The St Albans Town Planning Commission recently completed a rewrite of the Town Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Regulations. The new document is more user friendly having nicely reorganized the existing bylaws, adding more details and explaining the zoning application process. However, there are many requirements that are not mandatory and leave the design and access infrastructure to new projects to the discretion of the developer. In the Residential, Commercial/Residential and Commercial zones there is no requirement to build sidewalks. There is a density bonus incentive for the Commercial/Residential and Commercial zones but nothing to encourage Residential PUD's to build them. Similarly in all of these zones there is no requirement to have connectivity to adjacent properties so residents can easily access different neighborhoods. As an advocate for safe walking and biking in the community, these bylaws need to be amended to require sidewalks and connectivity. On Monday December 14th, the Town Selectboard will have a public hearing prior to the approval of this important policy document. If you are a Town resident concerned with the lack of sidewalks, please attend this meeting to let the board know how you feel. Let's not miss the opportunity of having developers building sidewalks that can eventually be connected to other sidewalks in the community.

Oct 26, 2024, 5 to 8 PM

Oct 27, 2024, 1 to 3 PM

Oct 29, 2024, 6 to 8 PM