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Board approves modified driveway and garage at 508 Elm Street with DPW redesign condition
Summary
The Development Review Board approved a revised plan for a new garage and single driveway at 508 Elm Street, requiring the applicant to abandon the original curb cut and to submit a VTrans‑compliant driveway redesign for DPW review before permit issuance.
The Development Review Board approved a revised proposal for 508 Elm Street that eliminates a second curb cut and permits a relocated driveway and new garage, contingent on a redesigned curb cut that meets Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) standards and Montpelier Department of Public Works (DPW) requirements.
Meredith Crandall, zoning administrator, told the board the application was originally filed seeking two driveways. DPW staff subsequently advised that two curb cuts on Elm Street would not be supported for this parcel; instead DPW indicated they could support a redesign that placed the driveway directly across from the driveway on the opposite side of the street. Crandall said the relocation still required board approval because the new driveway spacing would be less than the minimum the zoning administrator can approve administratively.
The applicant (508 Elm Street) explained the change in approach: after DPW comments the applicant decided to abandon the plan for two driveways and to amend the application so the new driveway would be directly across from the opposite driveway. DPW confirmed to staff that the proposed location is acceptable in principle but that final DPW permit issuance will require detailed curb‑cut design demonstrating compliance with VTrans standards.
The board moved to approve the application Z‑2025‑0062 as amended, with two express conditions: 1) the applicant must abandon the original southern curb cut on the frontage, and 2) the applicant must redesign the new driveway to comply with VTrans standards and submit the redesign to the zoning administrator before DPW issues a construction/access permit; zoning staff may administratively amend the zoning permit if the redesign is not a material change from the board approval.
Board member Joe Kiernan made the motion; Catherine Burgess seconded. The motion passed unanimously with Kiernan, Burgess, Brian Jones and Chair Kevin O'Connell voting yes.
Why it matters: DPW’s input changed the application’s configuration from two curb cuts to a single relocated driveway; the board’s conditions require the applicant to secure a DPW‑acceptable curb‑cut design and to abandon the prior curb cut before final municipal approvals proceed.
