WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hartford Selectboard is holding a public hearing Tuesday night after which it is expected to consider implementing a proposed zoning amendment that would encourage mixed commercial and residential development in a key area of the town.
The zoning change would see a 32-acre, 13-parcel section of Hartford that Town Planner Matt Osborn called the town’s “gateway” because of its proximity to three highways, rezoned as “General Commercial/Residential” to allow for multi-unit residences and multi-use buildings. Its current zoning designation, “Industrial Commercial Two,” only allows for light industrial and commercial use.
The new zoning district would permit the construction of multi-use dwellings, upon issuance of a conditional-use permit, along with retail stores, restaurants, medical clinics and many other uses. It is located across from the White River Junction VA Medical Center, includes Ballardvale Drive and Jasmin Lane, and is surrounded by Interstate 91, Interstate 89 and U.S. Route 5.
The zoning amendment, Osborn has noted, is intended to implement recommendations from Hartford’s 2019 Town Plan to create more opportunities for mixed-use development and housing. In 2021, two Hartford zoning districts, one in White River Junction and another in Quechee, also were changed to allow mixed commercial and residential use.
The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. at Hartford Town Hall. People interested in attending can also do so virtually through Zoom, and that link can be found on the town’s website: hartford-vt.org.
Ray Couture can be reached at 1994rbc@gmail.com.