[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6345247,"mediaKeyId","2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51","parentId",2249449,"title","Essex Junction begins planning timeline for updated comprehensive plan; housing, land use and energy prioritized","audioSeconds",2114,"startMs",4388000,"endMs",6502000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51&start=4388&end=6502","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51/thumbnail_4388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345247/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Essex-Junction-begins-planning-timeline-for-updated-comprehensive-plan-housing-land-use-and-energy-prioritized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345247-116c3983831b2ce13403f552ce70b2d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773141850&Signature=G4j~XpM3XQEYh3UUtJbZP74GCSUKeKe8A9wY6S1scv8NNRTom7V2RHkRXZZ5eptibEYM8ZhAc3oFdJfLoDfxOwlgPJOxm8dgoPRkFw5qiejpD2j4a2~aEwLhFFF1WyAdYU0h0MvqNx5OrYaU47AcOmObaIaJGTaIR~aU475V16WtA~YL-iusYJ7FWwv0-EnGJ5UYdIBnHO3NjJ2tOWDHPwXrAAqnULu58xVphkAKADER4f4xEDSmlLJXInHMosS~6RKxKsoXZXzzIypPoZH4D6fSqii5PkhywYcgD7Hi5vGE1yKetXMfHfi2ZNtaFcC6eHPAfThqmCKzylL70ccHQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Essex Junction City, VT","date","2025-02-07T13:49:40Z","article","Planning staff briefed the Planning Commission and City Council on the timeline and scope for an update to Essex Junction’s comprehensive plan, which the staff said effectively expires in August 2027. The FY2026 work plan includes a project to update the plan and staff urged applying for municipal planning grants to expand public engagement and technical assistance.

Staff identified five priority topics for deeper work: housing, a future land use map, an energy/renewables plan, economic development, and transportation connectivity. Presenters said the state has released new regional housing targets and a statewide housing needs assessment; municipal plans should demonstrate efforts to address those targets. Staff estimated the municipality may need to plan for roughly 100–200 new housing units per year to align with regional targets, though exact municipal targets will come from CCRPC guidance.

Commissioners and councilors recommended forming volunteer working groups and subcommittees to support engagement and technical tasks and noted the need for staff capacity. Several members urged authors to incorporate climate adaptation, human and social services, weatherization and energy-efficiency priorities into the plan. Staff flagged the municipal planning grant timeline (applications due in spring) and recommended starting outreach and scoping work now to meet the statutory approval process and public-hearing schedule.

Members suggested quarterly or semiannual joint check-ins between the council and commission to track progress, and staff agreed to produce a calendar of statutory steps, public-hearing windows and grant deadlines so the commission and council can align resources and volunteer support. No formal decisions were taken; staff will prepare a timeline and funding options for follow-up meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Essex Junction Planning Commission and City Council - 2/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The planning commission and city council discussed updating the comprehensive plan (expires August 2027). Staff proposed focusing on housing, future land use, energy, economic development and transportation and urged earlier stakeholder engagement and grant applications to support outreach.","taxTitle","Essex Junction City, Chittenden County, Vermont","taxId",68791,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345251,"Essex Junction approves applying for Downtown Transportation Fund and adopts municipal resolution",320,6644000,6964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51&start=6644&end=6964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51/thumbnail_6644000.jpg","/articles/6345251/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Essex-Junction-approves-applying-for-Downtown-Transportation-Fund-and-adopts-municipal-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345251-dadf0c25884a1c08881ae540fbbf93be/orig.mp4?Expires=1773141850&Signature=iwJkCmQM9DuGdmcP7u2vIKcowSvTDF3gdxKmdx1TWREJPVt4k~a7un~KQ19ByNoBrNUTZ2ErwQv7ipFkP9xyQLsmCdFxoP9~3YPH0QiE4cc4fmXPW4-di8bfVM9SId6AtgSKJrGyzCvIqZ3y9bqwhirytw2dtz8cldmXRyH5BTl03X~e1rAy9idlS852hOxdEUD~dWr3IuxqYi~FNq4aoV6lxVGJqnF-mVAPIz2~ieyjBjDzLUsIP37p-UFKWu8BFnSf~L6gYBIyn6dOioqvOhdjjCDLz~pZoeQ51gAMiMlkf06qtkyDKzu8EiiKSeRBKOAlmbPtUA36dzn3hJJUhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Essex Junction City Council and Planning Commission voted to recommend that the city apply for a Downtown Transportation Fund grant to advance design and engineering for a multilevel train and bus station and adopted a municipal resolution supporting the application.

Staff described a federal funding opportunity that could provide up to $3,000,000 for the project, with a required non-federal match of $750,000. Staff said the city currently has $750,000 identified in the economic development fund as a potential match and can front pre-award costs; those pre-award expenses may be reimbursable once the grant is fully obligated. Staff cautioned that federal and programmatic risks remain and that the city is in a pre-award authority stage.

The motion to recommend applying for the Downtown Transportation Fund grant was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the subsequent motion to adopt the municipal resolution to accompany the application also passed unanimously. Staff said they would circulate the resolution for signatures from the majority of the city council and the planning commission chair.

Councilors and commissioners discussed timing and risk. Several members urged continuing the design work so the city is ready if grant funding is confirmed, while noting the city must manage the risk that full implementation funds could be affected by broader federal funding changes.

The action advances the city’s effort to obligate federal funds for downtown transportation improvements and to position the Connected Junction elements for implementation should federal support be restored.","Council and planning commission voted to recommend applying for a Downtown Transportation Fund grant to advance multilevel train and bus station improvements and unanimously adopted the municipal resolution to support the application.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345257,"Connected Junction TOD master plan on hold amid federal funding uncertainty",498,131000,629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51&start=131&end=629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/6345257/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Connected-Junction-TOD-master-plan-on-hold-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345257-b3acf8ffb83fb3613dd54fe94f6716e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773141850&Signature=U1omgcHbjc1zkT0uPn7E39E4khSdRywGJtVkXUwC-I7M8zqx4VN36zy58pSghAjltri9cbFaWZnjnNY84rGkzmBy8d~V7Hxta2ECYZ6MZi1XF~KKGrZn9laqUMTjvZ~akZ7P8vvOxKqYC6jWgmgLZWN5qO68dQVjEjmFVZ58xUm9K9PxCEOiHjNt6cR0SxS963P0NameyQ91j6VyKf6osr~xfgMYwhMCh-TVqKWPCrHcmQ7hO3cv~n-ozy-~hONWpecT5TM9NasKRnD6J~DHUoGyHcsPQpywal-ah2pcZ2y-m4Y1t~SS5f3G9mGTA0CEbw0WAPyLVzNVzPUyImsCaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff updated the Planning Commission and City Council that the Connected Junction transit-oriented development (TOD) master plan remains paused because of federal funding uncertainty tied to an Office of Management and Budget notice and subsequent legal and administrative questions.

Staff said the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) served as project manager and that the pause began after a federal instruction to stop disbursements to several grants; that OMB guidance was later rescinded but the status of discretionary grant obligations remains unclear. Staff said a consultant had produced a “big ideas” chapter of the draft plan but that the full draft plan was not yet available to the city. If federal funding does not resume, staff said the city could request the consultant deliver the work completed so far and consider finishing the plan in-house.

Councilors asked whether the city could front money now and be reimbursed by CCRPC if grant funds are restored. Staff said invoices for work through the pre-award stop date are likely eligible for reimbursement under pre-award authority and that they would try to assemble cost and invoice information quickly. Staff committed to provide an estimate of what it would take to finish the plan and to incorporate that number into materials for upcoming meetings.

Speakers emphasized the project’s intended role: the TOD master plan is a policy document designed to guide zoning updates (including land development code amendments), capital investment priorities and future comprehensive-plan work. Commissioners asked staff to prepare cost estimates and a schedule in time for the next regular meeting so the council can consider whether to allocate local funds or wait for federal clarification.","City staff told the council and planning commission the transit-oriented development (Connected Junction) master plan is paused because of federal funding uncertainties; commissioners asked staff to obtain invoices and cost estimates and said the city might finish the work in-house if necessary.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345261,"Essex Junction delays major changes to sandwich-board rules, keeps warned LDC language",3644,718000,4362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51&start=718&end=4362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249449-4d6e02fedd4111c7cfd21b76df63df51/thumbnail_718000.jpg","/articles/6345261/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Essex-Junction-delays-major-changes-to-sandwich-board-rules-keeps-warned-LDC-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345261-546fada194042dd1ac33c28f50592f85/orig.mp4?Expires=1773141850&Signature=oTRV3bv2QekzYl8RdtyLFRkM5s9grQUuaKmzsDxZQZcatoHoQrW~kAFgJLp2bDuD5Ynm8WPIPsvm0E43pCGe9SG1movtppsCKyKUICivB1amuCHHtnEDS~PpD4RRBYnCuBhmdqPNrCiJBMdJsxrNArs7q2okoKkh4LJ6E2SawuGtCB6YmPM3BpwrAjHcNmDBoB38xf7bu2cyVjxUe9QwycLA9J-fmnj7q~c5GYFzq-z-N1NRpM-qmK~7qF00dOZX7ngeBP9IulQLfLdOrZrT4b3bCZPJsMvgzNJrGleNWYTXEOFlrxNqrE3i~-dV20tDiUDktFo3xnkZKg6dH~VzRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Essex Junction City Council and the Planning Commission discussed proposed changes to the city’s land development code (LDC) on sandwich-board signs and agreed to leave the currently warned LDC language in place while staff does more research and outreach.

The meeting reviewed differences between the planning commission’s November 2024 draft and the version being prepared for a council public hearing. The main points under discussion included the existing 15-foot limit from a business entrance, a planning commission proposal to measure 15 feet from a business driveway or walkway instead, a 12-foot spacing rule between boards, and an exemption for signs placed on publicly owned property for public notices. Several members said the driveway/walkway language and the removal of the public-notice exemption had not been fully vetted with affected businesses.

Council and commission members raised enforcement and equity concerns, noting that the city has inconsistent enforcement of the sign rules. Several speakers urged a transition period and suggested using the city’s economic-development resources to help small businesses adapt — including microgrants or a temporary allowance while property owners change permanent signage. Members also proposed more education and volunteer-led outreach instead of immediate punitive enforcement.

Participants asked staff to research specific points: whether the city can define “open hours” in a way that is administrable and content-neutral, whether signs on private landlord-owned lots should be treated differently, and how exemptions for nonprofits or places of worship intersect with content-neutrality rules. Staff said these issues will require legal and practical review before any additional LDC changes are advanced.

After extended discussion the groups did not adopt new code language. Instead, council members signaled consensus to leave the currently warned LDC amendments as-is for the upcoming public hearing, while directing staff to do follow-up research, expand outreach and return with clarifying language or implementation options. Members said they expect further public engagement, possible transition or incentive options for businesses, and additional work on enforcement approach and definitions in future LDC tranches.","City council and the planning commission debated proposed land development code changes on portable “sandwich” signs and agreed to leave the warned LDC language in place while staff pursues more research, outreach and potential transition supports for businesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Essex Junction begins planning timeline for updated comprehensive plan; housing, land use and energy prioritized

Essex Junction approves applying for Downtown Transportation Fund and adopts municipal resolution

Connected Junction TOD master plan on hold amid federal funding uncertainty

Essex Junction delays major changes to sandwich-board rules, keeps warned LDC language