Want to learn more about the Neighborhood Code? More information about the proposed amendment is available online, including in-depth responses to frequenly asked questions and a video series outlining the proposal.
The BTV Neighborhood Code, which is one of our 2021 Housing Action Plan goals, is all about how we build on the strength of the city's neighborhoods, evaluate the zoning tools that regulate new homes in these areas today, and identify opportunities for new neighborhood-scale housing citywide. Keep reading for more information about upcoming public engagement events.
About the Joint Committee Process
The Neighborhood Code has been reviewed through a Joint Committee process between the city’s Planning Commission and City Council Ordinance Committee. These Joint Committee meetings are open to the public both online and in person and will include opportunities to give feedback at each of the following meetings. To access the each meeting's agenda, presentation materials, or recording, click "View on CivicClerk" below:
- Wednesday, October 4th - View on CivicClerk
- Tuesday, October 17th - View on CivicClerk
- Tuesday, October 24th - View on CivicClerk
- Thursday, November 2nd - View on CivicClerk
- Tuesday, November 28th - View on CivicClerk
- Tuesday, December 5th - View on CivicClerk
- Tuesday, December 12th - View on CivicClerk
- Tuesday, December 19th (Virtual meeting) - View on CivicClerk
- Public Hearing: Tuesday, January 9th - View on CivicClerk
Joint Committee meetings may be attended in person at City Hall, or remotely via Zoom.
Committee meetings are open to the public with both hybrid and in-person attendance options and include opportunities to submit comments during Public Forum. To submit comments or feedback to the Committee, please email Office of City Planning staff, members of the Planning Commission, or members of the City Council Ordinance Committee. You can sign up for email updates using this online form. You can also click here for more information about the public engagement opportunities that have taken place over the last year.
- September 11, 2023: City Council Presentation on the Joint Committee Process Slides
- November 13, 2023: Virtual Engagement Session Presentation Slides and Recording
- June 27, 2023: Planning Commission, Summary of HOME Bill
- May 1, 2023: City Council Presentation
- July 25, 2023: Planning Commission, Engagement Update
- March 28, 2022: Planning Commission Project Update
- October 13, 2022: EcoNorthwest & AARP Housing Equity Workshop
- Neighborhood Code Informational Flyer, October 2023
- Opticos Design + AARP Vermont Missing Middle Housing Study
- "The Missing Middle" by 99% Invisible: In this podcast, 99% Invisible explores what Missing Middle Housing is, when zoning laws began to outlaw multi-unit tenement buildings, and the steps that cities like Toronto and Portland, OR, are taking to re-legalize these building types.
- "Enabling Better Places: A Zoning Guide for Vermont Neighborhoods": This report, published in August 2020 as a collaborative effort between the Congress for the New Urbanism and the State of Vermont's Agency of Commerce & Community Development, acts as a how-to manual and promotes practical, small steps for how Vermont's cities, towns, and villages can address the regulatory barriers that limit housing options across the state.
Want to stay informed about Part 2 of the Neighborhood Code?
You can sign up for email updates using the online form below:
BTV Neighborhood Code is supported by a Bylaw Modernization Grant from the VT Dept of Housing & Community Development, and in collaboration with and in-kind support from AARP-Vermont's Livable Communities program.