Connect the Junction Transit-Oriented Development Master Plan
Project Status
The Connect the Junction Master Plan was adopted by the City Council on December 17, 2025. The project team is now developing recommended zoning updates to put the plan into action, including a new form-based code and updates to design standards. These recommendations are expected to be ready for City Council consideration in spring 2026.
About the Project
The City of Essex Junction is creating a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Master Plan for the City Center and Pearl Street Corridor. Both areas are served by Green Mountain Transit’s Route 2 bus, one of Vermont’s most frequent all-day transit services. TOD focuses on creating walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly communities, making it easier for residents to access work, shopping, and recreation without relying solely on cars.
The plan builds on previous planning efforts to encourage thoughtful growth, diverse housing options, and improved multi-modal transportation.
Through community engagement, the project team developed strategies for:
- New land uses and redevelopment opportunities
- Expansion and enhancement of public spaces
- Improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders
The next step is drafting zoning updates, including form-based codes, design standards, and other regulatory changes, to support the plan’s vision.
Topics to Know
Two topics in the plan have received particular attention:
Building Heights
- Proposed changes along the Pearl Street Corridor allow up to 9 stories by right, plus one bonus story for affordable housing projects. These additional stories are intended to help the City meet its housing targets and address the ongoing housing shortage.
- Heights in the Village Center District vary: 4+1 stories in historic areas, 7+1 in most of the district, and 9+1 between Park Street and Maple Street.
- Design standards and form-based codes will help integrate taller buildings with the surrounding environment while mitigating impacts on lower-density residential areas.
Five Corners Traffic Pattern Change
- The plan calls for redirecting traffic between Main and Park Streets through the new Railroad Street and restricting the Main-to-Park movement at the Five Corners intersection.
- Any traffic changes will require a detailed engineering study in the coming years and City Council approval before implementation.
Learn More & Get Involved
For detailed documents, past meeting materials, and upcoming opportunities to provide input, visit the project website below.