Jessica Roberts served as Land Use, Planning and Zoning Administrator for multiple towns in Southern Vermont. Additional experience on the Legislative Committee of the Vermont Planners Association provides insight into how state legislation and policy shape local development.

This background helps property owners, developers, and communities navigate Vermont’s complex regulations and changing rules; so projects can move forward without unnecessary delays or hurdles.

Work often includes early review of plans and bylaws, or stepping in once issues arise. Special focus areas include unlocking grants, tax incentives, and funding programs, particularly for senior and affordable housing.

Expert support from planning through final approval.

Here’s where that experience helps:

• Staying up-to-date with frequent changes in local bylaws and state rules to spot both opportunities for greater development and potential concerns early; before work begins.  
• Deciphering technical requirements and preparing for hearings and meetings with stakeholders, town officials, and state agencies.  
• Developing site plans, mitigation strategies, and clear compliance paths; including waivers, variances, flood hazard areas, lake shorelands, river corridors, brownfields, and other complex issues.  
• Resolving existing zoning violations and bringing properties back into compliance quickly and professionally by coordinating with town officials and state agencies on issues such as impervious surface or vegetative area calculations, best management practices (BMPs), and site plan updates.  
• Stacking and braiding federal, state, and local housing incentives, tax credits, grants, and infrastructure programs to turn complex or challenging projects into feasible, fundable developments; especially workforce, senior, and market-rate housing in Southern Vermont. See an example of stacked incentives here.