Smart, responsible housing growth in Chittenden County is essential to Vermont’s future. We can expand housing while protecting the natural landscape that defines us and attracts new families to move here. Doing nothing puts our future at risk. Building necessary housing in Chittenden County while respecting nature requires smart growth principles that concentrate development in existing, walkable centers and infrastructure-rich areas.

 

Towns such as Williston and South Burlington have committed to high-density in large designated areas while prioritizing infill and redevelopment wherever possible. Towns such as Charlotte and Underhill need to balance protecting their rural nature while contributing to housing needs in village centers.

 

Meanwhile, Vermont’s population is declining. That means our schools have declining enrollment, there is less economic investment in our communities, the pool is dwindling for health care—all of which leads to increased costs per resident across the board. It’s incumbent upon our generation to secure a viable future for our children and their children. Housing is an integral part of that solution.

 

It will be important to prioritize infill, redevelopment, and density in designated areas and far from wetlands and wildlife habitat. Encourage Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), townhomes, and duplexes that offer diverse, affordable options and blend into the existing community fabric. Invest properly in infrastructure, municipal services, and public transportation in designated growth areas to support higher density and prevent sprawl, which protects working lands and forests. As building costs rise, programs like the "Homes for All Toolkit" will be critical as they train a new generation of small-scale developers to create housing that aligns with community character. By promoting compact, mixed-use development and protecting natural, agricultural, and forest areas, Vermont can tackle its housing crisis without sacrificing its environment.

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