2026 Village Master Plan Project

During the initial discussion of the Steering Committee the group identified several high priority topics:

Housing & infrastructure

What do we need for new housing in the village?
Where might it go?
How does this relate to available and potential infrastructure?

Bicycle / Pedestrian / Road safety

Sidewalks & crosswalks
Traffic calming options
Specific corridors like Rt 5 S and missing connectors

Business and community vibrancy in the core village

How healthy are our current businesses? How can we help?
What are we missing that could be encouraged?
What would build vibrancy in the core?
Tracy Hall / town offices
Recreation fields

Events
Over the next 8 weeks, we plan to hold a number of events to encourage maximum participation.
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… link to full document …

Study Area:
The historic village of Norwich, and approximately northwards to Huntley Meadow and Moore Lane Bridge, and outwards along Union Village Road, eastward to River Road and the historical Lewiston neighborhood, and south along US Route 5 to the Town line. The plan will encompass the Norwich Grange Hall, Jones Circle, Tracy Hall, and the Norwich Farmers’ market as thematic points of interest.

Purpose:
Norwich will undertake a robust, inclusive planning process to develop a Village Master Plan. The project will be led by the Norwich Planning Commission, in partnership with the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, and will be conducted through the formation of a steering committee. A professional planning consultant will be hired to facilitate public engagement, analyze existing conditions, and draft the plan. The process will include:

Steering Committee Members
Jaan Laaspere, Christian Spalding, Brendan Classon, Andrew Torkelson, Jess Phelps, Brian Loeb, Alec Orenstein, Elena Kennedy, Sheridan Zimmer, Anne Sargent, Cole Flannery, Lucinda Walker

Agendas
093026 Agenda for the 4th meeting of the Village Master Plan Steering Committee