St. Albans meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

St. Albans approves four-apartment renovation permit; DRB to weigh demolition and parking lot Monday

The City of St. Albans approved a permit for interior renovations at 72 No Main St that will create four 1-bedroom apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Permit B26-000062 was approved per Development Review Board Case 2026-006. The approval is the most consequential administrative action recorded over the past two weeks, as it adds residential units to the city's housing stock.

Planning Commission hears public comment on City Plan and land use amendments

The St. Albans City Planning Commission held public hearings on July 20 on proposed amendments to the City Plan and Enhanced Energy Plan, and on revisions to the Land Development Regulations. Staff presented the amendments, followed by public comment and commission discussion. The commission considered motions to revise the documents and refer them to the City Council. Additional agenda items included discussion of a rail trail extension and other regulatory amendments. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome of any votes is not yet confirmed in the record.

Residential permits issued across the city

Several property activity letters and permits were issued between July 21 and July 30:

• **8 Finn Ave** (Parcel ID 22035008, zoning R87): A shingle-to-shingle roof replacement was reviewed, with expected completion in August 2026. No additional permitting is required unless the scope changes.
• **14 Locke Terrace** (R87 Zoning District): Exterior improvements approved, including new siding, replacement of two windows, and replacement of posts.
• **27 Beverly Ct**: Permit B26-000060 approved for a 3' x 48' metal fence.
• **93 No Elm St**: Permit B26-000061 approved for fence replacement and relocation. The new fence cannot exceed 8 feet in height. Total permitting and recording fees were $37.

Certificate of Compliance issued for 120 Lincoln Ave with zoning violations noted

The city issued a Certificate of Compliance for 120 Lincoln Ave on July 30, recording multiple zoning violations. The lot does not meet minimum size requirements. Lot coverage is 44%, below the 50% maximum allowed. The principal building violates the minimum side setback on the West side, and the driveway violates the side setback on the North side. Fence posts from a previously non-permitted fence will require future permitting. The property may continue its existing use if any future repairs or additions comply with regulations and obtain permits. The certificate is subject to a 15-day appeal period.

Downtown Board reviews summer events and Vibrancy Grant

The St. Albans Downtown Board and St. Albans for the Future met July 28 to review July's 250 Semiquincentennial Celebrations and plan upcoming events. Items on the agenda included the Church Street Celebration and Full Circle Market on August 8, and the Rotary Lucky Duck and Fountain Celebration on September 12. The board also discussed an update on the executed and approved Vibrancy Grant and an update on the SACA Mural. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **August 3 — Development Review Board**: Public hearings on three cases — a site plan review for a new unit above an existing dwelling at 30 North Elm St (Case 2026-008, R87 district), a conditional use review for a home industry at 59 Congress St (Case 2026-012, R87 district), and a combined conditional use and site plan review to demolish a residential building and create a parking lot at 51 Lower Newton St (Case 2026-013, S-IND Service-Industrial district).
• **August 4 — Belonging, Equity & Inclusion Committee**: A Community Connection session with Rural Community Transportation, discussion of an equity funding grant idea, an August 7 Welcome event at Bright Side, a proposed VT Inclusion Week in May 2027, and review of equity funding requests.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are documented as agenda-only items with minutes not yet published. Outcomes of votes and discussions described in agendas are not confirmed in the official record until minutes are published.

St. Albans roundup: City issues demolition permit, certificates of compliance; Planning Commission set for City Plan hearings tonight

St. Albans officials approved several building and demolition permits and issued certificates of compliance for residential properties over the past two weeks, while the Development Review Board and Belonging, Equity & Inclusion Committee held agenda-only sessions. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold public hearings tonight on amendments to the City Plan and Land Development Regulations.

Permits and certificates issued

The City approved a demolition permit (No. D26-000002) for the garage at 99 Lower Newton Street. The permit requires posting of notice on the property, compliance with Land Development Regulations, and periodic and final inspections. An appeal to the Development Review Board may be filed within 15 days, and the permit expires per Section 903 of the City Land Development Regulations.

A renovation/addition permit (No. B26-000059) was approved for 13 Oak St, owned by Mark Lane. Total permitting fees are $30, plus a $15 recording fee and $12 records management fee. The permit carries a 15-day appeal window to the Development Review Board and expires per Section 903.

Permit No. B26-000057 was issued on 7/7/2026 for an 8×28 front-deck addition at 48 Russell St. Total permitting and recording fees are $133, including a $15 clerk fee and $12 records fee. The notice must be posted at the property until the 15-day appeal period ends.

Permit B26-000050 was approved for a 6-foot fence around the backyard perimeter at 92 High St. Permit B26-000055 was approved for a 4-foot-deep seasonal above-ground pool at 271 Lake St.

Certificates of Compliance

A Certificate of Compliance was issued for 58 Nason St (Parcel 05478, Tax ID 26060058), classified as Residential-Single Dwelling with one dwelling unit. Owners are listed as Ryan Danforth Karb and Kiah Coble. The certificate confirms the property meets Land Development Regulations and may continue its existing use; a 15-day appeal period applies under VSA § 4465.

A Certificate of Compliance dated 07/14/2026 was issued for 20 Ferris St (Parcel 05478, Tax ID 25034020). The lot does not meet minimum size and width requirements, and the principal building fails the minimum west side setback. Owner Jennie Barnier may continue the current single-dwelling use or apply for permits for repairs or additions that remain conforming. A 15-day appeal period applies per 24 VSA Sec. 4465.

Development Review Board — July 6

The Development Review Board agenda listed public hearings on four site-plan applications: a new unit above the existing dwelling at 30 North Elm St (R87 Residential 8700 District); a second-floor office expansion at 44 Lower Newton St (S-IND Service-Industrial District); demolition of a garage and parking lot expansion at 26 Catherine St (B1 Central Business District, DR-1 Traditional Downtown Design Review, Historic Review District); and a waiver request for demolition and rebuild of a non-conforming garage at 11 Lakeview Terrace (R87 Residential 8700 District). Minutes were not yet published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Belonging, Equity & Inclusion Committee — July 7

The BEI Committee agenda included an update on police policies, discussion of an equity funding grant idea and funding requests, an August 6 Welcome event at Bright Side, a proposed VT Inclusion Week in May 2027, and an RCT public transit discussion scheduled for the August meeting. Minutes were not yet published.

Coming up

• **Planning Commission — today, July 20:** Public hearings on amendments to the St. Albans City Plan and Enhanced Energy Plan, and on amendments to the Land Development Regulations. The agenda also includes discussion of a rail trail extension, other regulatory amendments, and general business.
• **Development Review Board — August 3:** Public hearings on a site-plan review for a new unit above the dwelling at 30 North Elm St, a conditional-use review for a home industry at 59 Congress St, and a combined conditional-use and site-plan review to demolish a residential building and create a parking lot at 51 Lower Newton St.