Planning and Growth in Waterbury
Waterbury organized its planning and zoning in 1980 with the development of a Municipal Plan and town-wide Zoning Regulations. The Municipal Plan was most recently re-approved in 2008. The 2008 Municipal Plan is a model document providing a balanced approach to development, environmental conservation, and historic preservation. The Waterbury Zoning Regulations reflect the applicable goals, objectives and actions in the Municipal Plan. In addition to revising the Municipal Plan, the Town and Village have undertaken numerous special planning studies since 1991 that address transportation, housing, and other community development issues.
Development Goals
Waterbury seeks to continue attracting new business and industry, while encouraging and facilitating the growth and expansion of existing businesses. We would like to attract new residents while maintaining and enhancing our high quality of life and community spirit. We plan to grow at a moderate and steady rate which our community services and resources can reasonably accommodate. New growth must be non-polluting, positioned in appropriate locations, and co-exist in harmony with Waterbury's scenic character and natural environment.
Town & Edward Farrar Utility District
The Town of Waterbury includes the Edward Farrar Utility District within the Town's boundary, even though the Utility District is a separately incorporated municipality with its own separate legislative body, the Edward Farrar Utility District Commissioners. The District has certain additional services such as a public sewer and water systems. Although the Town and District are separate municipalities, the two are geographically, socially, economically, and politically intertwined with many shared services and common municipal staff.
Downtown Revitalization
Waterbury has a very successful downtown revitalization program. Downtown Designation was obtained from the state in 2006. The historic downtown was given new life in 2006 with the reconstruction of the Waterbury Railroad Station. This project was a cooperative effort involving the Town and Village of Waterbury, Revitalizing Waterbury, Inc., and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
Another key element in the downtown revitalization program has been the development of Pilgrim Industrial Park, including a series of expansions of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) facilities. GMCR alone has added over 600 new jobs in Waterbury since 1993, with many other smaller industries expanding and being established over the same time period. During this same time, the growth and health of our downtown area has been reflected in many other areas of the Town with the establishment of many small businesses, and commercial and residential new construction and renovation. We have also been successful over the past 20 years in the creation of affordable housing in both the Village of Waterbury and in the Town of Waterbury, outside of the Village. We are experiencing a general increase in tourism activity in Waterbury with more people staying, shopping and recreating in our community during all seasons of the year.