Interim zoning change proposed to remove 24-foot minimum at Country Club Road to accommodate Turtle Island classrooms

The planning staff told the Montpelier Planning Commission on Tuesday that an interim zoning amendment on the City Council agenda would remove a minimum 24-foot height requirement in the urban residential designation applied to the Country Club Road site. The change is proposed to allow Turtle Island to occupy modular/yurt-style classroom buildings that do not meet the 24-foot minimum.

Staff said Turtle Island has changed plans to locate more programming in Montpelier rather than splitting facilities with Worcester and needs short-term accommodations that would be shorter than the existing 24-foot minimum. Staff described the buildings as modular or “yurt‑like” structures and said the amendment was added to the already‑warned interim zoning changes so the group can move forward on a lease and internal modifications with the goal of opening in September.

The staff presentation clarified that the interim zoning item has been warned for the City Council’s July 9 meeting and that the council can accept, reject or modify the proposal. Staff emphasized that the commission will consider permanent zoning decisions on the site later and that these interim changes are intended to permit a short‑term accommodation while longer-term review proceeds.

Commission members asked timing questions and whether the proposal originated from the planning department; staff said the change was put on the interim list at Turtle Island’s request and that the council appears inclined to accommodate the group’s need. No formal commission vote on the interim zoning change occurred at the meeting; staff reported the item is on the council’s agenda for the warned public hearing.