Municipal Plan Definition and Purpose
The municipal plan is both a thorough research document of the community's present condition and a guide for accomplishing community aspirations and intentions through public investments, land use regulations and other implementation programs. The plan is based upon surveys of existing conditions and probable future trends in the municipality, the region, and the state. Based on these surveys and trend, the plan identifies strategies for development and preservation of resources.
History of Barre City's Planning Process
Barre City has had a history of municipal plan development. The following are the municipal plan activities to date:
- 1963 —First municipal plan was prepared as a joint City of Barre and Town of Barre project. This plan included a land use plan, community facilities plan and a traffic plan.
- 1971 - A less comprehensive study and plan was completed
- 1980 - A new plan was adopted addressing future land use, transportation and parking, and community facilities
- 1985 - A new plan was prepared and adopted and then readopted in 1990
- 1992 - A comprehensive new plan was developed and adopted that formed the basis for the current plan
- 1994 - An economic development plan was developed
- 1997 - The plan was readopted with amendments and the 1994 economic plan was included as addendum to the plan
- 2003 - The 1997 plan was readopted with the addition of 2000 census data
- 2005 - Revised plan was adopted October 18, 2005
- 2010 - Moderately revised plan was re-adopted October, 2010
- 2014 - Rewritten Plan was adopted June 17, 2014
- 2020 - Revised and updated Plan was adopted September 15, 2020
2020 Municipal Plan
The municipal plan is both a thorough research document of the community's present condition and a guide for accomplishing community aspirations and intentions through public investments, land use regulations and other implementation programs. The plan is based upon surveys of existing conditions and probable future trends in the municipality, the region, and the state.
The 2020 Plan is an update to the thoroughly overhauled 2014 Plan, that expired in June of 2019. It also includes adding a new forest integrity element to the plan. The energy section has been updated also to meet newer statutory requirements, and more discussion was added to the housing chapter to reflect trends for accessory dwelling units, as was pointed out in our 2018 municipal consultation with the CVRPC (Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission).
A revision to 24 VSA 4387 now gives plans a life cycle of 8 years, from the previous 5 years, we believe that this update is recognized as good effort to continue with goals and trends.
The Planning Commission held a formal public hearing virtually on July 23, 2020, and multiple public comments were received. It was voted to pass the draft Plan forward to the City Council with minor edits made. The City Council held two public hearings on September 8 and 15, 2020 as required by state law. At their September 15, 2020 hearing, the City Council voted unanimously of the members present to adopt the Plan. It has now been sent to the CVRPC for their approval and confirmation of the planning process.
The municipal plan is valid for 8 years, and expires on September 15, 2028. Click HERE for the entire plan as one pdf document; each section is also broken down in the table below.