Bill text
Compare versions
--- version:As IntroducedOpens in a new window+++ version:(document, no version)@@ -1,311 +1,227 @@-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 1 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-H.508 1-Introduced by Representative Hooper of Burlington 2-Referred to Committee on 3-Date: 4-Subject: Municipal and county government; municipal charters; City of 5-Burlington; amendments 6-Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to approve 7-amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington to authorize the City 8-Council to adopt ordinances governing the requirement for landlords to 9-provide notice to residential tenants prior to the termination of a tenancy, to 10-repeal the codified ward boundaries within the charter, and to authorize the 11-City Council to reapportion the City wards. 12-An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of 13-Burlington 14-It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 15-Sec. 1. CHARTER AMENDMENT APPROVAL 16-The General Assembly approves the amendments to the charter of the City 17-of Burlington as set forth in this act. Voters approved the proposals of 18-amendment on March 4, 2025. 19-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 2 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-Sec. 2. 24 App. V.S.A. chapter 3 is amended to read: 1-CHAPTER 3. CITY OF BURLINGTON 2-* * * 3-§ 2. ELECTION BOUNDARIES 4-(a) City districts described. For the annual meeting of 2024 and all City 5-elections thereafter, the City of Burlington is divided into four electoral 6-districts, constituted as follows: 7-(1) East District. The East District shall include all that part of said City 8-lying easterly and northerly of the following described boundaries: Beginning 9-at the common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and Winooski in the 10-Winooski River beneath the Central Vermont Railway bridge downstream of 11-the Lower Winooski Falls and Salmon Hole; thence westerly in the centerline 12-of said railroad tracks for 406.6 feet to a point where the centerline of Intervale 13-Road extended northerly intersects said railroad track centerline 14-(approximately -73.2028 longitude, 44.4911 latitude); thence southerly along 15-the extension of the centerline of Intervale Road, crossing Riverside Avenue 16-until the centerline intersects with that of the Archibald Street centerline 17-extended easterly; thence westerly along the Archibald Street centerline until 18-the intersection of the Archibald Street centerline and the North Willard Street 19-centerline; thence southerly along the North Willard Street Centerline until the 20-intersection of the North Willard Street centerline and the Pearl Street 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 3 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-Centerline; thence westerly along the Pearl Street centerline until intersecting 1-with the South Winooski Avenue centerline; thence southerly along the South 2-Winooski Avenue centerline until intersecting the Maple Street centerline; 3-thence easterly along the Maple Street centerline for 1573.5 feet to a point 4-where the eastern property boundary of 315 Maple Street extended northerly 5-intersects Maple Street (approximately -73.2064 longitude, 44.4739 latitude); 6-thence southerly along the eastern property boundary of 315 Maple Street for 7-276.5 feet (approximately -73.2064 longitude, 44.4734 latitude); thence 281.4 8-feet westerly to a point where the southern property boundary of 315 Maple 9-Street extended westerly intersect with the western boundary of 251 South 10-Willard Street extended northerly (approximately -73.2071 longitude, 44.4733 11-latitude), thence 723.7 feet 177° southerly to a point where it intersects the 12-southern property boundary of 285 South Willard Street extended westerly 13-(approximately -73.2071 longitude, 44.4719 latitude); thence easterly along the 14-southern boundary of 285 South Willard Street for 696.5 feet until intersecting 15-with the South Willard Street centerline (approximately -73.2051 longitude, 16-44.472 latitude); thence northerly along the South Willard Street centerline for 17-220.9 feet (approximately -73.2052 longitude, 44.4724 latitude); thence 18-easterly along the southern property boundary of 262 South Willard Street for 19-557.6 feet (approximately -73.2037 longitude. 44.4725 latitude); thence 20-northerly along the eastern property boundary of 262 South Willard Street for 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 4 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-89.6 feet to a point where the Juniper Terrace centerline extended westerly 1-intersects the eastern property boundary of 262 South Willard Street 2-(approximately 73.2037 longitude, 44.4726 latitude); thence following the 3-Juniper Terrace centerline easterly until intersecting with the Summit Street 4-centerline (approximately -73.2021 longitude, 44.4727 latitude); thence 5-northerly along the Summit Street centerline until reaching the centerline of 6-Main Street thence following the Main Street centerline easterly 2339.6 feet 7-(approximately -73.1964 longitude, 44.4753 latitude); thence southwesterly 8-214° for 136.1 feet (approximately -73.1966 longitude, 44.4751 latitude); 9-thence southeasterly 98.2 feet (approximately -73.1964 longitude, 44.4749 10-latitude); thence southwesterly by 213° for 770 feet (approximately -73.1975 11-longitude, 44.4737 latitude); thence southeasterly by 123° for 477.4 feet until 12-intersecting with the University Heights centerline (approximately -73.1964 13-longitude, 44.4732 latitude); thence southerly along the centerline of 14-University Heights Road 1221.65 feet until intersecting with the PFG Road 15-centerline, thence westerly by 79° until intersecting with the common 16-boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington. 17-(2) Central District. The Central District shall include all that part of the 18-City bounded as follows: On the east, beginning at the common boundary 19-between the City of Burlington and Town of Colchester in the Winooski River 20-at a point intersecting with the centerline of Institute Road extended 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 5 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-northeasterly (approximately -73.2147 longitude, 44.5089 latitude); thence 1-southerly along the common boundary between the City of Burlington and 2-Town of Colchester in the Winooski River to a point beneath the Central 3-Vermont Railway bridge downstream of the Lower Winooski Falls and 4-Salmon Hole; thence westerly along the East District northern boundary for 5-406.6 feet to its intersection with the westerly boundary of the East District; 6-thence southerly along the westerly boundary of the East District to its 7-intersection with the centerline of Archibald Street, then southerly along the 8-East District western boundary to the intersection with the centerline of Pearl 9-Street; thence westerly along the northern boundary of the East District to the 10-intersection with the centerline of South Winooski Avenue; thence southerly 11-along the western boundary of the East District to the centerline of Maple 12-Street; thence westerly along the centerline of Maple Street until its 13-intersection with the centerline of South Champlain street; thence northerly 14-along the South Champlain Street centerline until its intersection with the 15-centerline of King Street; on the south along the centerline of King Street 16-extended westerly to Lake Champlain; on the west by Lake Champlain; on the 17-north, beginning at the intersection of the common property boundary between 18-87 North Avenue and 9 Lakeview Terrace extended westerly to Lake 19-Champlain (approximately -73.2252 longitude, 44.4832 latitude); thence 20-northeasterly along the extended property boundary between 87 North Avenue 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 6 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-and 9 Lakeview Terrace to its intersection with the centerline of the Central 1-Vermont Railway railroad track (approximately -73.2239 longitude, 44.4837 2-latitude); thence northerly and easterly along the centerline of the Central 3-Vermont Railway railroad track, crossing North Avenue and the Burlington 4-Beltline, to its intersection with the centerline of Spring Street extended 5-northwesterly (approximately -73.2183 longitude, 44.4912 latitude); thence 6-northwesterly along the extension of the centerline of Spring Street to its 7-intersection with the centerline of Institute Road extended northeasterly 8-(approximately -73.2281 longitude, 44.4995 latitude); thence northeasterly 9-along the extension of the centerline of Institute Road extended to its 10-intersection with the common boundary between the City of Burlington and 11-Town of Colchester in the Winooski River (approximately -73.2139 longitude, 12-44.5077 latitude). 13-(3) South District. The South District shall include all that part of the 14-City south of the southern boundaries of the East and Central Districts. 15-(4) North District. The North District shall include all that part of the 16-City north of the northern boundary of the Central District. 17-(b) Wards described. Each of the City of Burlington’s four electoral 18-districts set forth in subsection (a) of this section hereby comprises two wards, 19-each of which is constituted as follows: 20-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 7 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-(1) East District—Ward 1 and Ward 8. 1-(A) The East District is divided into two wards by the following 2-boundary: Beginning at the center of the intersection of Brooks Avenue and 3-South Willard Street; thence easterly along the Brooks Avenue centerline until 4-intersecting with the centerline of North Prospect Street; thence southerly 5-along the centerline of North prospect Street to the intersection of the 6-centerline of Colchester Avenue to the intersection of the centerline of Mary 7-Fletcher Drive; thence southerly along the centerline of Mary Fletcher Drive 8-for 331.58 feet (approximately -73.196 longitude, 44.4802 latitude); thence 9-southerly along the western side and easterly along the southern side of the 10-UVM Medical Center building for 1854.5 feet until a point at the center of the 11-intersection of Beaumont Avenue and Mary Fletcher Drive (approximately -12-73.1932 longitude, 44.4788 latitude); thence south along the Beaumont 13-Avenue centerline to the intersection of Carrigan Drive; thence following 14-Carrigan Drive westerly for 199.1 feet (approximately -73.1932 longitude, 15-55.5756 latitude); thence travelling southwesterly for 821.3 feet along the 16-UVM service road on the eastern border of the southeastern wing of the UVM 17-Jeffords Hall until a point at the intersection of the service road and the 18-centerline of University Heights extended northeasterly (approximately -19-73.1947 longitude, 44.4751 latitude); thence southwesterly along the centerline 20-of University Heights 977.3 feet (approximately -73.1962 longitude, 44.4735 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 8 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-latitude); thence continuing southeasterly along the centerline of the driveway 1-bounding the western side of the UVM Living/Learning Commons for 404.3 2-feet (approximately -73.1952 longitude, 44.4731 latitude); thence continuing 3-south along the eastern side of UVM’s University Heights dorms until 4-intersecting with PFG Road; thence continuing easterly along the western 5-extension of the PFG Road centerline for 601.2 feet until intersecting with the 6-common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington. 7-(B) Ward 1 lies to the north and east of the boundary described in 8-subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1), and Ward 8 lies to the south and west. 9-(2) Central District—Ward 2 and Ward 3. 10-(A) The Central District is divided into two wards by the following 11-boundary: Beginning at the intersection of the common property boundary 12-between 85 North Avenue and 9 Lakeview Terrace extended westerly to Lake 13-Champlain (approximately -73.2252 longitude, -44.4832 latitude); thence 14-northeasterly along the extended property boundary between 87 North Avenue 15-and 9 Lakeview Terrace to its intersection with the centerline of the Central 16-Vermont Railway railroad track (approximately -73.224 longitude, 44.4837 17-latitude); thence southeasterly along the centerline of the Central Vermont 18-Railway railroad track to a point intersecting with the northwestern property 19-boundary of 300 Lake Street extended southwesterly (approximately -73.2234 20-longitude, 44.4832 latitude); thence northeasterly to a point at the intersection 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 9 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-of the northwestern property boundary of 300 Lake Street extended 1-northeasterly with the centerline of Depot Street (approximately -73.2223 2-longitude, 44.4837 latitude); thence northerly along the centerline of Depot 3-Street to the intersection with the centerline of Lakeview Terrace; thence 4-easterly along the centerline of Lakeview Terrace extended westerly until 5-intersecting with the centerline of North Avenue; thence northerly along the 6-centerline of North Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of North 7-Street; thence easterly along the centerline of North Street until intersecting 8-with the North Union Street centerline; thence southerly following the North 9-Union Street centerline until intersecting with the Loomis Street centerline; 10-thence easterly along the Loomis Street centerline to the intersection of the 11-centerlines of Loomis Street and South Willard Avenue. 12-(B) Ward 2 lies to the north of the boundary described in subdivision 13-(A) of this subdivision (2), and Ward 3 lies to the south. 14-(3) South District—Ward 5 and Ward 6. 15-(A) The South District is divided into two wards by the following 16-boundary: Beginning at the intersection of the centerlines of Maple Street and 17-Church Street; thence southerly along the centerline of Church Street to the 18-intersection with the centerline of Adams Street; thence westerly along the 19-centerline of Adams Street to the intersection with the centerline of Saint Paul 20-Street; thence southerly along the Saint Paul Street centerline to its intersection 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 10 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-with the centerline of Shelburne Street; thence southerly along the centerline of 1-Shelburne Street to its intersection with the centerline of Flynn Avenue; thence 2-easterly along the centerline of Flynn Avenue extended easterly to the common 3-boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington. 4-(B) Ward 5 lies to the west of the boundary described in subdivision 5-(A) of this subdivision (3), and Ward 6 lies to the east. 6-(4) North District—Ward 4 and Ward 7. 7-(A) The North District is divided into two wards by the following 8-boundary: Beginning at the centerline of Institute Road extended southwesterly 9-to Lake Champlain; thence northeasterly to the intersection of Institute Road 10-with the centerline of North Avenue; thence northerly along the centerline of 11-North Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of Fairfield Drive; thence 12-westerly along the centerline of Fairfield Drive to its intersection with the 13-western property boundary of 39 Westward Drive extended southerly 14-(approximately -73.2685 longitude, 44.5257 latitude); thence northerly along 15-the western property boundary of 39 Westward Drive, until intersecting with 16-the centerline of Westward Drive; thence southwesterly along the centerline of 17-Westward Drive to the intersection with the Northshore Drive centerline; 18-thence northerly along the Northshore Drive centerline until intersecting with 19-the Clair Pointe Road centerline (point); thence westerly along the southern 20-property boundary of the Claire Pointe condominium development 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 11 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-(approximately -73.2686 longitude, 44.5286 latitude), and then extended to 1-Lake Champlain. 2-(B) Ward 4 lies to the west of the boundary described in subdivision 3-(A) of this subdivision (4), and Ward 7 lies to the east. 4-(5) Ward map reference. Reference is also made to a map entitled “Ward 5-Redistricting, 8 Wards — 4 Districts, 12 Councilors, Approved Map 6-(December 2 V1.3), Map Date: December 8, 2022 “ located in the Burlington 7-Chief Administrative Officer’s office in further aid of the description of the 8-wards set forth in this subsection. 9-The election area boundaries established pursuant to 2023 Acts and 10-Resolves No. M-7 shall remain in effect until changed by the City Council, 11-which is authorized to make changes from time to time to the boundaries of the 12-election areas in order to provide an equal division of population among them 13-in accordance with data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. Election area 14-changes shall not be made more frequently than once in five years. Changes 15-shall be approved by the voters at an annual or special meeting of the City and 16-shall become effective immediately upon approval unless a later date is 17-established by the City meeting vote. 18-* * * 19-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 12 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-§ 48. ENUMERATED 1-The City Council shall have power: 2-* * * 3-(64)(A) Where there is no written rental agreement and notwithstanding 4-9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), to prohibit, by ordinance, a landlord from terminating a 5-tenancy of rental housing within the City for no cause unless the landlord 6-provides to the tenant written notice of at least 90 days when the tenancy has 7-been less than two years and of at least 120 days when the tenancy has been 8-two years or more Notwithstanding 9 V.S.A. § 4467 or any other law, to adopt 9-by ordinance requirements that landlords provide residential tenants notice 10-prior to the termination of residential tenancies, including requirements for the 11-contents and timing of a notice of termination. The requirements may include 12-special notice requirements for vulnerable populations, including tenants who 13-are older Vermonters, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with low 14-income. 15-(B) Unless inconsistent with a written rental agreement or otherwise 16-provided by law, and notwithstanding the provisions of Notwithstanding 9 17-V.S.A. § 4456(d) or any other law to the contrary, to require adopt, by 18-ordinance, requirements that residential tenants who wish to terminate a 19-residential tenancy to give actual notice to the landlord at least two rental 20-periods prior to the termination date specified in the notice provide landlords 21-BILL AS INTRODUCED H.508-2025 Page 13 of 13--VT LEG #382533 v.1-notice prior to termination of residential tenancies, including requirements for 1-the contents and timing of a notice of termination. 2-(65) To Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, to prohibit 3-increases in rent or other changes in lease terms for rental housing within the 4-City without advance written notice of at least 90 days. The timing, contents, 5-and manner of giving advance written notice shall be established by ordinance. 6-The ordinance may include special notice requirements for vulnerable 7-populations, including tenants who are older Vermonters, individuals with 8-disabilities, and individuals with low income. 9-* * * 10-Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 11-This act shall take effect on passage. 12+H.508 (Act M-8)++An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Sponsors:++Rep. Robert Hooper,++Last Recorded Action: 4/29/2026 - House message: Governor approved bill on April 27, 2026++Committee Activity - Meeting Full List++Regular Session 2025-2026++Wednesday, April 30, 2025++ Committee(s):++ House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,++ 11:05 AM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Introduction and walk-through++ Robert Hooper, Sponsor++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++Thursday, May 15, 2025++ Committee(s):++ House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,++ 9:30 AM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Testimony++ Jessica Brown, City Attorney, Burlington++ Erik Ramakrishnan, Attorney, Burlington++Wednesday, May 21, 2025++ Committee(s):++ House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,++ 9:30 AM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Testimony++ Carter Neubieser, City Councilor, Burlington++ Peter Tucker, Advocacy & Public Policy Director, Vermont Association of Realtors++ Angela Zaikowski, Director, Vermont Landlord Association++Wednesday, January 7, 2026++ Committee(s):++ House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,++ 9:30 AM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Bill introduction++ Robert Hooper, Sponsor++ 10:00 AM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Committee discussion++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++ Jessica Brown, City Attorney, Burlington++ Erik Ramakrishnan, Attorney, Burlington++ Ben Traverse, Counsel, Burlington City Council++Wednesday, January 21, 2026++ Committee(s):++ House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,++ 1:20 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Mark-up and possible vote++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++Tuesday, February 3, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 1:15 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Charter changes++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++ Robert Hooper, Sponsor++Wednesday, February 4, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 2:30 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++ Robert Hooper, Sponsor++Thursday, February 12, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 1:45 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++Wednesday, February 18, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 1:30 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++ Jessica Brown, City Attorney, Burlington++ Erik Ramakrishnan, Assistant City Attorney, Burlington++ Robert Hooper, Sponsor++ Gene Bergman, City Council Member, Burlington++Friday, February 27, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 1:00 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Finalize Amendment++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++Tuesday, March 17, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 2:00 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Committee Discussion++ 2:40 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Continued Discussion++ Tucker Anderson, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel++Wednesday, April 1, 2026++ Committee(s):++ Senate Committee on Government Operations,++ 3:30 PM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Amendment, Vote++ Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, Sponsor++Tuesday, April 14, 2026++ Committee(s):++ House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,++ 9:30 AM++H.508 - An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Burlington++Senate proposal of amendment walk-through and straw poll++ Cameron Wood, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Diffs are computed deterministically from extracted bill text and show additions, deletions, and section moves. Scanned-PDF text extracted via OCR is flagged where confidence is low; see methodology.