Burlington City Council Meeting 3/25/24

by Paul Bean

The Burlington City Council Monday night voted unanimously in support of the new proposed neighborhood code, a city zoning measure that would allow for increased housing density.

These new zoning changes, referred to as the neighborhood code, will allow for developers to build multifamily homes as they are currently banned in Burlington. These “up-zoning” changes, as referred to by Burlingtonians, will encourage denser development by allowing more than one building on a residential lot and will allow these buildings to take up more space on the property than previously allowed. 

Last night’s meeting was the final meeting for 6 city council members including Mayor Weinberger, who has alluded to a possible run for statewide office. This was a chance for departing members of the council to say their goodbyes and forgive each other for any grievances over the years. In one final vote, the council voted to approve the BTV Neighborhood Code.

 “It’s not perfect but I think we should think about the urgency of the housing crisis. It’s not equitable, our current system is not equitable…” Said Dan Castragano, Burlington resident “The urgency of the housing crisis is the most important and I think we should pass it tonight.”

Most but not all city residents back the Neighborhood Code. Some think it weakens environmental protections and creates an opportunity for too many people in too small of a space. Some are fearful that these zoning changes would cause unintended consequences that would be hard to change. 

Andy Montroll, a former City Councilor, spoke about his experience living in Burlington over the past 3 decades, and how what used to work for residential zoning just isn’t working anymore. “The housing in Burlington works really well for me…my family grew up here. It was a perfect place for us. I will tell you, over the past 30 years or more, housing has not worked for so many people in our community- for so many people who want to be in our community.” 

He went on to add that a lot of the frustration over housing is coming from “the younger generation.”

“What struck me in these conversations over the neighborhood code is the generational differences in the voices we’ve been hearing…. We can try to preserve what we are, what Burlington has been for the last 50-100 years, it will work great for me… it’s perfect for what I need. But it’s not perfect for what so many other people need.”

In his final City Council as Mayor, Miro Weinberger urged the council to pass the residential changes sighting the numerous problems in Burlington that could be solved by more housing; “Tonight dozens of people are sleeping outside without shelter. Renters pay some of the highest rents relative to income of any renters in the country. Young couples can’t buy homes… name a problem in this city and more housing is probably the solution…. Tonight we have a chance to fix this.  If this plan is enacted tonight it will be the first time in 70 years that residential zoning has made it easier to build, not harder…I will enthusiastically sign the neighborhood code, in whatever form, if it comes to my desk.”

On April 1, Burlington’s new mayor, Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, will be sworn in along with 6 new city council members. However, this council did not go out without making a historic change that will shape the future of the city of Burlington.