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Vergennes council adopts rule barring ground‑floor housing along Main Street
Summary
The Vergennes City Council on July 9 adopted an amendment to Section 1612.3 of the zoning regulations prohibiting ground‑floor residential units within 150 feet of the edge of the public right of way of Main Street/Route 22A; the measure passed 6‑0 and takes effect 21 days after adoption.
The Vergennes City Council voted 6‑0 on July 9 to adopt an amendment to the city’s Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, Section 1612.3, that prohibits ground‑floor residential uses in buildings located within 150 feet of the edge of the public right of way of Main Street/Route 22A.
At a 6:00 p.m. time‑certain public hearing, Shannon Haggett provided a brief overview of the proposed change; no members of the public asked questions during the hearing and Mayor Bearor closed the hearing at 6:03 p.m. The adopted wording reads in part: “Ground floor residential is not allowed in this district in buildings within 150 feet of the edge of the public right of way of Main Street/Route 22A.” The council’s adoption will become effective 21 days after passage.
Supporters said the restriction is intended to preserve downtown street‑level retail and pedestrian activity. The council recorded the vote as 6 in favor, 0 opposed. The change will apply to development projects in the affected downtown corridor; property owners and developers will need to follow the revised rule when proposing ground‑floor uses.
The council did not record any motions or amendments to the text during the hearing. Implementation questions — including how the rule will be applied to mixed‑use redevelopment projects and existing buildings — were not resolved at the meeting and would be handled through city staff review under the updated regulation.
