Wardsboro Selectboard Public Hearing
July 15, 2025 7:00PM
RE: Proposed Amendments to Wardsboro Zoning Bylaw and Zoning District Map
Location: Town Office at 71 Main Street, Wardsboro
The purpose of the Hearing is to receive public comments on the proposed amendments to the Wardsboro Zoning Bylaw and Zoning District Map pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §4441, which outlines the process for amending municipal bylaws.
The purpose of the proposed amendments to the Wardsboro Zoning Bylaw is to update the bylaw to align with: current Vermont statutes relating to the Home Act of 2023 and Act 181 of 2024 and penalties for zoning violations; changes to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture definitions and requirements for farms; federal flood hazard area regulations; and Vermont river corridor regulations to be effective in 2028. Another purpose is to add clarity to sections of Article I by including statutory language with references to Vermont statute numbers in the bylaw. The purpose of the proposed amendments to the Wardsboro Zoning District Map is to align the district boundaries with the Wardsboro Town Plan and Maps relating to high priority forest blocks, travel corridors, and South Wardsboro village district designation.
The affected zoning bylaw article and section numbers include:
Article I Administration and Procedures
124.n. Activities Not Requiring a Zoning Permit
132.1c. Application
134 Violations and Penalties
145.a. and b. Additional Conditions
147.2e.and f. Specific Conditional Use Standards
151 Site Plan Approval
151.5g. and h. Specific Site Plan Review Standards
Article II District Use and Intensity Regulations
231.1 Buildings and Uses on Lots
241.2c,242.2c, 243.2c, 244.2c, (and asterisk statement) Permitted Uses
Article III General Regulations
318.a-h. Accessory Dwelling Units
341 Division of a Lot into Two or More Lots
380 Off-street Parking and Loading Requirements
386 Parking Space Requirements
387.1a-c. Residential Uses
Article IV Special Provisions
444. Public Facilities
Article V Flood and Fluvial Erosion Hazard Regulations (the entire article)
510 Intent and Application of Regulations
520 Lands to Which These Regulations Apply
530 Administration
540 Permit Application Guidelines
550 Development in Regulated Flood Hazard Areas
560 Technical Provisions
570 Enforcement and Penalties
580 Variances
590 Definitions
Article VII Definitions
Accessory Dwelling Unit; Agricultural Use; Agricultural Structure; Dwelling, Two-Family; Emergency Shelter; Equestrian Facility; Farm Structure; Interested Person; Mylar; Plat
Proposed changes from current district designations on the Wardsboro Zoning District Map to conservation district include: resource residential district around Gault Rd. and extending northward into part of a rural residential district in a water resource area along the border with Newfane; town forest near Dump Rd.; National Forest Service parcels extending beyond Potter Rd. and including resource residential district of two privately conserved parcels; resource residential district south of Potter Rd. extending from National Forest Service parcels to South Wardsboro; a narrow section of rural residential in the southwest corner of Wardsboro, along the western border with Stratton, crossing Route 100 and extending into an area of a resource residential district away from Route 100 and south of village areas; and change South Wardsboro village district designation back to rural residential from village-commercial.
All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing to express their views and are invited to submit comments to the Selectboard in written form by the date of the hearing.
The full text of amendments is available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours and on the Town website at https://wardsborovt.gov/wardsboro-planning-commission-report-to-wardsboro-select-board-proposed-amendments-to-wardsboro-zoning-bylaw-and-zoning-district-map/.