The amendments to the Bylaw will go into effect on April 22, 2024 unless a petition signed by at least five percent of the voters of Williston is filed with the Town Clerk by April 21, 2024 asking for a vote to disapprove the adoption. If a petition is received, the Selectboard will warn a special meeting and the voters may vote on that question pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4442.

Below is a summary as well as copies of the amendments. The Official Unified Development Bylaw will be uploaded to the town website by Friday, April 25. Members of the public can contact the Williston Planning Department at (802) 878-6704, or at planning@willistonvt.org with any questions.

Summary of Adopted Amendments

General Amendments:

• Aligning with state law (1) Amend accessory on-farm business definition; (2) appeal requirements, including “character of the area” appeals; (3) parking regulations; (4) height bonuses in Mixed-Use Commercial District
• Add 1) accessibility modifications and 2) hotels/motels converted to affordable housing to the list of partially exempted development.
• Multi-unit dwellings with 4 or fewer units require only an administrative permit.
• State-required stormwater treatment practices > ¼ acre require an administrative permit only, not a discretionary permit
• DRB hearing must be warned within 120 days of a complete application.
• Wetlands and steep slopes no longer excluded in density calculation
• Buildings with 4 or fewer dwellings are treated like single-household units in areas with municipal water/sewer.
• Increase Gateway Zoning District West density from 5 to 10 du/acre, with bonuses for affordable housing.
• Merge and rename various Zoning Districts for clarity purposes.
• Delete School Impact Fee chapter.

Village Zoning District & Associated Chapters:

• Completely revised Chapter 14 and eliminate Appendix H
• Process for determining contributing/historic and non-contributing/non-historic structures to guide design, redevelopment, and demolition.
• Standards for demolition and demolition by neglect.
• Residential density, dimensional standards, setbacks, parking, and private open areas.
• Allowed uses based on a two-tiered system: major uses along major roads and minor uses throughout the district.
• Standards for new development, including massing, scale, window placement, and roofing design.
• Adopt standards for materials, design, and modifications for all structures in the Williston Village Historic District and contributing structures throughout in the VZD, including replacement of windows, roofing, siding, and architectural details.
• Screening, buffers, and standards for mechanical equipment, utilities, and on-site energy generation.