VERGENNES — The Vergennes’ Planning Commission will hold a public forum — with door prizes — that planners say is a crucial step in the state-mandated rewrite of the Vergennes city plan. That plan update is due by September 2019.
The forum is this Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Vergennes Opera House
According to Chairman Shannon Haggett the commission is considering land use zoning and policy changes to the plan.
“The changes may affect how residents live, work, shop and play in the city,” Haggett wrote in an email, adding the forum will be held, “in an effort to hear and understand public opinion about the affordability, availability and design of new housing in the city of Vergennes, and on other issues affecting the city.”
The commission will present specifics about proposed changes, Haggett said, and as a bonus will offer refreshments and door prizes provided by 3 Squares Café, Daily Chocolate, Hired Hand Brewing Co. and Shacksbury Cider.
Haggett said the evening will also include “breakout groups for small informal targeted discussions,” on a number of topics, including housing density, pedestrian and biking issues, and sidewalks. Those will be followed by “a question and answer session and an overview of the next steps in the process.”
Municipal plans serve as a long-term guide for communities and act as the bases for municipal zoning.
Haggett added planners are happy to receive comments, questions, complaints, ideas or suggestions via email at [email protected] as well as at this and other public meetings.