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In cooperation with the Town of Essex, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) contracted Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (Stantec) to review existing transportation infrastructure and conceptualize future improvements and roadside enhancements along Vermont Route 15 (VT 15) within the Town. Specifically, the priority segment for this review is VT 15 between the Vermont Route 289 (VT 289) interchange in the Essex Town Center and the intersection of VT 15 and Vermont Route 128 (VT 128).

Tanglewood Drive, between Cindy Lane and Woodlawn Drive, is a relatively low-volume car-oriented street in the Town of Essex with no accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians. There is also recurring problems with the outlet to the closed drainage system that has resulted in significant erosion near the outlet adjacent to Fern Hollow Road. This study developed alternatives to address the stormwater issues and offer improvements for walking and biking. A preferred alternative was approved by the Essex Selectboard in September 2021.

The Town of Essex and the Village of Essex Junction, Vermont, with assistance from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and Toole Design, assessed priority sidewalks, pathways, and intersection crossings located at identified study focus areas, within the public right-of-way, for ADA compliance.

Appendix

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), working with the Town of Essex, the Village of Essex Junction, and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. developed a scoping study evaluating sidewalk/path improvements for VT Route 15 between Athens Drive and VT Route 289. The goal of the scoping project was to identify options for an important missing link between the Town and Village pedestrian and bicycle network.

Appendix

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), working with the Village of Essex Junction, the Town of Essex, and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. updated a scoping study completed in 2013 for bicycle and pedestrian improvements to VT Route 15 from Exit 15 to West Street Extension. This update looks more closely at the section between Susie Wilson Road and West Street Extension.

In the Vermont communities of Essex and Essex Junction sidewalks, driveways, and intersection crossing infrastructure may be deficient, with ADA ramps, deteriorating sidewalk or pathways creating travel impairments, and signalized intersections that may not meet these requirements. State and federal laws and regulations require local governments to ensure that people with disabilities have full access to civic life within their communities. The purpose of the Assessment of Critical Non-Compliant Sidewalks, Paths, and Crossings is to assess, analyze, and develop a prioritization list of improvements to sidewalks, driveways, and intersections at identified study focus areas within the Town of Essex and Village of Essex Junction, Vermont.

This report includes a variety of recommendations for the Town of Essex Zoning Regulations to eliminate barriers to affordable housing. Some of these recommendations are broad in scope while others are simple housekeeping changes. The broader recommendations go beyond a text edit in the zoning regulations and, while complex, may produce a more beneficial result than the minor housekeeping recommendations. The broader recommendations should be considered within the context of a housing needs assessment, and perhaps by a housing committee if and when established. This report should also help as a guide when implementing changes from the Town Center visioning work.