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zombienutz1 t1_j7o6ke2 wrote

Reply to comment by BudsKind802 in How Can We The Increase Affordable Housing Supply? Ideas? by twentiesforever

PUDs have lot size requirements and typically can't squeeze extra houses in or else they fall into a different zoning category that may not be available in that same area. I know several homeowners who have taken advantage of PUDs and added two 3-4 bedroom houses on 1/3 acre. Yeah, it may not make a big dent but there is no "all or nothing" solution so every bit counts.

Realistically all of the 1-2 bedroom apartments being built aren't needed as much as 3+ bedrooms. It doesn't allow for families to stick around here. Act 250 holds up development, increases costs of building, replacing a sign or something small on an existing structure can trigger Act 250 permitting. Yeah, a lot of developers suck but denser housing in downtowns, as you say, won't build itself.

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BudsKind802 t1_j7o7g6a wrote

A number of towns in VT have PUD density bonus for reaching a better environmental practices, public good projects, and even for more open space.

Developers need a carrot and stick method to "encourage" them to build denser housing. Otherwise they will keep building homes out of the reach of most Vermonters.

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HappilyhiketheHump t1_j7poa1p wrote

Because density has its own cost. Particularly waste water and storm water management.

Outside of the bigger towns, most of vermont doesn’t have the infrastructure for density.

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