Zoning

Granite Street Historic District Completes Neighborhood Flood Resilience Plan

 in Flood Management/Resilience / Uncategorized / Zoning

After repeated flooding in 2023 and 2024, residents of Hardwick’s Granite Street Historic District began working together to better understand flooding in their neighborhood and explore ways to reduce future impacts.

Those conversations led to the newly completed Granite Street Historic District Flood and Community Resilience Plan.

Throughout the planning process, residents shared their experiences, asked questions, reviewed possible improvements, and worked with engineers to understand how water moves through the neighborhood. Their involvement helped guide the technical analysis and recommendations.

The plan identifies two priority projects for further engineering:

  • Spring Street Extension Floodplain Restoration
  • Granite Street Culvert Improvements and Flood Benching

Both projects now have preliminary designs and cost estimates. The Town has begun looking for funding to advance the next phases of engineering and permitting.

The plan also addresses neighborhood preparedness, emergency communications, and recovery, with an implementation schedule to guide future work.

The project was funded through a Vermont Municipal Planning Grant awarded by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. It was a collaboration among neighborhood residents, the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), the Town of Hardwick, and SLR Consulting. The draft plan was also reviewed by Vermont DEC, Vermont Emergency Management, regional planning commissions, and other partners.

Thank you to the Granite Street Historic District neighbors who shared their experiences, asked thoughtful questions, and stayed involved throughout the planning process. A special thank you to Andrea Phelps for her neighborhood leadership, for helping bring residents together, and for keeping the conversations moving forward. The knowledge and participation of neighborhood residents helped shape the final plan, and we’ll be working together as we move toward implementation

Read it here: Granite Street Historic District Flood and Community Resilience Plan – November 2026 (pdf)

Zoning Office Closure: November 6 – December 6, 2026

 in Flood Management/Resilience / Uncategorized / Zoning

The Town of Hardwick Zoning Office will be temporarily closed from Friday, November 6, through Sunday, December 6, 2026, due to a scheduled medical leave. Regular zoning services will resume on Monday, December 7, 2026.

Submitting Zoning Applications During the Closure

Zoning applications will continue to be accepted during this period. Completed applications may be dropped off or mailed to the Town Manager’s Office during regular business hours.

Applications will be date-stamped and checked for required signatures and fees. However, zoning reviews and permit issuance will be suspended until the office reopens.

Beginning December 7, applications will be reviewed in the order received.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Lamoille Basin Wetland Map Updates Available for Review

 in Zoning


*Comments Accepted Through July 2

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released draft updates to Vermont’s wetland maps, including many communities in Caledonia, Lamoille, and Orleans Counties (and the entired Lamoille Basin).

The updated maps show the approximate location and shape of wetlands where previous mapping was incomplete or inaccurate. DEC is asking property owners, municipalities, and interested residents to review the maps and provide feedback before the maps are finalized.

Wetlands help improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and can help absorb and slow floodwaters. As Vermont communities continue to invest in flood resilience and watershed health, accurate wetland mapping is an important planning tool.

Residents are encouraged to review the maps and submit comments or corrections if they identify potential inaccuracies.

View the draft maps here:

Location-Specific Comments: Wetland Program

Comments on the draft maps will be accepted through July 2, 2026.

Hardwick Municipal Plan Community Survey

 in Zoning

The survey closed on June 5, 2026

The Town of Hardwick has started work on the 2027 update to our Municipal Plan, and the Planning Commission is asking for community input to help guide the process.

The Municipal Plan helps shape local decisions about things like housing, infrastructure, flood resilience, food systems, and community priorities over the next several years. Your input will help identify what people value most about Hardwick and what may need attention moving forward.

We’ve created a short community survey (about 5–8 minutes) and would love to hear from residents, workers, business owners, and anyone connected to Hardwick.

Survey results will be summarized and shared publicly and will help inform the next Municipal Plan update. Thanks for participating!

Hardwick Select Board – Warning of Public Hearing

 in Zoning

The Hardwick Select Board hereby provides notice of a public hearing being held pursuant to 24 VSA §4444 (Public Hearing Notice) for the purpose of hearing public comments concerning proposed changes to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws.  The public hearing has been scheduled for March 19, 2026 (Thursday) at 5:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Memorial Building and by Zoom.

The meeting ID is 892 2336 5823.

To join the Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89223365823

Statement of Purpose:

The proposed changes to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws (known hereafter as “Bylaws”) will serve the following purposes:

  1. Align with state statutory requirements regarding dwelling units, including provisions enabling the conversion of hotels and motels into permanently affordable housing.
  2. Remove references to local Act 250 review in accordance with updated guidance under Act 181.
  3. Establish and implement a River Corridor Overlay District to protect floodplains and flood erosion areas.
  4. Create and integrate a new Village Center Zoning District for East Hardwick to support historic village character, housing opportunities, and pedestrian-oriented development.

Geographic Area Affected:

The Bylaw changes shall apply to all areas in the Town of Hardwick, Vermont.

Table of Contents:

Article 1: Authority and Purpose; Article 2: Zoning Districts; Article 3: General Regulations; Article 4: Specific Use Provisions; Article 5: Development Review;  Article 6: Subdivision Review;  Article 7: Administration and Enforcement;  Article 8: Definitions.

Location Where Full Text May Be Examined:

The full context of the proposed changes can be viewed here or at the Hardwick Town Offices or on the Town of Hardwick website – www.hardwickvt.gov.

The meeting is open to the public.  Interested people may attend the meeting in-person or on Zoom or send a letter or email to the Hardwick Select Board c/o the Zoning Administrator’s office to comment on the proposed update.  Emails can be forwarded to the zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov address.    

Hardwick Select Board