Town of Colchester Planning Commission Public Hearing

Pursuant to Title 24 VSA, Chapter 117, the Colchester Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7 P.M. at the Colchester Town Offices, 781 Blakely Road, for the purpose of considering amendments to the Colchester Development Regulations. The proposed amendments are as follows:

a. Modify temporary uses and structures exempt from review [§2.07-E];

b. Modify requirements for accessory buildings and add new section for accessory structures exempt from permitting [§2.09-A];

c. Align requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units with state statute [§2.09-B(1)];

d. Define permitting thresholds and requirements for heights of fences, delete duplicative text, modify exemptions, update definition [§2.10, Article 12];

e. Modify Sign Regulations [§2.18];

f. Update GD3/FBC Street Tables and add definitions [§4.03 Tables 2, 3, and 4 and Article 12];

g. Amend and restructure text pertaining to Congregate Housing Density Bonus [§9.07-D, Article 12];

h. Add new section on Temporary Certificates of Occupancy [§10.01-C, §11.04-B];

i. Remove requirement for demonstrated RV parking [§10.01-J];

j. Decrease parking requirements for Duplex and Multi-Unit Dwellings [§10.01-O, Table 10-2];

k. Remove duplicative section for landscaping screening & buffering requirements [§10.04-B];

l. Add “Emergency Shelter” as a Use and add definition [Article 12 and Table A-1];

m. Allow use 2.172, Large Equipment Sales” as a conditional use in the GD2 zoning district [Table A-1];

n. Change single unit and duplex residential use from Conditional use to Permitted use in the LS1 zoning district [Table A-1]

o. Modify Frontage Requirements to remove dwelling unit ratio and reduce frontage requirements for each District [Table A-2];

p. Amend definition of ‘Inn” [Article 12];

q. Minor Amendments for Clarity and Consistency:

i. Modify sections and definitions to change references from “Single-Family Dwelling” to “Single-Unit Dwelling,” “Two-Family Dwelling” to “Duplex,” and “Multi-Family Dwelling” to “Multi-Unit Dwelling.” Delete definitions of “Family” and “Household.” [throughout]

ii. Clarify language regarding structures exempt from setback requirements [§2.05-G]

iii. Update title referencing “Fire Prevention Ordinance” [§2.16]

iv. Update language referencing “Sign Ordinance” [§10.13]

v. Clarify language allowing extensions of Zoning Permit approvals [§11.05-A]

vi. Remove Swimming Pools as an Accessory Use [Article 12]

These are a summary of the proposed changes. Copies of the adopted and proposed regulations can be found at the Town Offices at 781 Blakely Road and may also be reviewed online at http://www.colchestervt.gov. To participate in the hearing, you may 1) attend in person or 2) send written comment to the Colchester Planning Commission via USPS at the address herein or via email to Cathyann LaRose, clarose@colchestervt.gov.

Colchester Planning Commission Publication date: December 13, 2023

This article appears in Dec 13-19, 2023.