In early 2024, Jericho applied for and received a Bylaw Modernization Grant (BMG) from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Funding from this grant program is for municipalities for land use, development, and zoning bylaw updates in support of a pedestrian-oriented development pattern that increase housing choice, affordability, and opportunity in areas planned in accordance with Vermont’s smart growth principles (24 V.S.A. §2791). This funding is intended to help municipalities confront the State’s housing shortage and ready areas for new housing investments.
Throughout 2024, the Planning Commission (PC) will be working with David White from Sterling Mountain Community Planning and Design to review the Village Center (VCTR) zoning and Character Based Zone (CBZ) bylaws and identify areas for amendments. The Enabling Better Places document published by the DHCD will be used as a guide for the zoning amendments.
Proposed changes simplify an existing form-based code in the Riverside Village Center, align with the Town Plan, and establish regulations appropriate for an area serviced by a future municipal wastewater system in Riverside.
The amendments address five topics:
1. Dimensional Standards – lot sizes, lot coverage, building setbacks and height, number of principal buildings on a lot, non-conforming conditions, required architectural treatments, and character-based frontage requirements;
2. Parking –number of on-site parking spaces, on street parking, and location of parking that can reduce costs and are appropriate for walkable neighborhoods.
3. Allowable Uses – reduce restrictions for housing, contemporary definition of family composition, and reduce unnecessary subdivision of land to support diverse uses and barriers to housing.
4. Street Standards – Allow on-street parking, public realm standards, reduce lane widths, and implement complete-street principles to create streets that support more intense land use and walking, biking, and driving; and,
5. Development Review Processes – Reduce requirements for conditional use approval and discretionary site plan review, simplify requirements for small-scale development, allow limited deviations from certain zoning standards, avoid overreliance on PUD reviews, and make staff responsible for site plan review – all updates that can reduce costs and time associated with permitting housing.
In early 2024, Jericho applied for and received a Bylaw Modernization Grant (BMG) from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Funding from this grant program is for municipalities for land use, development, and zoning bylaw updates in support of a pedestrian-oriented development pattern that increase housing choice, affordability, and opportunity in areas planned in accordance with Vermont’s smart growth principles (24 V.S.A. §2791). This funding is intended to help municipalities confront the State’s housing shortage and ready areas for new housing investments.
Throughout 2024, the Planning Commission (PC) will be working with David White from Sterling Mountain Community Planning and Design to review the Village Center (VCTR) zoning and Character Based Zone (CBZ) bylaws and identify areas for amendments. The Enabling Better Places document published by the DHCD will be used as a guide for the zoning amendments.
Proposed changes simplify an existing form-based code in the Riverside Village Center, align with the Town Plan, and establish regulations appropriate for an area serviced by a future municipal wastewater system in Riverside.
The amendments address five topics:
1. Dimensional Standards – lot sizes, lot coverage, building setbacks and height, number of principal buildings on a lot, non-conforming conditions, required architectural treatments, and character-based frontage requirements;
2. Parking –number of on-site parking spaces, on street parking, and location of parking that can reduce costs and are appropriate for walkable neighborhoods.
3. Allowable Uses – reduce restrictions for housing, contemporary definition of family composition, and reduce unnecessary subdivision of land to support diverse uses and barriers to housing.
4. Street Standards – Allow on-street parking, public realm standards, reduce lane widths, and implement complete-street principles to create streets that support more intense land use and walking, biking, and driving; and,
5. Development Review Processes – Reduce requirements for conditional use approval and discretionary site plan review, simplify requirements for small-scale development, allow limited deviations from certain zoning standards, avoid overreliance on PUD reviews, and make staff responsible for site plan review – all updates that can reduce costs and time associated with permitting housing.
On May 20th the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Village Center Zoning Updates (Bylaw Modernization Grant) and voted to move the proposed zoning changes to the Selectboard for consideration. The Selectboard will hold its public hearing on June 26, 2025.
The Jericho Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Jericho Town Hall, 67 VT Route 15, Jericho, Vermont, to hear public comment regarding proposed amendments to the Jericho Land Use and Development Regulations.
Click on the image above to view the presentation that includes background information and discussion points on updates to the Village Center Zone focusing on dimensions and uses.
Click on the image above to view the presentation that includes background information and discussion points on updates to the Village Center Zone focusing on dimensions and uses. Minutes from discussion at this meeting are posted here.
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
David White from Sterling Mountain Planning presented an overview of the Village Center and Character Based zoning and discussed the type of zoning updates the PC will be considering.
VCTR Zoning Audit
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
Town Planner and consultant will review zoning regulations in the Village Center (VCTR) district and compare to recommendations from Enabling Better Places guide published by the state of Vermont.
Character Based zoning review
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
Town Planner and consultant will review zoning regulations in the Riverside Character Based Zone and identify recommendations for amendments.
Stakeholder engagement
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
Town Planner and consultant will reach out to key stakeholders and solicit their feedback on recommendations that align with state planning goals.
Overview of zoning amendment recommendations
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
Discussion with the Planning Commission highlighting the results of the zoning audit and Character Based Zone review and identifying recommended changes.
Preview of zoning change recommendations
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
More detailed discussion with the Planning Commission about zoning change recommendations
Presentation of initial changes
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
Consultant will present to the Planning Commission a draft of proposed text for changes to the zoning bylaws for discussion.
Final review of proposed changes
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
Consultant will present to the Planning Commission the final version of proposed changes to the text of the zoning bylaws for approval.
Planning Commission hearing
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates has finished this stage
The Jericho Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Jericho Town Hall, 67 VT Route 15, Jericho, Vermont, to hear public comment regarding proposed amendments to the Jericho Land Use and Development Regulations.
Selectboard Public Hearing
2024 Village Center Zoning Updates is currently at this stage
The Jericho Selectboard will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the Jericho Town Hall, 67 VT Route 15, Jericho, Vermont, to hear public comment regarding proposed amendments to the Jericho Land Use and Development Regulations.
Selectboard Adopts Amended Zoning
this is an upcoming stage for 2024 Village Center Zoning Updates
The Selectboard will adopt the amended zoning bylaws and they will become the new regulations.