Bennington Select Board Delays Decision on Vacant Property Ordinance

BENNINGTON, Vt. NewsWK — The Select Board in Bennington has postponed a vote on a proposed ordinance regarding vacant downtown properties, addressing concerns that the draft may appear anti-business. Local residents will have the opportunity to provide further input before the board revisits the proposal in a future meeting.

Community Input and Future Considerations

During the meeting, board members Ed Woods, Jackie Matts, and Chair Tom Haley expressed a desire to research and gather more comments on the ordinance. They aim to ensure that any revisions will not deter businesses from operating in town. The ordinance aims to implement escalating fees for commercial spaces that remain vacant for extended periods.

Town Manager Dan Monks emphasized the need for a strong ordinance that can be enforced effectively. “I do not want to waste staff time on something that is not going to be effective,” he stated, underlining the challenges landlords face in renting their available spaces.

Concerns About Attractiveness to Businesses

During public comment, Dimitri Garder, co-founder of Global-Z International Inc., warned that the ordinance could hinder efforts to attract new businesses to Bennington. He noted, “This proposal is not going to create demand [for downtown business space]. That’s its fundamental economic flaw.” Garder suggested focusing on making downtown more appealing to potential investors instead.

Bill Colvin, executive director of the Bennington County Regional Commission, acknowledged the importance of the ordinance but also advocated for a “good faith exemption” for landlords actively working to lease their properties. He suggested that rigorous conditions should be met to qualify for such exemptions, including demonstrating marketing efforts to attract tenants.

Understanding the Proposed Fees

The proposed ordinance requires commercial property owners to register vacant spaces with the town. The fee structure begins at $100 for the first year, escalating to $2,000 in the second year, and doubling each subsequent year until reaching $16,000 by the fifth year. After that, an additional $5,000 will be added each year the property remains vacant.

Planning Director David Conwill and other town officials have shared that addressing vacant properties was a significant concern expressed during a recent citizen survey. Currently, there are 24 vacant commercial spaces in downtown Bennington, with five owners actively pursuing improvements.

For more information on the ordinance and to view the latest draft, residents can visit the town’s website.

What’s Next?

The Select Board plans to reconvene to further evaluate the ordinance after gathering additional community feedback, ensuring that the final proposal supports both business interests and the vitality of downtown Bennington.