On the agenda: South Burlington meeting — Data Center (Jul 14)

Planning Commission Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 7 PM
Members of the public may attend in person or digitally via Zoom.
Participation Options:

In Person: City Hall, 180 Market Street, Room 301
Interactive Online: https://zoom.us/j/99223441243
Phone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 99223441243
1. Welcome
Welcome and instructions on exiting the building in the event of an emergency
2. Agenda: Additions, deletions, or changes in order of agenda items
Documents:
AGENDA 02 MEMO 2026-07-14.PDF
3. Open to the public for items not related to the agenda
4. Announcements and staff report
5.

7:10 PM LDR Amendments: Updates to PC Reports
Documents:
LDR-26-03 FBC ZONING REPORT (AMENDED).PDF
LDR-26-06 ZPS AND COS REPORT (AMENDED).PDF
LDR-26-08 MINOR AND TECHNICAL REPORT (AMENDED).PDF

6.

7:25 PM Long-Term Care Facilities, Tweaks to Commercial Use Scales, and Mix of
Housing Types: Project Charge
Documents:
PROJECT CHARGE - LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY, SCALES OF
COMMERCIAL USES IN MSN 2026-07-08.PDF

7.

7:55 PM Landscaping Update: Project Charge
Documents:
PROJECT CHARGE - LANDSCAPING 2026-07-08.PDF

8.

8:20 PM Tier 1A Update: Historic Sites

9. Other Business

Documents:
PROJECT CHARGE - LANDSCAPING 2026-07-08.PDF
8.

8:20 PM Tier 1A Update: Historic Sites

9. Other Business
10. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted,

Kelsey Peterson, Senior City Planner
*item has attachments

MEMORANDUM
TO:

South Burlington Planning Commission

FROM:

Kelsey Peterson, Senior City Planner
Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning

SUBJECT: Planning Commission Meeting Memo
DATE:

For July 14, 2026 Planning Commission meeting

1. Welcome, instructions on exiting the building in the event of an emergency
2. Agenda: Additions, deletions, or changes in order of agenda items
3. Open to the public for items not related to the agenda
4. Announcements and staff report
Staff Report! Lots happening in the community!
•

The City hosted a grand opening of the two shared use path bridges connecting the core
of City Center to City Center Park, the Barrett Street neighborhood, the middle and high
schools, and beyond! Well attended and a gorgeous day!

•

The City Council received the proposed amendments to the LDRs and have warned a
public hearing for August 3rd. The Council emphasized their thanks to the Commission for
all your hard work.

•

The City Council also held a first reading and warned a public hearing on amendments to
the Impact Fee Ordinance to update the Transportation Impact Fee. The proposed
amendment updates the project list, fees, and importantly aligns to the recently-amended
LDR on transportation and TDM

•

The State Land Use Review Board will be holding their public hearing on the draft
Chittenden County Regional Plan on July 22nd. We anticipate the hearing to be concluded
and for the Board to then issue a decision within the following two weeks. Once the Plan
is approved, the City will automatically attain Act 250 Tier 1B status and assigned steps in
the new centers program as discussed at your last meeting and will be eligible to apply
for Tier 1A status and for Step 3 in City Center.

5. LDR Amendments: Updates to PC Reports

180 Market Street

South Burlington, VT 05403

tel 802.846.4106

fax 802.846.4101 www.sb vt.gov

After a few changes to the LDR Amendments advanced to the City Council on June 23, the
Planning Commission Reports on the Amendments need to be updated. The proposed changes
update the reports to reflect the changes made before the Commission approved the
amendments; there is no further policy change involved. In LDR-26-03 (HSMU to T4 Zoning
Change), the description was changed from “north” of Williston Road to “in the vicinity” of
Williston Road. In LDR-26-06, references to and description of Certificates of Occupancy for
single-family homes were removed. In LDR-26-08, description of changing the timing of
performance bonds was removed.
Planning Commission Action: Please review the attached Planning Commission Reports.
Proposed action is to approve the amended reports.
Potential Motion: I move to approve the Planning Commission Reports for LDR-26-03, LDR-26-06,
and LDR-26-08 as amended and attached to this packet.
6. Long-Term Care Facilities, Tweaks to Commercial Use Scales, and Mix of Housing Types:
Project Charge
This agenda item is the first discussion of potential amendments to the commercial uses
allowed in the MSN district, specifically the Long-Term Care Facility use and potential tweaks to
the scales of commercial uses allowed in the MSN district.
At this meeting, the Planning Commission should review and discuss the Project Charge drafted
by Staff that sets out the primary discussion topics for this review and sets the scope of the
discussion. In this, Staff has proposed to include a discussion of the requirements for variation
and diversity in building types and scales as a closely related discussion affecting the potential
outcome.
Planning Commission Action: Please review the attached draft Project Charge and be prepared
for discussion. Proposed action is to make any changes and approve the Project Charge.
7. Landscaping Update: Project Charge
Landscaping-related regulations and the landscape budget requirement in the LDRs are due for a
generational upgrade. The requirements for landscaping, streetscapes, parking lot design, civic
spaces/site amenities, and the associated landscaping budget have worked reasonably well for
many years, but now require an update. As development moves more from undeveloped sites to
redevelopment and infill on developed and partially developed sites and the cost of construction
increases, requiring the same amount ($) of landscaping on the site for a renovation as for a new
build doesn’t always result in effective use of space or funds. This project will include
reexamination of the landscaping requirements, landscape budget, the improvements that

2

landscape funds can be spent on, and the relationship between landscaping and good civic
spaces/site amenities. It also provides the opportunity to clarify what credit can and should be
given for retention of existing vegetation and specific trees when a site is developed or
redeveloped.
In addition, there are requirements currently in the Land Development Regulations that are more
suitable for inclusion in the Department of Public Works Specifications, and there are topics that
should be included in the LDRs that are not. This project is intended to improve the connection
between the DPW Specs and the LDRs, with the appropriate requirements in each and the
references cleaned up between the two. This particularly relates to street trees in the public
right-of-way, but may touch other closely related subjects.
Planning Commission Action: Please review the attached draft Project Charge and be prepared
for discussion. Proposed action is to make any changes and approve the Project Charge.
8. Tier 1A Update: Historic Sites
Staff has been working with the State Division of Historic Preservation and with our internal GIS
Analyst to generate a list of the historic structures in South Burlington and map them. This is
important for our Tier 1A application. The formatted map will be presented at the meeting on
Tuesday – we are tweaking some colors and symbols to make the map most understandable and
helpful to viewers.
Planning Commission Action: No action, this is primarily communication between Staff and the
Commission on the Tier 1A application.
9. Other Business
10. Adjourn

3

State of Vermont
Agency of Commerce &
Community Development
Department of Housing &
Community Development
Municipal Planning Commission
Municipal Bylaw Report
This form is issued pursuant to the Vermont Planning & Development Act and
subject to periodic change.
Last updated June 11, 2025
Contact:

Jacob Hemmerick, Community Planning & Policy Manager
[email protected] | 802.828.5249

Overview

Vermont’s Municipal & Regional Planning & Development Act (24 V.S.A. §4441)
requires a municipal planning commission to prepare a written report when considering
an amendment to a bylaw as well as an adoption report upon final action by the
legislative body or voters. This report addresses the necessary content for proposed
and adopted municipal bylaw submissions.
After completion of the prompts below, save the document and upload the report as a
PDF on the State’s Plan and Bylaw Intake Form. The bylaws are also submitted as a
PDF upload on the intake form. The final/adopted submission must include GIS
shapefiles for changes to zoning district boundaries of record on the Vermont Open
Geodata Portal. If you need assistance, please reach out to the contact above or your
municipality’s regional planning commission.
Submission of the intake form and written report serves as notification or final
submission to the Department of Housing and Community Development within the
Agency of Commerce and Community Development under 24 VSA §4414 (e) and (h).
The submitted written report and bylaws are public records published on the Vermont
Planning Data Center and Library. Bylaw submission supports transparency and the

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report
availability of Vermont’s proposed and adopted bylaws from a central digital source for
statewide access and use.

Bylaw Summary & Statement of Purpose

Provide a brief explanation of the bylaw and a statement of purpose (per 24 V.S.A.
§4441) as required for notice under 24 VSA §4444. Use as much space as needed.
LDR-26-03: Form-Based Code Zoning District

This bylaw expands the Form-Based Code (FBC) area to include property in the vicinity
of Williston Road, west of I-89 that is currently in the High-Scale Mixed-Use (HSMU)
district as T4. It is contiguous with existing T4 immediately fronting on Williston Road
and is currently the only small portion of HSMU in this area. This change makes it
consistent with the fronting property, resolves an issue of a divided property (in and out
of the FBC), and better meets the City's policy for this area very near the densest core
of the City.

Findings on Municipal Plan Furtherance

Explain how the bylaw conforms with or furthers the goals and policies contained in the
municipal plan. Use as much space as needed.
This bylaw amendment is consistent with and furthers the following Goals in City Plan 2024 and is consistent with
taking the following Actions from City Plan 2024:
Goal 2: Increase number of affordable housing units by 1,000 units by 2035, including 750 units affordable to
households earning up to 80% of AMI.
Goal 5: Pursue larger-scale redevelopment and infill along transit-served corridors, and smaller-scale strategic
reinvestment, thoughtful infill, redevelopment, and adaptive reuse within neighborhoods citywide
Goal 12: Invest in and grow a vibrant, mixed use, pedestrian-oriented City Center
Goal 28: Plan for compact high-density (greater than 12.5 dwelling units per acres) new housing development to
reduce emissions by 4%
Action 4: Implement a variety of regulatory tools and programs to preserve and increase the city’s supply of
affordable and moderate-income housing throughout the city, including but not limited to: form-based codes, bonuses
and incentives, waivers, expedited review processes, requiring minimum stories, increasing maximum height or
stories within City Center and along transportation corridors, smaller lot sizes, and promoting accessory dwelling
units
Action 10: Allow for well-designed, context-sensitive infill housing within existing established neighborhoods and
commercial areas
Action 26: Invest in housing and transportation infrastructure to attract and retain a high-quality workforce for South
Burlington businesses
Action 141: Continue to focus City resources on nimbly developing City Center as South Burlington’s downtown
Action 146: Evaluate and update form-based code and Land Development Regulations as needed to adapt over time

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

Findings on Safe & Affordable Housing

Explain the effect of the bylaw on the availability of safe and affordable housing. Use as
much space as needed.
Changing this property from HSMU to T4 allows for greater heights in an area very close
to a major transit corridor and GMT route (Williston Road/Main St), and close to large
employers and institutions like UVM and UVM-MC. This enables investment in and
construction of more housing units in an area that is centrally located and well-suited for
additional housing and housing that is easily accessible for walking, biking, rolling, and
transit commuting.

Findings on Required Provisions & Prohibited Effects

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4412. Use as much space as needed.
This amendment does not affect most subjects addressed by 24 VSA 4412. It does
allow for greater density of affordable and market rate housing because of increased
height and inclusion in the FBC that does not regulate by unit count at all. Overall, this
increases allowance for multi-family housing.

Check each box to confirm the bylaws conform with these provisions in 24
V.S.A. §4412 (as applicable):

 Mobile, modular and prefabricated housing
 Mobile home parks
 Duplex uses
 Multi-unit dwelling uses
 Accessory dwelling unit uses
 Residential care homes or group homes
 Hotels for emergency housing
 Existing small lots

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

 Required frontage
 Home occupations
 Childcare home or facility
 Heights of renewable energy structures
 Nonconformities
 Communications antennae and facilities
 Planting projects in flood hazards
 Accessory on-farm businesses
 Lot and dimensional standards for minimum dwelling unit
density
 Density for affordable housing
Findings on Limitations on Municipal Bylaws

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4413. Use as much space as needed.
The bylaw has no specific effect on the uses provided for in 24 VSA 4413, which would
apply in the same way it does elsewhere in the city.

Check each box to confirm the bylaws conform with these provisions in 24
V.S.A. §4413 (as applicable):

 State- or community-owned and -operated institutions and
facilities
 Public and private schools and other institutions
 Places of worship
 Public and private hospitals
 Regional solid waste management facilities
 Hazardous waste management facilities
 Emergency shelters
 Required agricultural practices

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

 Accepted silvicultural practices
 Solar energy devices
 Ancillary telecommunications improvements and lines
Findings on Permissible Types of Regulation

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4414. Use as much space as needed.
This amendment changes a zoning district boundary as allowed under 24 VSA 4414. It
also includes more land in our City-Center Form-Based Code district and encourages
better use of land consistent with the goals of 24 VSA 4414(1)(A).

Municipal Plan Future Land Uses & Density Compatibility

Explain how the bylaw is compatible with the proposed future land uses and densities of
the municipal plan.
This area is included in the "Balanced Mixed Residential-Commercial - High-Scale"
future land use category, which includes the land already zoned T4 fronting on Williston
Road. This change from HSMU to T4 is consistent with the future land use map and the
planned future uses and densities.

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

Planned Community Facilities

Explain how the bylaw carries out, as applicable, any specific proposals for any planned
community facilities.
This bylaw does not affect any specific proposals for community facilities.

Prepared By:

Name, title, and organization of person completing this form.
City of South Burlington Planning Commission
Thank you.

State of Vermont
Agency of Commerce &
Community Development
Department of Housing &
Community Development
Municipal Planning Commission
Municipal Bylaw Report
This form is issued pursuant to the Vermont Planning & Development Act and
subject to periodic change.
Last updated June 11, 2025
Contact:

Jacob Hemmerick, Community Planning & Policy Manager
[email protected] | 802.828.5249

Overview

Vermont’s Municipal & Regional Planning & Development Act (24 V.S.A. §4441)
requires a municipal planning commission to prepare a written report when considering
an amendment to a bylaw as well as an adoption report upon final action by the
legislative body or voters. This report addresses the necessary content for proposed
and adopted municipal bylaw submissions.
After completion of the prompts below, save the document and upload the report as a
PDF on the State’s Plan and Bylaw Intake Form. The bylaws are also submitted as a
PDF upload on the intake form. The final/adopted submission must include GIS
shapefiles for changes to zoning district boundaries of record on the Vermont Open
Geodata Portal. If you need assistance, please reach out to the contact above or your
municipality’s regional planning commission.
Submission of the intake form and written report serves as notification or final
submission to the Department of Housing and Community Development within the
Agency of Commerce and Community Development under 24 VSA §4414 (e) and (h).
The submitted written report and bylaws are public records published on the Vermont
Planning Data Center and Library. Bylaw submission supports transparency and the

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report
availability of Vermont’s proposed and adopted bylaws from a central digital source for
statewide access and use.

Bylaw Summary & Statement of Purpose

Provide a brief explanation of the bylaw and a statement of purpose (per 24 V.S.A.
§4441) as required for notice under 24 VSA §4444. Use as much space as needed.
LDR-26-06: Zoning Permit and Certificates of Occupancy Updates.

Eliminates zoning permit for interior renovations and facade material replacement that
involve no change of use, building expansions or modifications, or added bedrooms.

Findings on Municipal Plan Furtherance

Explain how the bylaw conforms with or furthers the goals and policies contained in the
municipal plan. Use as much space as needed.
This amendment adjusts permitting processes as the City continues to modernize. In
2025, the City adopted life safety code permitting requirements for owner-occupied
single family homes. With that, the zoning permit requirement for interior renovation was
found to be redundant.
The City Plan includes the following specific action:
Action 20: Streamline, simplify, and modernize permitting requirements and processes
to promote land use patterns and uses in this Plan

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

Findings on Safe & Affordable Housing

Explain the effect of the bylaw on the availability of safe and affordable housing. Use as
much space as needed.
These amendments will have no material effect on the availability of safe and affordable
housing. Life safety code permitting is in is place.

Findings on Required Provisions & Prohibited Effects

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4412. Use as much space as needed.
The amendment conforms with 24 VSA 4412; these are procedural amendments that
do not conflict with the referenced provisions.

Check each box to confirm the bylaws conform with these provisions in 24
V.S.A. §4412 (as applicable):

 Mobile, modular and prefabricated housing
 Mobile home parks
 Duplex uses
 Multi-unit dwelling uses
 Accessory dwelling unit uses
 Residential care homes or group homes
 Hotels for emergency housing
 Existing small lots

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

 Required frontage
 Home occupations
 Childcare home or facility
 Heights of renewable energy structures
 Nonconformities
 Communications antennae and facilities
 Planting projects in flood hazards
 Accessory on-farm businesses
 Lot and dimensional standards for minimum dwelling unit
density
 Density for affordable housing
Findings on Limitations on Municipal Bylaws

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4413. Use as much space as needed.
The amendment conforms with 24 VSA 4413; these are procedural amendments that
do not conflict with the referenced provisions.

Check each box to confirm the bylaws conform with these provisions in 24
V.S.A. §4413 (as applicable):

 State- or community-owned and -operated institutions and
facilities
 Public and private schools and other institutions
 Places of worship
 Public and private hospitals
 Regional solid waste management facilities
 Hazardous waste management facilities
 Emergency shelters
 Required agricultural practices

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

 Accepted silvicultural practices
 Solar energy devices
 Ancillary telecommunications improvements and lines
Findings on Permissible Types of Regulation

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4414. Use as much space as needed.
The amendment conforms with 24 VSA 4414; these are procedural amendments that
do not conflict with the referenced provisions.

Municipal Plan Future Land Uses & Density Compatibility

Explain how the bylaw is compatible with the proposed future land uses and densities of
the municipal plan.
The amendment has no effect on proposed future land uses and densities of the
municipal plan.

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

Planned Community Facilities

Explain how the bylaw carries out, as applicable, any specific proposals for any planned
community facilities.
The amendment has no effect on planned community facilities.

Prepared By:

Name, title, and organization of person completing this form.
South Burlington Planning Commission
Thank you.

State of Vermont
Agency of Commerce &
Community Development
Department of Housing &
Community Development
Municipal Planning Commission
Municipal Bylaw Report
This form is issued pursuant to the Vermont Planning & Development Act and
subject to periodic change.
Last updated June 11, 2025
Contact:

Jacob Hemmerick, Community Planning & Policy Manager
[email protected] | 802.828.5249

Overview

Vermont’s Municipal & Regional Planning & Development Act (24 V.S.A. §4441)
requires a municipal planning commission to prepare a written report when considering
an amendment to a bylaw as well as an adoption report upon final action by the
legislative body or voters. This report addresses the necessary content for proposed
and adopted municipal bylaw submissions.
After completion of the prompts below, save the document and upload the report as a
PDF on the State’s Plan and Bylaw Intake Form. The bylaws are also submitted as a
PDF upload on the intake form. The final/adopted submission must include GIS
shapefiles for changes to zoning district boundaries of record on the Vermont Open
Geodata Portal. If you need assistance, please reach out to the contact above or your
municipality’s regional planning commission.
Submission of the intake form and written report serves as notification or final
submission to the Department of Housing and Community Development within the
Agency of Commerce and Community Development under 24 VSA §4414 (e) and (h).
The submitted written report and bylaws are public records published on the Vermont
Planning Data Center and Library. Bylaw submission supports transparency and the

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report
availability of Vermont’s proposed and adopted bylaws from a central digital source for
statewide access and use.

Bylaw Summary & Statement of Purpose

Provide a brief explanation of the bylaw and a statement of purpose (per 24 V.S.A.
§4441) as required for notice under 24 VSA §4444. Use as much space as needed.
LDR-26-08 Minor and Technical Amendments
The amendment includes a series of minor and technical amendments which have limited
effect on development outcomes or which are mandated by State Statute. There are
technical amendments needed to the LDRs to correct typos, incorrect references,
formatting and numbering errors, and similar. There are also minor amendments that are
more substantial than the technical amendments, but are small amendments that help
the text of the amendments reflect the purpose and policy of the LDR section and/or
clarify the language.
The amendment updates reference errors throughout, correction of typos throughout,
updates to references to zoning districts, improved references between Article 8 and
Article 15A, update title of Article 11.C to "Traditional Neighborhood Development PUD
Building Types", update to required Level of Service for City Center, clarification of the
single-user complex, update to dimensional standards for townhouses, and similar
functional updates.

Findings on Municipal Plan Furtherance

Explain how the bylaw conforms with or furthers the goals and policies contained in the
municipal plan. Use as much space as needed.
The proposed amendments simplify, clarify, and streamline the LDRs. City Plan 2024
includes the following action specifically to this topic:
Action 20: Streamline, simplify, and modernize permitting requirements and processes
to promote land use patterns and uses in this Plan

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

Findings on Safe & Affordable Housing

Explain the effect of the bylaw on the availability of safe and affordable housing. Use as
much space as needed.
No specific changes affect safe and affordable housing directly. Cleaning up regulations
and clarifying the standards and references where necessary can help streamline the
regulatory process and make it clearer how to comply, encouraging more housing
development. The regulation of townhouses is changed to specifically allow smaller lots
or allocations of lots for individual units, and different numbers of attached units in
different zoning districts. This could potentially increase the ability to construct
townhouses, which can be a more naturally affordable housing type.

Findings on Required Provisions & Prohibited Effects

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4412. Use as much space as needed.
This amendment does not affect or prohibit mobile, modular, and prefabricated housing,
mobile home parks, residential care homes or group homes, hotels for emergency
housing, home occupations, childcare, planting projects in floor hazards, heights of
renewable energy structures, communications antennae and facilities, accessory
on-farm businesses, or lot and dimensional standards for minimum dwelling unit
density.

Check each box to confirm the bylaws conform with these provisions in 24
V.S.A. §4412 (as applicable):

 Mobile, modular and prefabricated housing
 Mobile home parks
 Duplex uses
 Multi-unit dwelling uses
 Accessory dwelling unit uses
 Residential care homes or group homes
 Hotels for emergency housing
 Existing small lots

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

 Required frontage
 Home occupations
 Childcare home or facility
 Heights of renewable energy structures
 Nonconformities
 Communications antennae and facilities
 Planting projects in flood hazards
 Accessory on-farm businesses
 Lot and dimensional standards for minimum dwelling unit
density
 Density for affordable housing
Findings on Limitations on Municipal Bylaws

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4413. Use as much space as needed.
The bylaw has no specific effect on the uses provided for in 24 VSA 4413.

Check each box to confirm the bylaws conform with these provisions in 24
V.S.A. §4413 (as applicable):

 State- or community-owned and -operated institutions and
facilities
 Public and private schools and other institutions
 Places of worship
 Public and private hospitals
 Regional solid waste management facilities
 Hazardous waste management facilities
 Emergency shelters
 Required agricultural practices

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

 Accepted silvicultural practices
 Solar energy devices
 Ancillary telecommunications improvements and lines
Findings on Permissible Types of Regulation

Explain how the bylaw conforms with 24 V.S.A. §4414. Use as much space as needed.
The proposed amendments are minor and technical in nature and have no effect on the
enabling statutes of 24 VSA 4414.

Municipal Plan Future Land Uses & Density Compatibility

Explain how the bylaw is compatible with the proposed future land uses and densities of
the municipal plan.
The proposed amendments are minor and technical in nature and have no effect on
future land uses or density, except as noted for regulation of townhouses.

Vermont Municipal Bylaw Report

Planned Community Facilities

Explain how the bylaw carries out, as applicable, any specific proposals for any planned
community facilities.
The proposed amendments are minor and technical in nature and have no effect on any
planned community facilities.

Prepared By:

Name, title, and organization of person completing this form.
City of South Burlington Planning Commission
Thank you.

South Burlington Planning Commission
180 Market Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.southburlingtonvt.gov

DRAFT PROJECT CHARGE
Project Title: Medium-Scale Neighborhood Commercial Uses – Long-Term Care
Facilities, Small Tweaks to Scale of Commercial Uses, and Variety of Building Types and
Scales
Project Description: The Planning Commission will consider three related topics: (1) if
and under what circumstances the commercial use “Long-Term Care Facility” should be
allowed in the Medium-Scale Neighborhood (MSN) zoning district outside the Transit
Overlay District; (2) if small tweaks to the allowed scales of commercial uses should be
made for the MSN; and (3) if regulations requiring variety in building types or scales
should be clarified or improved upon in LSN and MSN districts.
FY27 PP&S
Planning Commission FY27 Work Plan:
• Technical and Functional Updates - Continue technical and functional updates
to LDRs, e.g. updating specialized uses, rightsizing civic space requirements,
cleaning up interface between articles, consider size thresholds of commercial
uses and Long-Term Care facilities in the MSN, update LDRs as needed after
completion of other studies
City Plan 2024 Goals and Actions:
• Goals – 62
• Actions - 4, 20, 134, 146
Project Purpose, Scope, and Goals: This project will consider the needs of the MSN
district and how the district should be utilized to meet the City’s goals for residential and
commercial uses. This includes an examination of the compatibility and scale of longterm care facility as a use in the MSN (inside or outside the Transit Overlay District), the
balance of access to transit for users (employees, residents, and visitors), with the
general availability and access to this type of use in Chittenden County and Vermont.
This project also includes discussion of how to best support mixed-use and mixed-scale
neighborhoods within the MSN and in the larger LSN/MSN neighborhoods. The role of
the MSN areas adjacent to LSN areas, achieving housing variety and housing units
goals, and providing for a variety of neighborhood-scale and neighborhood-serving
commercial uses are all also important to determining what uses and what scale of use
best serves the district and the surrounding areas.

Committees Invited & Role:
Housing Committee - provide advisory feedback on any draft regulatory change
Initial Timeline
• July – August 2026: Topic review and discussion by Planning Commission
• August – October 2026: Drafting changes in LDR language
• Next Amendment Set after October 2026: Public Hearing on any proposed LDR
Consulting Required? No

2

South Burlington Planning Commission
180 Market Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.southburlingtonvt.gov

DRAFT PROJECT CHARGE
Project Title: Landscaping, Civic Space Regulations Review
Project Description: The Planning Commission will examine the landscaping-related
provisions in the Land Development Regulations and the relationship between those
regulations and the Department of Public Works Specifications. This includes
landscaping requirements, required landscaping budget amount and components,
landscaping in parking areas, and landscaping and street trees along streets and in the
public right of way.
FY27 PP&S
City Council FY27 PP&S:
• LDR: Updates - Development Related Landscaping Standards – Recurring
updates to land development regulations
o Review and rework landscaping requirements for development,
including: budget, specs, maintenance, bond/escrow release. This
includes considering effect on infill development. Prepare, warn, and
advance LDR updates.
Planning Commission FY27 Work Plan:
• Development-Related Landscaping Standards - Review and rework
landscaping requirements for development (e.g. budget, specs, maintenance,
bond/escrow release), considering effect on infill development; prepare, warn,
and advance LDR updates
City Plan 2024 Goals and Actions:
• Goals – 37, 72
• Actions - 20, 127, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136
Project Purpose, Scope, and Goals: The Land Development Regulations on landscaping
have not been significantly updated in decades and were originally adopted in a time of
more new commercial builds and greenfield development. South Burlington has
evolved since that time to where developments that occurred in that time are coming up
on generational refreshes and/or redevelopment. Additionally, the focus of new
development has shifted from developing new areas of the city to infill and
redevelopment of sites with existing buildings to promote walkability, appropriate

intensity of land use, and protection of natural resources in other areas. The regulatory
structure built for new, greenfield development is a sticking point for developers trying
to do redevelopment and infill, and for the DRB and Development Review staff trying to
make good infill and redevelopment projects permittable.
This project considers how to modernize the landscaping standards to accommodate
and account for infilled and redeveloped sites, sites that have been landscaped in
previous approvals and projects, and urban and urban-transitioning sites. The intention
is to make landscaping requirements and the allocation and use of landscaping funds
more effective in creating well-landscaped sites that are appropriately designed for their
context. This work will intersect with Civic Space and Site Amenity requirements,
including right-sizing in context, and with Department of Public Works specifications.
Topics to be considered include:
• Infill and redevelopment: how can landscaping regulations and budget produce
well-designed and effective landscaping and welcoming spaces on sites being
infilled or redeveloped?
• Landscaping budget: how much should be required and what is the structure of
required funding, what is allowed to be included, how funds are accounted for,
and a potential allowance for maintenance funds or similar other uses
• Definitions: refine and clarify applicable definitions
• Specimen trees and landscapes: clarifying credits toward landscaping budget and
requirements for retention of specific trees and/or areas of vegetation
• Relationship between landscaping regulations and Civic Space/Site Amenities
requirements: what is the overlap and how can landscaping budget improve
amenities? How could off-site improvements or payment into a fund be
incorporated?
• Department of Public Works Specifications: which regulations should be included
in the LDRs and which are technical specs for the DPW Specs, how can the
connection be clarified
• Related topics governing landscaping and plantings in private development
and/or the public right-of-way
Committees Invited & Role:
• NRCC – provide advisory feedback on any draft regulatory change
Initial Timeline
• July – September 2026: Topic review and discussion by Planning Commission
• October – November 2026: Drafting changes in LDR language
• Next Amendment Set after November 2026: Public Hearing on any proposed LDR
Consulting Required? No

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