Phoenix Ashby and Syed Raza are students at Saint Michael’s College. This article is published through a collaboration between The Winooski News and a journalism course at Saint Michael’s College.
WINOOSKI — Attendees, both in-person and on Zoom, showed up to the Winooski City Council Meeting on April 6 to ask questions and voice concerns about the recent construction of a multi-story housing unit built in a residential area on Franklin Street, as well as an upcoming project on the same street.
Some attendees questioned how the 12 Franklin Street project was approved, saying the city’s administrative review process does not offer residents sufficient transparency or control over large projects before they pass.
“You have every right to be angry with me. I caused a lot of harm, but I want you to show up and tell it to my face. I do want to make it right at the end of the day,” said Director of City Planning Ravi Venkataraman, who approved the permit for 12 Franklin Street prior to the meeting.
Highlighted concerns included zoning issues, questions about whether these units qualify as low-income housing and a lack of transparency regarding the decision-making process behind new developments.
Some neighbors said they did not object to new housing in Winooski, but the specific project was not appropriate for the area and has had long-term effects on the residents living near the project.
Jared Miller, who lives on Franklin Street, learned in 2024 that new housing units were approved for development next to his house. Miller, who has worked as a general contractor for the past 20 years, said that the documents he and other neighbors received detailing the project did not reflect what was built.
“There needs to be transparency,” he said. “In this instance, there was none.”
With the apartments completed, Miller said his family is facing the consequences.
“The building towers over our house, so ice, water run-off goes directly into our house. They poured the driveway against the fence,” he said.
“That project was botched,” Miller said. How are we supposed to have any faith that 8 Franklin is going to be run better?”
Venkataraman said that there was a mistake in the Franklin Street project when the permit was reviewed. He has apologized to residents and said he has been enhancing his review process by using improved checklists and coordination. The city is also trying to develop more understandable development regulations via the Planning Commission, according to Venkataraman.
Kate Coffey, a Manseau Street resident, petitioned the council to stop any further administrative review of projects.
“I’m asking you to consider a third-party review,” she said.
She also asked the council to consider a stop-work order on 8 Franklin Street, publish a transcript or tape of a recent Planning Commission meeting and reconsider the plan to render home ownership in the Armory project non-existent.
Frustrations were echoed by other residents.
“I think it’s a real shame,” said Judy Lance, adding that projects like this can hurt property values and change neighborhoods.
Sarah Miller of Franklin Street said that she and her husband did not initially object to the project.
“We know there’s a need for housing, but this is going to affect our property,” she said, adding that the absence of setbacks and the size of the building could harm their property and decrease its value.
According to Jennifer Corrigan, a daycare owner in Winooski, long-term problems had arisen because of the past development around her house. She asked the city to take a closer look at how the projects are assessed prior to construction.
“Once they’re built, you can never take them down,” she said.
Michele Wheeler of Dion Street related the Franklin Street problem to the wider development issues in Winooski. She questioned whether 12 Franklin Street was affordable housing and wanted further disclosures as to why some projects are undertaken by administrative approval as opposed to the Development Review Board.
Wheeler also criticized the new changes to the planned Armory project, stating that the removal of the homeownership element and the retention of the high-density, multi-unit structures were not what many residents approved.
Each unit at 12 Franklin Street is currently listed between an estimated $400,000-$439,000 by Darcy Handy of RE/MAX North Professionals.
“Unlike something like Champlain Housing Trust, which keeps it in perpetuity, this is a developer,” Wheeler said. “I could buy that $400,000 thing tomorrow and resell it and make profit and not have it be low-income housing.”
The permits for two of the three units at 12 Franklin will be held up until the necessary paperwork is finished to ensure that they are affordable for 20 years at 100% Area Median Income.
“Those are the only two projects that have been approved in this fashion, through the administrative approval for affordable housing,” Venkataraman said.
Though there were no actionable decisions on Monday night, the unusually long period of public comment illustrated that development oversight, neighborhood suitability and openness in the process of approvals remains a big concern to many Winooski residents.
Residents have another chance to voice their opinion on Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m., when sketch plans on the 8 Franklin Street units will be presented to the Development Review Board.