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Winooski holds public hearing on voter-backed 'just cause' charter change as landlords press for details
Summary
The Winooski City Council opened a public hearing on a voter-backed charter amendment to restrict no-cause evictions. Residents and landlords raised questions about timing, enforcement, rent impacts and definitions; the measure still requires legislative approval and later ordinance drafting.
The Winooski City Council opened a public hearing Monday on a voter-backed charter change that would limit ‘‘no-cause’’ evictions and require a later ordinance if the state legislature approves the change.
Supporters brought the petition to the ballot through a resident-organized campaign; council staff said the state legislature must still act before any local ordinance can be developed.
‘‘This is the first of two public hearings that we’ll be holding on this voter-backed charter change,’’ Jenny (staff member) said, opening the hearing and noting a second hearing scheduled for Feb. 3. She explained that, because of a prior administrative error, the petition must again follow the charter-change process with the legislature.
Landlords at the hearing said the charter language as drafted is broad and raised concerns about several implementation details that were not in the petition text. David Bean, who identified himself as a landlord and realtor in Winooski, asked how the process…
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