The Future of the Commercial District

Zoning Update


The Planning Commission closed their public hearing on the draft Commercial District Zoning Regulations. They took no action on the draft zoning and will revisit the draft at a yet to be determined date.

The Planning Commission received an email from a Valleys Edge resident ahead of their October 8 meeting.


The Planning Commission received a written letter from Randy Clark at the September 8 pubic hearing for the draft zoning. Below is his letter with responses in RED from the PC chair.

They also received a letter from several Commerciale District land owners at the September 8 Hearing.


On June 16, 2020 the PC received a letter from Ned Dubois and several other Commercial district property owners. Below is that letter, a response to that letter from the PC chair as well as some associated email correspondence.

During the July 2 Selectboard meeting, the June 16 letter was discussed and Selectboard chair, Catherine McMains was read. That can be found in the Selectboard meeting beginning on line 49.

During the July 7 PC meeting an in person meeting was discussed. Below are the minutes with that conversation highlighted in yellow.

During their August 18 meeting, there was discussion with David Villenenuve about meeting on his property. Below are those minutes with the conversation highlighted in yellow. It involved scheduling a walk the of Commercial District to talk about future roads in the district. The meeting minutes are also below.


Some more background in the Project

The Planning Commission wrapped up the Commercial District Master Plan in August of 2019. We have this great document (click on the image on the right to view in its entirety) that explains What is next after the Master Plan. They revised the Master Plan Document in 2020 in response to community input. Click here to view the final Master Plan and supporting documents.

The Planning Commission finished their review of Town Plan amendments. The Town Plan was before the Selectboard for a public hearings on December 5 and January 2. The Selectboard approved the Town Plan changes on January 2. See more on the Town Plan amendments by clicking here.

This flow chart explains the Commercial District planning, including the CD project as well as future implementation steps moving forward.

This graphic illustrates the elements of the Master Plan vision and is what will shape changes to the Zoning Regulations as well as town policy related to the Commercial District moving forward.


Zoning Update


The Planning Commission closed their public hearing on the draft Commercial District Zoning Regulations. They took no action on the draft zoning and will revisit the draft at a yet to be determined date.

The Planning Commission received an email from a Valleys Edge resident ahead of their October 8 meeting.


The Planning Commission received a written letter from Randy Clark at the September 8 pubic hearing for the draft zoning. Below is his letter with responses in RED from the PC chair.

They also received a letter from several Commerciale District land owners at the September 8 Hearing.


On June 16, 2020 the PC received a letter from Ned Dubois and several other Commercial district property owners. Below is that letter, a response to that letter from the PC chair as well as some associated email correspondence.

During the July 2 Selectboard meeting, the June 16 letter was discussed and Selectboard chair, Catherine McMains was read. That can be found in the Selectboard meeting beginning on line 49.

During the July 7 PC meeting an in person meeting was discussed. Below are the minutes with that conversation highlighted in yellow.

During their August 18 meeting, there was discussion with David Villenenuve about meeting on his property. Below are those minutes with the conversation highlighted in yellow. It involved scheduling a walk the of Commercial District to talk about future roads in the district. The meeting minutes are also below.


Some more background in the Project

The Planning Commission wrapped up the Commercial District Master Plan in August of 2019. We have this great document (click on the image on the right to view in its entirety) that explains What is next after the Master Plan. They revised the Master Plan Document in 2020 in response to community input. Click here to view the final Master Plan and supporting documents.

The Planning Commission finished their review of Town Plan amendments. The Town Plan was before the Selectboard for a public hearings on December 5 and January 2. The Selectboard approved the Town Plan changes on January 2. See more on the Town Plan amendments by clicking here.

This flow chart explains the Commercial District planning, including the CD project as well as future implementation steps moving forward.

This graphic illustrates the elements of the Master Plan vision and is what will shape changes to the Zoning Regulations as well as town policy related to the Commercial District moving forward.


  • Join us for a Workshop

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  • Tell me More about the CD Project!

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    The Planning Commission has come up with a summary of the Commercial District project to date.

    We're not done yet and we will soon be asking for your input. Mark March 26th from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in your calanders for our coummunity workshop at the MMU library.

    You can view and download the full summary by clicking on the image.

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  • Details about the Commercial District Project

    The Commercial District of Jericho is located along Route 15 where Jeri-Hill Ace Hardware, Mountain High Pizza, and Autosmith are. The area is called the Commercial District because for many years the town planners thought that the central location along Route 15 would attract lots of businesses.

    Some businesses have located there, but there are also many houses. There are still several acres of undeveloped open land along Route 15 between Raceway and the new light at Browns Trace.

    The Town wants to take a fresh look at this area. The Town received a grant and hired a land use consultant to study the Commercial District, to understand the potential for the area to be further developed.

    The consultant is responsible to deliver a “Master Plan” which will illustrate the community’s desired buildout for the Commercial District. The consultant will help the town to look at various scenarios and to consider zoning changes.

    The consultant started the project by working with several landowners to understand their intentions to develop their land in the Commercial District and how that development would fit within the existing Town Plan and zoning regulations. The consultant and the Planning Commission will review a first draft of a Master Plan in early 2019. Then, the consultant and the Planning Commission will hold a series of workshops and public meetings to hear what Jericho residents think and feel about the long-term vision and potential for the Commercial District.

    The Planning Commission’s goal for 2019 is to create a Master Plan for the Commercial District that shows a community-wide vision for the future and to develop zoning updates which would implement that vision.

    Some questions for residents to think about for the Commercial District are:

    · How much development would most residents hope to see in this area?

    · What type of development would most residents hope to see in this area?

    o Is this a good spot for new neighborhoods, business parks, or farms?

    o What else could we envision here?

    · How can we protect the Mt Mansfield views?

    · How should future development in this Route 15 Commercial District area look and function, compared to development in Jericho’s Village Centers?

    o The Commercial District is one of four areas zoned for growth and “mixed use” (businesses and residences in the same area). The other areas zoned for growth and mixed use are the three Village Centers – Riverside (where the Jericho Market is, aka the Flats), Jericho Corners (where Joe’s is), and Jericho Center (where the Country Store is).

    o The three Villages’ zoning requires walkable small-scale development. Pedestrians and public transit are priorities. The Commercial District allows large scale development and provides space for businesses that use large trucks. Auto access and parking are prioritized over pedestrians, cyclists, or public transit.

    o How should the four areas be the same? How should they be different?

    o If the zoning changed, to help make the Commercial District more walkable and residential, then certain types of businesses might not be able to operate there. Is that a problem?

    · Should the town do more to help make more building and development happen in the Commercial District?


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Page last updated: 19 Sep 2023, 02:44 PM