[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6329959,"mediaKeyId","2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab","parentId",2315292,"title","Council, planning commission plot comprehensive plan update; council approves downtown transportation grant application","audioSeconds",381,"startMs",6646000,"endMs",7027000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab&start=6646&end=7027","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab/thumbnail_6646000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329959/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-planning-commission-plot-comprehensive-plan-update-council-approves-downtown-transportation-grant-application","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329959-88e267c755e5cb6f2e55d41e4d73013f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776494075&Signature=BuzoTlEklxA6oLTirLLYRPBHmPSTD7v0DGWYKDu76EMAa0oZ0wRPrzU3biKrdK6HgpCYlSxz1uNEVqLVNSGTfTNjaKCFCKQ1si5vdQVy3mV-6~mXveFTEaIAKcmwn2mbJAR64GaDdjv55o5jPZrBtRJeirThBQxH69p76AZ9244XNThcQJMwQ7fkwMnV0cqpkz0YrrLDd7WJSGrDkoKecn8vNxsm3wB-las6uvih6B7eEMjRlypJbNMn~ey04kieYuK0eoVlQ4sAItF7No3Pj4tARpNIq2IatHaByV-Ha3Dx~L~dIkjYKOgGaxLbFAs3-xKY59aQW~Us5RU1C0Dh-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Essex Junction City, VT","date","2025-02-13T21:37:23Z","article","The joint meeting focused on two interlocking planning items: a multi-year update to the municipal comprehensive plan and a decision to apply for downtown transportation funding for a multimodal train-and-bus station improvement project.

Comprehensive plan update: City planning staff described required elements of a comprehensive plan and suggested five priority topics the update should focus on: housing, the future land-use map, an energy plan, economic development, and transportation/connectivity. Staff noted the existing plan expires in August 2027 and that a municipal planning grant would expand public engagement capacity; the draft FY26 budget currently included $10,000 for technical assistance but staff said the grant would be important to fund broader outreach and analysis.

Staff described housing targets from state and regional guidance: the state-level housing needs assessment and regional targets will translate into municipal housing targets; staff said municipalities in the county could be asked to plan for roughly 100–200 new units per year depending on allocations from the regional plan. Members emphasized the need to start work now to avoid a late-cycle rush and suggested forming volunteer working groups and subcommittees (economic development, energy, human services) to feed the process. Several members stressed that energy and climate-adaptation guidelines from state agencies are expected soon and should be integrated into the comprehensive-plan update.

Downtown transportation grant and Amtrak station: Staff also sought formal support to apply for a downtown transportation fund grant to progress engineering and design for a multimodal train-and-bus station. The staff presentation said a federal appropriation tied to the larger project totals about $3,000,000 but requires a $750,000 non-federal match to obligate the full federal amount. Staff said the city could front pre-award consultant work using its economic-development fund and that, if the city obtains the downtown transportation fund award, those local funds could be used as the required non-federal match or be reimbursed per program rules.

Council action: The planning commission recommended applying for the downtown transportation fund grant. The council then voted to adopt the municipal resolution required by the downtown transportation fund application process. Both motions were made and seconded during the meeting; the council recorded the motions as carried and the municipal-resolution vote as passed unanimously in the meeting minutes. The transcript did not include an itemized roll-call tally.

Ending: Staff said they would circulate the municipal-resolution form for signatures (council majority and planning commission chair) and that they would continue work on grant procurement and on a timeline for the comprehensive-plan update, including pursuing municipal planning grants to expand staffing and engagement capacity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Essex Junction Planning Commission and City Council - 2/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members outlined priorities for a comprehensive plan update to meet an August 2027 expiration, and the bodies voted to apply for a downtown transportation fund grant to advance Amtrak station and multimodal improvements, adopting a municipal resolution requested by the grant program.","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},6329963,"Long debate over sandwich-board rules highlights enforcement and economic support concerns",3726,721000,4447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab&start=721&end=4447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab/thumbnail_721000.jpg","/articles/6329963/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Long-debate-over-sandwich-board-rules-highlights-enforcement-and-economic-support-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329963-96ec56c1b64e8640794da6ab55ae91fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776494075&Signature=E1K8~wodVxAVfuFuYuqseSVeHPykwK3fQet9PvCBkf1D6BMPJEpm9nDmAgfU0g~S7TzsJtISphaA8p5UpnN4vB4FMTzZUMC75q2Sh6Rp~Z9XoKN~Th3rlj3PbXSsxhiGjUCieoIzl5Y~okHkxnsQvVQFT3WW6oOwPAg2A20~ac-ZhY43~UyscRyRbBZkN09R~Vc4VfCl95XPl4heNy37GPCBb3OmHKEr-PeWqnPd4VYx0uyXTlLTa2lpiJTvSrvtb9-MpbFDZzBBgucefUvcQRJfh2RbIbiwdfQFz9cnnXYWWuBa38S8ksI2ExFKPdv74aMoPVKYfPP3rXjE4a4YDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Essex Junction City Council and Planning Commission members spent more than an hour debating proposed changes to sandwich-board signage rules in the Land Development Code, focusing on enforcement, how to define “open” hours, and whether the city should provide financial or programmatic help to businesses that would be affected.

Why it matters: sandwich-board rules affect dozens of small businesses’ visibility and pedestrian space in commercial corridors such as Pearl Street and Five Corners. Members said the rules also touch on free-speech and content-neutrality constraints, enforcement capacity, and downtown aesthetics.

Key points from the discussion:

- Proposed changes: The planning commission had recommended amendments that would keep size limits but clarify spacing (no closer than 12 feet between sandwich boards) and allow sandwich boards up to 15 feet from a business entrance, driveway or walkway. The city council’s version removed the driveway/walkway provision and added an explicit exemption for signs on publicly owned property that are public notices.

- Enforcement and consistency: Multiple members raised concerns about inconsistent enforcement and limited staff capacity. “If we can’t be consistent, then we shouldn’t have it on the books,” one council member said, noting that uneven enforcement has created confusion and perceived unfairness among businesses.

- Hours and definition of “open”: Members asked staff to draft a clearer definition of when a business is “open” for purposes of allowing sandwich-board placement. Several suggested that definition belong in a future tranche of land development code amendments or possibly in a standalone ordinance.

- Equity for businesses: Several members urged transition assistance for businesses and property owners—ideas included a time-limited sunset, microgrants or partial cost-sharing to help landowners adapt signs or consolidate signage. One council member proposed a one- to two-year transition period with assistance from an economic-development fund.

- Nonprofit and content-neutrality limits: Staff reminded members they cannot lawfully exempt particular categories (for example, nonprofits) from sign rules in a way that violates content neutrality. Members also discussed complex cases — such as the VFW sign and off-site advertising — where zoning, property ownership and content neutrality make regulation difficult.

- Next steps: The groups agreed to leave the Land Development Code (LDC) text as previously warned and to direct staff to do further research on definitions (open/closed), enforcement approaches, and potential economic-assistance mechanisms. Several members asked staff to pursue outreach and education prior to enforcement steps.

Ending: The bodies did not adopt immediate changes. Instead, they asked staff to prepare clarifications and options (including possible sunset language and education/outreach plans) for future LDC amendment consideration and public hearings.","City and planning commission members debated proposed changes to sandwich-board regulations in the Land Development Code, discussing enforcement, business needs, content-neutrality limits, a possible sunset period, and economic-development assistance for affected property owners.",{"_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},6329967,"Connected Junction TOD project remains paused amid federal funding uncertainty",773,128000,901000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab&start=128&end=901","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315292-ae6511451343d1a3dbf2ece0a5ba74ab/thumbnail_128000.jpg","/articles/6329967/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Connected-Junction-TOD-project-remains-paused-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329967-bdde34ca56c66be1ea66873a0d115a59/orig.mp4?Expires=1776494075&Signature=ml-Pam7lipC7OjdW75ULMVkp6LvhyMlsD--oe~4~AIzsnwX9V0ZyrxETbpuFpmsL1xTlCqKSFriGGttuR7fHeNIm8H~OTBwnIPowvC388lIjTckj6ye9M1novJscehlrw24phHiNk5fY6sfXQKuhP~C1asQ3tcHEBVpB2TyFzcGXePnut0f5LD4xNpsl~ztiCTxOJi6PN~b65BEPfRQC6EkbIWHk~5wS5F3Gv6XrSVeFuP7NJziZ0laaVWoNryvtXHr65ujMUFDbdf6m6qDkmw4v8iKPuYLyqVDjR4nf49-VsSVGaNxXl79UScOqXZJPDi1io~-t0OZ5wpmypXWQiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and planning commission members were told the Connected Junction Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) master plan remains on hold because of unresolved federal funding questions, and staff outlined options should federal support not resume.

The pause stems from a federal directive and subsequent legal uncertainty, said a staff member updating the joint meeting. “We were instructed to pause the project because of federal funding uncertainties,” the staff member said. The consultant had produced a “big ideas” chapter but the full draft plan was still in progress when work stopped.

Why it matters: the TOD master plan is intended to guide zoning, land development code amendments, capital-investment priorities and the city’s comprehensive plan. Officials said the work completed to date could influence future code changes and capital budgeting.

City staff and council members discussed next steps. Options included requesting from the regional project manager (the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission) the materials produced to date, bringing the consultant product in-house for further refinement, or budgeting city funds to finish the plan. One council member asked whether the RPC could later reimburse the city if the regional grant were restored; staff said the contracts and invoicing status were not fully clear but that work completed before the official stop date remained eligible for payment.

Officials also discussed timing and cost uncertainties. A staff member said they had received the consultant’s “big ideas” report (one chapter of the draft plan) but had not yet received the full draft; if funding did not resume the city could request what had been produced and consider completing the plan with internal staff or by budgeting for consultant completion. Council members asked staff to estimate completion costs if the city needed to finish the work and to add that estimate to budget discussions pending further clarity.

Members suggested scheduling a follow-up meeting in six to eight weeks so the bodies could review any new materials if the pause were lifted. The staff update noted the project affects multiple communities and that the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission had been acting as project manager for the federally funded effort.

Ending: Staff said they would obtain and summarize the current deliverables and try to produce a cost estimate for completing the plan if the city needed to assume that work. The bodies agreed to reconvene if the federal status changed or when more materials became available.","Officials said work on the Connected Junction Transit-Oriented Development master plan is paused because of unclear federal funding; city staff outlined options including taking the unfinished work in-house or using city funds to finish the plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council, planning commission plot comprehensive plan update; council approves downtown transportation grant application

Long debate over sandwich-board rules highlights enforcement and economic support concerns

Connected Junction TOD project remains paused amid federal funding uncertainty