Connected Junction TOD master plan on hold amid federal funding uncertainty

City planning staff updated the Planning Commission and City Council that the Connected Junction transit-oriented development (TOD) master plan remains paused because of federal funding uncertainty tied to an Office of Management and Budget notice and subsequent legal and administrative questions.

Staff said the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) served as project manager and that the pause began after a federal instruction to stop disbursements to several grants; that OMB guidance was later rescinded but the status of discretionary grant obligations remains unclear. Staff said a consultant had produced a “big ideas” chapter of the draft plan but that the full draft plan was not yet available to the city. If federal funding does not resume, staff said the city could request the consultant deliver the work completed so far and consider finishing the plan in-house.

Councilors asked whether the city could front money now and be reimbursed by CCRPC if grant funds are restored. Staff said invoices for work through the pre-award stop date are likely eligible for reimbursement under pre-award authority and that they would try to assemble cost and invoice information quickly. Staff committed to provide an estimate of what it would take to finish the plan and to incorporate that number into materials for upcoming meetings.

Speakers emphasized the project’s intended role: the TOD master plan is a policy document designed to guide zoning updates (including land development code amendments), capital investment priorities and future comprehensive-plan work. Commissioners asked staff to prepare cost estimates and a schedule in time for the next regular meeting so the council can consider whether to allocate local funds or wait for federal clarification.