Planning Commission

Planning Commission News

October 2024 The Planning Commission will not be meeting in November 2024. The next meeting will be on December 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm. This meeting will include a public hearing/listening session for the draft version of the Village Center zoning district, which has been proposed for East Hardwick.

September 6, 2024 The Select Board approved the proposed updates to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws on September 5, 2024. Updated Unified Development Bylaw – Adopted on September 5, 2024

August 7, 2024 The Select Board will be holding a public hearing on the proposed updates to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws on September 5, 2024 at 5 pm. Warning with further information.

June 12, 2024 The Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws (also known as the zoning bylaws or regulations) have been accepted by the Hardwick Planning Commission and forwarded to the Select Board for their public hearing. The Select Board Public Hearing will be held on September 5, 2024 at 5 pm. There will be a virtual option and an in-person option.

May 20, 2024 The Hardwick Planning Commission will be hosting a public hearing about the proposed amendments to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws (also known as the zoning bylaws or regulations). The hearing will be on June 11, 2024 at 6:30 pm on the third floor of the Memorial Building. There is a Zoom option available.

Planning Report for June 11, 2024 (pdf)

Proposed amendments to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws (pdf)

Current Zoning District Map (jpg) and Proposed Zoning District Map (jpg)

November 15, 2023 The Hardwick Community Planning Forum on November 14, 2023 included the following slides from Heather Carrington.

November 14, 2023 Community Planning Forum Slides (pdf)

HCTV video of the Community Planning Session on November 14, 2023 https://hctv.us/hardwick-planning-commission-public-information-session-november-14-2023/

October 19, 2023 The Hardwick Planning Commission is currently reviewing potential updates to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws. These changes would bring Hardwick into compliance with recent State statute changes and, hopefully, improve the availability of housing in Hardwick. Are you interested in hearing what types of bylaw changes are under discussion and consideration by the Planning Commission? Would you like to provide input? Heather Carrington, the consultant who is working with the Hardwick Planning Commission, will be at the Memorial Building (3rd floor) on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 6:30 to present and discuss with the community. Join us at the Memorial Building or virtually.

September 29, 2023 The Hardwick Community Planning Forum on September 28, 2023 included the following slides from the consultant – Heather Carrington. A second forum will be held later this fall. September 28, 2023 Community Planning Forum slides

September 2023 The Hardwick Planning Commission is currently reviewing potential updates to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws. These changes would bring Hardwick into compliance with the recent State statute changes and, hopefully, improve the availability of housing in Hardwick. Interested in hearing what is being proposed? Heather Carrington, the consultant who is working with the Hardwick Planning Commission, will be at the Hardwick Town House on Thursday, September 28th at 6 pm to present and discuss the work in progress. The Zoning Administrator, Kristen Leahy, will also be present for questions and/or concerns. Join us at the Hardwick Town House on September 28th at 6 pm.

March 15, 2023 The Hardwick Planning Commission recently received a Bylaw Modernization Grant from the State of Vermont. The Planning Commission will be working with a planning consultant to review and update the Unified Development Bylaws. Stay tuned for more information!!

February 11, 2022 The Town of Hardwick will be voting on the question of permitting retail cannabis in Hardwick – Articles 20 & 21 on the ballot. The Planning Commission will be reviewing zoning implications of this vote after Town Meeting day. The State of Vermont has implemented a mandatory 500 feet buffer for properties that are adjacent or abutting school property. Both articles were adopted on March 1, 2022.

East Hardwick Planning Documents as of July 2023

The Hardwick Planning Commission has the following studies regarding East Hardwick:

East Hardwick Walk and Bike Safety Improvement concepts from Local Motion

East Hardwick Walkability Audit from the Hardwick Planning Commission

East Hardwick LVRT Trailhead Scoping Study

Cell Tower Information and AT&T Proposal Announcements

Please Note that the following information pertains only to the telecommunications projects which are required to send notification to the Hardwick Planning Commission. Article 19 of the 2022 Town of Hardwick Annual Town Meeting was adopted on March 1, 2022. The article states: “Shall the Town require its government to provide notice on its website to its residents when the Town receives notice that sources of radiation generated by cell towers/transmitters, Wi-Fi tower transmitters, and 5G antennas are being proposed for licensing and installation within the Town limits.” The Planning Commission does not receive information regarding limited requests (such as new antennas or transmitters). For additional information regarding projects as defined by Article 19, please visit the Town Manager’s web page. Right to Know – Hardwick, Vermont (hardwickvt.gov)

November 13, 2024 T-Mobile Northeast, LLC has filed a petition requesting a Certificate of Public Good for a de Minimis modification upon a wireless Telecommunications facility at 846 Bridgman Hill Road. Case No. 24-3189-PET. Petition.

February 11, 2022 The Hardwick Planning Commission Chair, Dave Gross, has compiled a guide for Hardwick citizens. Helpful links are included. Tower Info Statement by Dave Gross – HPC Chair

February 25, 2022 New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has filed a motion to dismiss their petition without prejudice. AT&T Motion to Dismiss – Hopkins Hill 21-3784 PET

February 1, 2022 New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has requested an extension to the public comment period to March 1, 2022.

December 14, 2021 New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has been granted an extension to the public comment period to February 1, 2022.

October 12, 2021 – New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has filed a petition to extend the comment period to December 1, 2021.

September 14, 2021 – New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has filed a petition to receive a certificate of public good to install a wireless telecommunications facility at 1190 Hopkins Hill Road, Hardwick. The petition is 21-3784-PET and has been updated to utilize the existing tower with no height extensions. Documents can be found at ePUC or at the following link: https://drmpllc.sharefile.com/d-sf9a65572088140fcb8b689933f1f567b

August 6, 2021 – Only the 60-day Advance Notification has been filed in VT PUC Case No. 21-1078-AN AT&T 1190 Hopkins Hill Road. Finalized site plans will not be issued until after a July 14th design visit with Hardwick Electric Department. New Cingular Wireless PCS closed the VT PUC Case No 21-1078-AN and instead filed petition 21-3784-PET which is referenced above in the September 14, 2021 announcement.

June 3, 2021 – No information, beyond the 60-day Advance Notification, has been filed in VT PUC Case No. 21-1078-AN AT&T 1190 Hopkins Hill Road by this date.

March 18, 2021 – Please Note that a new AT&T proposal has been forwarded to the Town of Hardwick. This is the 60-day Advance Notification for a Tower Extensio/Collocation. The link to the documents follows: https://drmpllc.sharefile.com/d-scc5e25ae85d144348779b6c92d1048ee

Further information regarding the Public Utility Commission CPG review of VT PUC Case No. 21-1078-AN AT&T 1190 Hopkins Hill Road will be posted electronically on the ePUC. The link to instructions on how to subscribe to a case in ePUC follows:

https://puc.vermont.gov/epuc-information/subscribe-case

December 9, 2020 – Please note that a Motion to Dismiss has been filed by AT&T in the Public Utility Commission CPG review. AT&T and their collaborators are withdrawing their application for a cell tower on Buffalo Mountain. AT&T Order granting Closure

The information regarding the Public Utility Commission CPG review of VT PUC Case No. 20-3175-PET: AT&T Hardwick 1061 Cooper Brook Drive can be reviewed electronically on the ePUC. The link to instructions on how to subscribe to a case in ePUC follows:

https://puc.vermont.gov/epuc-information/subscribe-case

Wetland Screening Tool

Wetland Screening Tool – The wetland screening tool was developed to help you navigate all the mapping layers which indicate a property may have wetlands on it. In addition to the Vermont Wetland Inventory Maps, the tool also screens for nearby hydric soils, wetland projects, wetland permits, wetland natural community types, and wetland advisory layers. The results for a given property are listed for you to see, with explanations of each layer and recommended next steps. You can also produce a map of the results. To get started, all you need is the 911 address or the SPAN number for an undeveloped property. This tool is recommended for realtors, potential buyers, town administrators, conservation commissions, and landowners. It is the best means of gaining a comprehensive view of potential wetlands on a property short of a site visit by a wetland professional, and understanding the layers you are looking at. You can find the wetland screening tool at https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/wetlands/maps

Regular Meetings

The Planning Commission meets at 6:30PM on the second Tuesday of every month. Currently, the Commission is meeting in person on the third floor of the Memorial Building. There is a Zoom option available at each meeting.

Duties

Determining and executing projects related to The Town Plan and alterations to the Zoning Bylaws.

Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws – September 5, 2024 Current Version. Updated version became available on September 26, 2024

Hardwick Municipal Plan – 2019 Original (pdf)

Hardwick 2019 Plan Maps (pdf)

Members

Ken Davis, Vice-Chair (Term expires 6/30/2026)
Dave Gross, Chair (Term expires 6/30/2025)
Jim Lewis (Term expires 06/30/2027)
Bud Stevens (Term expires 6/30/27)
Michael Haveson (Term expires 6/30/2027)
Larry Fliegelman (Term expires 6/30/2025)
Shari Cornish (Term expires 6/30/2026)
Kole, First Alternate (Term expires 6/30/26)
Gillian D’Acierno, Second Alternate (Term expires 6/30/26)

July 2022 The Hardwick Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing by Zoom on August 9, 2022 to discuss proposed Zoning bylaw changes to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws.

HPC Reporting Form for Municipal Bylaw Amendments

HPC Warning of Public Hearing

Proposed Zoning Bylaw Changes

Proposed Zoning District Amendment

Zoning Map of Hardwick for Reference

July 12, 2022 HPC Minutes 1) East Hardwick Audit – DRAFT 2) Comments on draft Audit 3) Proposed Bylaw Updates 4) Local Motion Legislative Update 5) Lamoille Housing update 6) Form-based code vs Traditional Zoning

June 14, 2022 HPC Minutes

May 10, 2022 HPC Minutes 1) Proposed Bylaw Updates 2) Map of proposed zoning districtment amendment

April 12, 2022 HPC Minutes

March 8, 2022 HPC Minutes PDFs for Minutes: 1) Article 20 & 21 and Discussion 2) Hardwick Elem 500′ Cannabis Exclusion Map 3) Hazen 500′ Cannabis Exclusion Map 4) Current Accessory Dwelling zoning bylaw with proposed language 5) Topics of Reform – ADUs 6) Article 19 in the 2022 Town Meeting Ballot 7) Tower Info Statement by Dave Gross – HPC Chair 8) AT&T Motion to Dismiss – Hopkins Hill 21-3784 PET

February 8, 2022 HPC Minutes 1) Municipal Guidance from the Cannabis Control Board 2) Stowe PC zoning questions 3) cannabis_control_commissionsqa 4) Planning for Retail Cannabis 5) Retail Cannabis from VLCT

The January 11, 2022 Meeting was canceled due to the medical leave of the Zoning Administrator.