Design Review Committee

About the Committee

The Design Review Committee's role is to make recommendations on matters concerning exterior alterations to land or properties in the Design Control District. See Design Review Committee Rules of Procedure here.

The goals of the Design Review Overlay District are as follows:

To preserve the City’s irreplaceable historic resources, its built environment, and historic settlement pattern.
To promote and support new development projects that are compatible with and complement the City’s historic architecture.
To retain a strong sense of place for residents and visitors and foster civic pride in the beauty of the City’s historic and cultural heritage.
To safeguard the City’s cultural landscape and significant viewsheds including gateway views of the City and State Capitol.

The Committee is also available to applicants and citizens for design consultations well in advance of the actual submission of an application. Such early discussions with the Committee are encouraged and may provide new ideas, ensure compliance with the Design Review criteria, and save time and money before more formal steps are taken.

The Design Review Overlay District shall consist of all lands depicted in Design Review Overlay District, see map below, on the official City of Montpelier Zoning Map kept on file in the Department of the Planning and Community Development and incorporated into these Regulations.

The Design review criteria are found in Section 220 of the Montpelier Unified Development Regulations.

For assistance in meeting the criteria contact the Department of Planning and Community Development

Meetings

The Design Review Committee meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Periodically the meeting date and location have to change due to conflicting meetings and holidays, etc. To see the upcoming meetings and related applications look here. The Committee usually meets in the Council Chambers (although the location is subject to change), and the meetings are later broadcast on ORCA channel 17. All meeting rooms and facilities in City Hall are accessible to persons with disabilities, including headphones in the Council Chambers for persons with hearing impairments. For evening meetings, the rear entrance to the building should be used.

Members are urged to let staff know as early as possible if they will be unable to attend a scheduled meeting so arrangements can be made to ensure a quorum.

Members

The Design Review Committee consists of up to 5 members and 2 alternates having knowledge and interest in design, architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design, historic preservation, archaeology, or the historic development of the community. Appointments are made by the City Council for 3 year terms. To apply to serve on this committee see here.

Stephen Everett, Chair
Term expires: 9/9/2023
Eric Gilbertson, Vice Chair
Term expires: 9/9/2023
Benjamin Cheney
Term expires: 10/14/2023
Martha Smyrski
Term expires: 01/12/2025
Liz Pritchett, Alternate
Term expires: 01/12/2025
Vacant - Interested Citizens Apply here
Vacant, Alternate - Interested Citizens Apply Here