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Jericho resident tells CCRPC exclusionary zoning fuels countywide inequality
Summary
During public comment, Jericho resident Chuck Lacy urged the commission to confront exclusionary zoning in Chittenden County, citing municipal bans on multifamily housing, HOA restrictions and school English‑learner disparities as evidence of intentionally maintained income segregation.
Chuck Lacy of Jericho used the public‑comment period at the start of the July 15 meeting to press the CCRPC to confront what he called exclusionary zoning practices across Chittenden County.
Lacy said the commission’s role in encouraging and approving town plans contributes to a pattern of municipal land‑use rules that exclude multifamily and more affordable housing. He compared the region to other metropolitan suburbs and said there is no organic reason for the concentrated wealth in towns surrounding Burlington.
Lacy pointed to disparities in school English‑learner counts in the written materials he referenced: he said Burlington (about 3,200 students) had roughly 500 students receiving English‑language services while neighboring districts of similar size reported far fewer. He also alleged that Jericho bans condominiums on “87% of its land area” and that recent new housing in Jericho sold at very high prices — he cited a 2025 new‑home average price of about $963,000 and a Vermont Housing Finance Agency figure that a buyer would need an annual income of roughly $322,000 to purchase such a home.
Lacy urged the commission to translate commitments in the Ecos plan into real action on equity and housing targets. His remarks were part of the public‑comment period; the board did not take immediate action on his points during the meeting.
