https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Division-of-Finance-Administration/Housing_[...]pdf.

The community is invited to attend, either in person or via the following Microsoft Teams link, https://go.uvm.edu/uvmhousing. At the end of the presentation, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions. Anyone who wishes to send questions in advance should direct them to cindy.lee@UVM.edu.

Many of you have heard about the proposed amendment to our ordinances called the NEIGHBORHOOD CODE. The Neighborhood Code is a significant amendment and one that will impact neighborhoods across the city. Some of the proposed changes are to conform with just recently passed State zoning laws and others expand upon State law to offer greater potential for housing.

There are two opportunities to hear about the Neighborhood Code. The Office of Planning is invited to the WARD 1 NPA MEETING ON FEBRUARY 14, with some specific requests from the steering committee for our presentation. The zoom link for their meetings is: https://zoom.us/j/96245939050 and they meet in person at the Friends Meeting House on 173 North Prospect. Though the schedule can vary, meetings begin by 7pm.

The Office of Planning has scheduled a NEIGHBORHOOD CODE PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION for TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH, FROM 6:00 – 7:30PM. THIS MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN A HYBRID FORMAT, WITH THE IN-PERSON OPTION HOSTED AT THE FLETCHER FREE LIBRARY's Fletcher Room. Stay tuned for more information this coming week on FPF. I just wanted to get this on your radar.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE MEETINGS AND I WILL ALSO PROVIDE YOU WITH UPDATES AND INFORMATION VIA FPF IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I would welcome your thoughts on this important change and will look forward to hearing from you.

My best,
Karen

May 9, 2024, 7 to 8:30 PM

May 11, 2024, 9 AM to 1 PM

May 11, 2024, 7:30 PM