WELCOME TO THE TOWN PLAN UPDATE PAGE!
This page is a one stop shop for residents and community stakeholders for accessing information, materials from meetings, updates, and other resources related to the planning process. Thank you for taking the time to stay updated with what is happening in the community!
The Municipal Plan – What is it?
A municipal plan is a visionary document that impacts many factors of community development. As a long-term guide, the plan is a source of information that residents, organizations, community groups, municipal staff and officials can use to make informed decisions. Town Plans include an action plan that sets implementation steps to achieve the community’s vision. Plans are requirement in order to adopt/amend zoning and subdivision regulations, influence state regulatory processes under Act 250 and Certificates of Public Good, and to qualify for state and federal funding sources.
Municipal planning has existed in Bristol since the 1970’s, with the current Town Plan being adopted in 2020.
Plan Update – What is happening now?
In Vermont, plans are effective for 8-year cycles and are prepared by the Planning Commission. The current plan is set to expire in 2028. The Planning Commission and Town staff have begun the process of updating the plan. The goal is to have a draft plan ready for voters come March 2028.
Planning Commissions are responsible for drafting the plan; however, the community is vital to the process. Municipal plans are built from the shared vision and goals of the community. As the PC continues to work through the update process public participation is encouraged.
Bristol received funding from the Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) program, which is administered by Department of Housing and Community Development. With this funding Bristol has hired Dubois & King to assist with the update process.
MPG Kick Off – The Planning Commission and D&K will be kicking off this project on June 16th during the regular Planning Commission meeting. (June 16th Draft Meeting Minutes)
Resources & Materials
- General Planning & Development Survey: This survey ran from March to April. A total of 40 responses were received. The survey asked two questions: What matters most to you about Bristol’s future? AND Are you planning a future in Bristol, if yes what does it look like? The responses are available at the following links:
- May 9th Community Dinner: First community engagement event which included group discussions centered around community connectedness. Below are scans of the discussion sheets from this event.
Upcoming Community Event! Hope to see you there!
Interested in staying in the loop? Scan the QR code to the left or click the button below to sign up for the Town Plan newsletter.
Town Planning Tabling Activities
This activity asks participants to write their thoughts about what parts of Bristol should be CONSERVED (kept the same/protected); REVISED (altered slightly); TRANSFORMED (changed completely). Below are the responses from folks at various tabling events.
Want to provide your thoughts? Stop by the Planning Tent at the Bristol’s Farmers Market or send your thoughts to zoning@bristolvt.org with “TOWN PLAN ACTIVITY – CRT” as the subject line.
| Conserve | Revise | Transform |
| The small community feel. The downtown park/green space | Raised sidewalks on downtown main street | ADA accessibility all downtown stores + restaurants + park |
| The town green | connected trail system | ADA accessibility |
| Great Place! Wonderful park/green playground. Good restaurants. | Make Bathroom facility in park permanent | Expand Downtown Bike Paths More 3rd Spaces |
| Thriving downtown, women owned businesses | More childcare, pre-school options child activities | Splash Pad |
| Bristol Falls | don’t spend $ fixing the top of the fountain BUT we love the fountain. we <3 it! | Bike Lane(s) |
| Monkey bars & Skatepark | add water fountain to the park | Mixed Use trail alongside 116 |
| the small community feel. The downtown park/greenspace | I would like if Simon Says got more room | pool water slide and water park |
| regular, reliable, joyful community building events | More childcare options. More activities geared toward younger children/families | housing at all levels of affordability |
| public building access – library, town hall | More Sidewalk | maker space |
| gazebo | Movie in the park | expand tri-valley transit to include weekends |
| no data centers. no ICE | Rec fields for youth sports need update | Utilize the H.S. (and pool) more often (like everyday!) for regular community offerings (classes, rec dept) |
| Local source of clean water owned locally. not dependent on electronic management that can be hacked | add water fountain to park | community kitchen (for social events/business) ex. CLiCK Willimantic |
| no corporations. love small town businesses | another grocery store – small IGA (independent grocers association) | outdoor pool! |
| library + playground + town green + elementary school + HUB + skate park + pump track Bristol Ledge Trail + BTN | perhaps more community spirit/community education activities at the HUB | internship + job support – help people living in Bristol find/create jobs (in person + virtual) |
| more water fountains in the parks Bathrooms, too! | cross-class opportunities to connect | |
| we need a bagel and donut place! | ||
| More sidewalks | disc golf |