What: a revised zoning and building fee schedule based on a staff study of how long each permit type takes, plus a Housing Committee idea for a temporary fee holiday to encourage housing construction.
Where it stands: on 2026-09-09 the Council approved the revised fee schedule 5-0 and directed the Housing Committee to return with a series of proposals to incentivize housing.
Next: Housing Committee proposals on housing incentives; no date is set in the minutes.
Details
Planning Director Miller presented the method: staff timed each permit type so fees reflect the work involved, and compared fees in other Vermont jurisdictions. Staff proposed lowering fees for administrative permits and raising them for permits that go through the Development Review Board. He said overall fees would not change significantly. He also described impact fees charged elsewhere that Montpelier does not charge.
Lauren Heirl, vice chair of the Housing Committee, and volunteer Seamus Lombardo described interviews with local developers, who perceive the city as not amenable to development. One proposal was a temporary fee holiday to signal the city wants to partner with developers. Councilors discussed it and other options.
Public comment: Stephen Whitaker and Rob Goodwin (Development Review Board member) spoke.
Motion: Councilor Jim Sheridan moved to approve the revisions to the schedule; Councilor Pelin Kohn seconded; carried 5-0. The fee holiday was not adopted; the Council asked the committee for more proposals.