In 2020 some of you might recall that Higher Ground hosted a concert series called "The Backside of 405" which included summer outdoor concerts in the back section of the City Arts building on Pine Street. The concert series was very popular, well attended and despite being outdoors, I did not hear complaints about it. However, that concert series was only allowed because of the many rules waived during Covid, and the under normal conditions, the zoning would not be allowed under current zoning.

There is currently a proposal before the City Council Ordinance Committee (which includes Ward 6 Councilor Becca Brown McKnight, Ward 2 Councilor Gene Bergman, and myself as Chair) to change the zoning to allow these type of concerts in the South End Arts District as a "Conditional Use". The vision is to allow Higher Ground or potentially another concert venue to host these types of concerts indoors.

The committee would love to hear from you about your hopes, suggestions, and concerns for the proposed change at our public forum at the DPW building, 645 Pine St at 7 pm on Wednesday March 5. City staff will also be available at the meeting and we will do our best to answer your questions.
Here is a link to more information about the proposal:
https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8015/files/attachment/8028

Here are email addresses for committee members:
Joan Shannon jshannon@burlingtonvt.gov
Gene Bergman gbergman@burlingtonvt.gov
Becca Brown McKnight bbrownmcknight@burlingtonvt.gov

Event Info

Mar 4, 2025, 3:30 to 4:30 PM

Mar 5, 2025, 7 to 9:30 PM

Mar 8, 2025, 10:30 to 11:30 AM