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Development Review Board
Meetings
- 6:30 p.m.
- 1st Thursday of each month and the 3rd Thursday of the month as needed
- Town Offices
81 Main Street
Downstairs Conference Room
Essex Junction, VT 05452 - From a computer or mobile device, use the meeting link and choose the option for your web browser (Chrome recommended) or the Zoom app (download from Zoom). For general instructions on using Zoom, see this document.
- Call in with a phone to 1-888-788-0099 and use the Meeting ID 821 7131 4999# and the Passcode 754119
- Public wifi is available at the Essex municipal offices, libraries, and at hotspots mapped by the VT Public Service Dept.
- Meetings are available to watch on our Town of Essex YouTube channel following the meeting.
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Mission
The Development Review Board (DRB) is a five-member volunteer board composed of Essex residents who are appointed by the Selectboard for staggered four-year terms. The DRB is charged with overseeing subdivision, site plan, conditional use, appeals, variances, and all other Board reviewed applications.
Ultimately, the purpose behind the development review process is to help achieve the community’s vision through sensible and well-planned development. The community’s vision is expressed broadly in the Town Plan, and codified with regard to new development in specific land use regulations – Zoning Regulations, Subdivision Regulations, etc.
The Role of the Development Review Board in Reviewing Applications
The Development Review Board (DRB) serves as an impartial body responsible for evaluating and making decisions on various land use applications including site plans, subdivisions, conditional uses and variances. While the DRB plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Town’s development adheres to the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations and the Town Plan, it must maintain a neutral and objective stance during the review process. This neutrality is vital to uphold the integrity of the review process and balance the interests of residents, developers, and the broader community.
Ensuring Fairness and Transparency
The DRB is committed to a transparent decision-making process that provides clear explanations of how decisions are made and ensuring that all materials related to the development application are accessible to the public. People can sign up online to receive updates on DRB agendas.
Board Members
Ian Carroll, Chair
Sharon Zukowski, Vice Chair
Stephanie Bixby, Clerk
Nick Martin
Hubie Norton
Trefor Williams
Contact
To contact members of the Development Review Board, please send your inquiry to:
Community Development Department
802-878-1343, community-development@essex.org
Mail or in person at the Town Offices, 81 Main St.
All comments from the public must be received by 9:00 am the Friday before a meeting to be included in the Reading File of the DRB Packet. In the case of a holiday/office closure on the Friday before a DRB meeting, comments are due Thursday before 9:00 am. Any comments received after the deadline will be included in the Reading File for the next meeting. Meetings are open to the public, and we encourage you to attend in person if you have comments.