Thank you for taking the time to learn about the City's proposed Environmental Protection Standards update.
The City is considering a substantial update and overhaul to the Environmental Protection Standards contained with the City's Land Development Regulations. These Regulations restrict land development within specific identified natural resource areas, specify exempt activities, and set standards for limited circumstances where impacts to these resources are allowable.
What is the City's Goal with this project?
The City, through its volunteer Planning Commission, has been working on a series of amendments to its Land Development Regulations. These amendments are intended to advance the vision and goals the City's Comprehensive Plan. The proposed amendment offers additional protection to important wildlife habitat areas, advances climate goals through greater retention of larger forested areas, and acknowledges the effects of climate change in our community by expanding floodplain management regulations to the mapped 500-year floodplain, regulating steep and very steep slopes, and updated stormwater management standards. These amendments, moreover, are proposed in the context of the full Comprehensive Plan, recognizing that the City has multiple goals, including environmental stewardship, economic development, provision of opportunities for new and expanded housing, and safe and efficient transportation.
Latest News: [updated May 19, 2021]
- Draft Amendments (clean version) with recommended City Attorney Mark-Ups (May 19, 2021)
- Draft Natural Resources Map recommended to be divided into two maps: Habitat Blocks & Connectors, and Natural Resources (May 19, 2021)
- Complied written public comments received through May 19
- Summary of oral and written comments by subject area through May 19, 2021
- Two-page summary of the main changes from the existing standards
- Section-by-section summary of proposed amendments and how they differ from the current Regulations.
- Complete Draft (clean version) of the proposed Environmental Protection Standards & Map
- Complete Draft (mark-up version) of the proposed Environmental Protection Standards & Map
- Draft Planning Commission Report on proposed amendments
- By the numbers: a comparison of the amount of land under the jurisdiction of the existing and proposed Articles 10 & 12
Yes! Use our Interactive Map Viewer to compare the existing and the proposed areas covered by the Regulations. You can type in an address, or browse the City. Use the toolbar in the top right of the screen to turn layers of information OFF or ON. Current Regulations are shown in Orange. Proposed Regulations are shown in shades of Blue.
We have also prepared two viewable/printable maps:
- Current Environmental Standards, showing areas covered by the current surface water protection standards. Also shown on this map are parks, cemeteries, or land with a form of existing conservation, and the City's Natural Resource Protection Zoning district
- Current AND Proposed Environmental Standards, showing areas covered by the current surface water protection standards and the added areas covered by the proposed Environmental Protection Standard additions. Also shown on this map are parks, cemeteries, or land with a form of existing conservation, and the City's Natural Resource Protection Zoning district
The City's Planning Commission has prepared a complete draft and is now asking for community feedback.
How Can I Learn More and Provide Input?
The Planning Commission will be holding several informational and input forums, culminating in a Public Hearing:
- Learn to Use the Maps Training Session I, Tuesday, April 20, 12 pm. Learn about how to use the Interactive Map Tool! [Note, this is a training session ONLY]
- Learn to Use the Maps Training Session II, Wednesday, April 21, 7 pm. Learn about how to use the Interactive Map Tool! [Note, this is a training session ONLY]
- Public Input Session I: Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm. Provide your feedback on the draft Regulations, following a brief overview. Or call in [audio only]: (646) 749-3122, Access Code: 661-939-717
- Public Input Session II: Tuesday, May 4, 12 pm. Provide your feedback on the draft Regulations, following a brief overview. Or call in [audio only]: (669) 224-3412 Access Code: 119-510-557
- Public Hearing Thursday, May 20, 7:00 pm. Provide oral or written comments on the Draft Regulations. Or call in [audio only] (571) 317-3112 Access Code: 886-368-509
Where do I provide Feedback?
Email: Provide us with a letter or email to planning@sburl.com. All written feedback with by collected and shared with the full Planning Commission.By Mail: Mail a letter to South Burlington Planning & Zoning, 575 Dorset Street, South Burlington Vermont 05403
Can I see these proposed standards in the context of what's already built and conserved in the City?
Yes! We have put together a short set of map slides showing the existing, and proposed Environmental Protection areas, alongside existing conserved land, park land, conservation zoning districts, and built areas. On any slide you can zoom in and look at the part of the City you're most interested in.
How can I look to see how existing and the proposed standards line up with the City's Comprehensive Plan?
We have a set of map slides for this too, showing the existing and proposed areas, together with currently built and conserved lands, over the Plan's Future Land Use Map, Primary Conservation Areas Map, and Secondary Conservation Areas Map.
Where can I find more information?
The Planning Commission has reviewed drafts of these documents over the course of 2+ years. All meetings packets & minutes are posted and maintained on the City's website.