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Winooski pauses work on replacement-unit requirement, seeks more data from equitable housing assessment
Summary
Staff and the planning commission paused work on a rule that would require replacement of larger dwelling units on redevelopment; the city said it lacks reliable data on unit-size losses and will rely on an ongoing equitable housing needs assessment for guidance.
Winooski planners and the council put discussions on hold about requiring developers to replace larger dwelling units when redeveloping properties, citing limited data and concern about unintended effects on housing supply.
Planning staff reported they found few local examples of larger units being subdivided in recent years and could not identify a clear trend of losing family-sized units. The staff memo noted that no other municipality had an identical regulation and that the city’s housing-needs evidence is currently insufficient to quantify how many larger (three-bedroom-plus) units are being lost or are needed. The planning commission paused deliberations to await more robust data.
Jasmine, who the city identified as leading the equitable housing needs assessment, and UVM’s Center for Rural Studies are collecting phase-1 data now. Staff said phase-2 work is likely in late spring or early summer and that the full assessment may extend into 2026; the project timeline may require a grant extension. Councilors also noted the city’s inclusionary-zoning work, pursuit of the Armory property for possible family housing, and limits on municipal tools such as tax-abatement authority without state or charter changes.
Councilors expressed differing views: some urged caution and the need for data before imposing new requirements that could slow housing development; others said even a handful of projects in a small city like Winooski could represent a meaningful loss of family-sized units and urged quicker action.
Staff and the planning commission will return to council with findings from the equitable housing needs assessment and additional data that better quantify unit-size changes and inform any future regulatory proposals.
Ending: The city will continue inclusionary zoning work and pursue other paths (including public subsidy and partnerships with Champlain Housing Trust) to create or preserve affordable family-sized housing while the needs assessment proceeds.
