Planning, Zoning, Floodplain Administration


NEWS


  • Flood Safety Act in Our Community Presentation

    On Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 6 pm in the Memorial Building (3rd Floor) and on Zoom, there will be a presentation on the Flood Safety Act.

    The Flood Safety Act (Act 121), passed by the Vermont Legislature in 2024, takes a comprehensive approach to reducing flood risk across the state. The legislation strengthens protection of river corridors, promotes the strategic removal of derelict dams, and supports the restoration of wetlands to absorb and store excess floodwater. Most importantly, it represents a critical step in safeguarding lives and property from future storm events.

    In anticipation of new statewide river corridor protection standards, Lake Champlain Sea Grant and The Nature Conservancy are partnering, at the request of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), to conduct outreach with municipalities. The goal is to help communities understand the details, implications, and timeline for implementing these protections and to answer any questions related to the Flood Safety Act.

    This presentation is open to all community members.

    Agenda and Zoom link

  • Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

    Demolition of Flood Distressed and Dangerous Structures at 41 Brush Street in Hardwick, Vermont

    The Town of Hardwick seeks a qualified Demolition Team to remove two flood-distressed and dangerous structures on the stream bank of the Lamoille River.

    This Demolition will require a specialized approach due to the complexity of the primary structure’s location.  Time is of the essence as the primary structure continues to be impacted by high waters in the Lamoille River.

    Site visit by appointment (802-472-1686).

    Funding Provided By: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant administered by the Vermont Emergency Management.

    Submission Deadline:
    June 26, 2025 (Thursday) at 3 pm.

    Submit a digital (PDF) copy to:

    Town of Hardwick
    Kristen Leahy, Resilience & Adaptation Coordinator

    PO Box 523, Hardwick, VT 05843

    Email: zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov

    Short-listed consultants will be invited to submit detailed proposals.


    Project work begins July 14, 2025.  End date is October 1, 2025.

    Full RFQ: 41 Brush Street Demolition

  • REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

    Granite Street Historic District Flood Resiliency Plan for the Town of Hardwick, Vermont

    The Town of Hardwick seeks a qualified consulting firm specializing in community flood resilience to develop a flood resiliency plan for the Granite Street Historic District—an area severely impacted by recent flood events along Cooper Brook and the Upper Lamoille River.

    This plan will build on past assessments and engage residents, businesses, and partners to identify mitigation solutions and enhance long-term flood preparedness.  The purpose of the project is to develop a conceptual plan that identifies potential areas where floodwaters can be spread out and slowed down, and where public infrastructure and/or private investments can be reinforced, protected, elevated, or relocated.

    Project Partners:
    Town of Hardwick, Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), Granite Street Historic District residents

    Funding Provided By: Municipal Planning Grant Program administered by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development

    Submission Deadline:
    June 20, 2025 – 3:00 PM

    Submit a digital (PDF) and two printed copies to:

    Town of Hardwick

    Kristen Leahy, Resilience & Adaptation Coordinator

    PO Box 523, Hardwick, VT 05843

    Email: zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov

    Short-listed consultants will be invited to submit detailed proposals.

    Project work begins July 21, 2025.  End date is March 30, 2027.

    For the full RFQ, contact Kristen Leahy or visit hardwickvt.gov or here: https://hardwickvt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MPG-RFQ-Hardwick-2025-1.pdf

  • Community Emergency Planning in Action

    Following the 2023 flooding, Neighbor to Neighbor, the Town of Hardwick, OSSU, and the Civic Standard teamed up to improve our community’s emergency preparedness. With support from two consultants—Karen Horn and Cynthia Stuart—and funding from an MTAP grant through the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), a draft addendum to Hardwick’s Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) has been created.

    🗓️ The draft was presented as part of a class in the Hardwick State framework on Saturday, April 12.
    📌 Next steps include recruiting volunteers, integrating the plan with Town systems, and developing online resources.
    🗳️ A final submission will be presented to the Select Board in late May.


    🔗 Review the Draft Addendums:
    View the Emergency Preparedness Addendum (PDF)


    🙏 Thank you to the volunteers who’ve dedicated nearly two years to this effort—and to Karen Horn and Cynthia Stuart for helping turn a community vision into a working plan.

  • Public Notice

    Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), as well as, Federal Emergency
    Management Agency’s (FEMA) implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal
    Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides final notice of its decision to provide Hazard
    Mitigation Grant Program funding for actions located in floodplains. Funding would be provided
    through Vermont Emergency Management to the Town of Hardwick for the demolition and
    acquisition of two (2) residential properties on VT Route-15.
    Eligible actions are within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Work would include the
    demolition and removal of structures, associated impervious surfaces, outbuildings, and
    facilities. Demolition would involve minor ground disturbances; site preparations and/or
    restorations; and the use of fill for minor grading and/or filling subsurface facilities where fill
    would meet existing grade. All construction equipment and materials would be staged within the
    parcels on pre-disturbed areas or driveways.
    Demolition work and associated site restorations would have limited temporary effects and no
    permanent adverse effects on the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains. Long-term,
    the values of the floodplain would be restored and natural flood storage capacity at the sites
    would improve.
    Alternatives considered include relocation, elevation, and “no action.” The relocation and
    elevation alternatives were deemed technically impracticable and not cost effective. The “no
    action” alternative would leave the community at risk. Demolition is the preferred alternative as
    it is cost effective, eliminates flood risk to homeowners to the maximum extent, promotes open
    space use, and restores natural floodplain values.
    Grant conditions will require compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including
    coordination with the local floodplain administrator and proper removal of demolition debris,
    where applicable.
    Map requests and comments about this project and potential floodplain impacts should be
    submitted within 15 days of the date of this publication to:

    Pamela Sparks, Senior Environmental Specialist
    Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cambridge, MA

    pamela.sparks@fema.dhs.gov; (346) 314-8506

  • Proposed East Hardwick Zoning District

    After comparing HOME Act proposals with preliminary findings of the Better Connections process, the Hardwick Planning Commission (HPC) concluded that the East Hardwick Village was more aligned with a new single Village Center zoning district. The proposed Village Center District (VC) has the following purpose:

    “To support a central mixed use area in East Hardwick. The Village Center District is intended to provide a place of civic pride and a focal point for development in the community. The Village Center District enables a variety of housing opportunities with a mix of small-scale commercial in a pedestrian-friendly setting.”

    The Hardwick Planning Commission will be hosting a listening session at their meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm. The session will occur on the third floor of the Memorial Building and on Zoom.

    Please bring your questions, concerns, and suggestions. You may also send these items by email to zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov.

    Additional information about the Village Center zoning district:

    https://hardwickvt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Village-Center-Zoning-District-Associated-information.pdf

PLANS & STUDIES


Unified Development Bylaws – Also Known as the Zoning Regulations


Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws – adopted on September 5, 2024 (also known as the zoning and subdivision regulations).

Flood Safety Act Presentation on June 18, 2025 for the Community

APPLICATIONS


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. To get started, all you need is the 911 address or the SPAN number for an undeveloped property. 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.

ZONING APPLICATIONS

Hardwick Zoning Application for Permitted Use 
For any permitted use outside of the Flood Hazard Area Overlay.  This permit covers new construction, additions, or any other item which is permitted in your zoning district.

Hardwick Zoning Application for Subdivision
For any Subdivision Review Request. If you wish to subdivide your land, then this permit is for you.

Hardwick Agricultural Structural Exemption Notification
For Agricultural Exemptions Requests.  Per Section 7.2 B; accepted agricultural and best management practices, including farm structures, are exempted from the permit requirements.  However, written notification including a sketch plan of the structure showing setback distances from road rights-of-way, property lines, and surface waters shall be made to the Zoning Administrator prior to any construction.  This document can be used to notify the ZA.  Filing fee for this notification is $15 (recording fee).  Please note that this exemption does not cover employee housing on a farm.

Hardwick Zoning Application for Signs
Specifically for a sign request. Calculation of Sign Area

Hardwick Demolition of Structures Notification
Notify us when you plan to demolish a structure.  This notification has a $15 recording fee.

DEC has created an online Permit Navigator to help answer state environmental permit questions.  Permit Navigator | Department of Environmental Conservation (vermont.gov)

CONDITIONAL USE OR VARIANCE APPLICATIONS

Hardwick Zoning Application for Conditional Use
Specifically for Conditional Use or Variance. If you will need to visit the Development Review Board, then this permit is for you.

Hardwick Special Event – Conditional Use Application

DRIVEWAY PERMIT

Driveway Construction Approval Application

FLOOD HAZARD AREA OVERLAY DISTRICT APPLICATIONS

DEC has created an online Permit Navigator to help answer state environmental permit questions.  Permit Navigator | Department of Environmental Conservation (vermont.gov)

Hardwick Zoning Application for Flood Hazard Administrative Permit
Specifically created for development in the Flood Hazard Area Overlay which would not require a zoning permit in other Zoning Districts.  Examples include exterior and interior improvements, new parking areas, new or replacement fuel storage tanks for existing structures. 

Hardwick Zoning Application for Flood Hazard Permitted Use
This application can be used for accessory structures (under 500 feet) in the Flood Hazard Area.

Hardwick Zoning Application for Conditional Use
Most activities in the Flood Hazard Area require a review from the Vermont Floodplain Manager and a Conditional Use review with the Development Review Board.  Examples include new structures (even accessory structures over 500 square feet), substantial improvements to existing structures, grading, excavation, and road improvements.

FEMA Substantial Improvement