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DECEMBER 26, 2019
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
Scenes of ‘19
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COMMUNITY GUIDE TO WILLISTON
Presenting a monthly look at what made news in Williston this last year of the decade By Jason Starr Observer staff
January
Northridge approved, appealed
BlackRock Construction of South Burlington overcomes neighbor objections to win Act 250 approval for a 21-home development off Metcalf Drive called “Northridge.” The approval is for the first phase of the development, which, at buildout is slated for 40 homes on an undeveloped 44-acre parcel. BlackRock previously received phase 1 approval from the Williston Development Review Board. Residents of the nearby Southridge neighborhood — Lori Marino and Brian Biunno — appeal the Act 250 approval in a case that remains pending at year’s end in Chittenden County Environmental Court. Marino and Biunno contend the new homes will unduly impact wildlife, water quality and traffic. Environmental Court Judge Thomas Walsh orders BlackRock to hold off on construction until the case is resolved.
Deadline: Dec. 27 Marianne@willistonobserver.com or call 872-9000 x118
Town’s largest pot bust; misdemeanor plea deal
The Williston Police Department seizes 15 pounds of processed pot, 29 marijuana plants and about $7,000 in cash from a home on St. George Road, calling it the largest pot bust in the town’s history. The bust follows an eight-month investigation that involved monitoring power consumption at the home. Resident James Gram is charged with felony possession and cultivation of marijuana, but, in a plea deal, is convicted of misdemeanor cultivation. With no prior criminal record, he is placed on 90 days probation and agrees to donate the $7,000 seized to a charity of his choice: Spectrum Youth Services. The plea deal comes as Vermont’s marijuana laws are in flux, with cultivation and possession of a small amount of marijuana
becoming legal earlier in the year, legislators considering a broader legalization bill in 2020 and state’s attorneys offices actively expunging misdemeanor possession convictions. “The current law is not going to be permanent,” Chittenden County Deputy State’s Attorney Frank Paulino says.
February
Local developer buys GlobalFoundries parcel
Following GlobalFoundries’ late 2018 announcement of plans to sell off the Williston side of its campus, local developer Adams Properties snaps up the first 41-acre parcel. The acreage, on the south side of Mountain View Road, is the only residentially zoned parcel in the company’s portfolio. In total, the micro-chip manufacturer, whose campus is primarily located on the other side of the Winooski River in Essex, has 440 acres for sale in Williston. Jason Adams of Adams Properties says the plan is to build nine houses and a daycare facility on the property.
Observer courtesy illustration
A rendering of the facade of the Healthy Living Market and Cafe that broke ground this year at Finney Crossing.
Route 2, across from Maple Tree Place, and is a key anchor to the development’s commercial core. The building breaks ground in October, and will be co-located with a Farmhouse Tap & Grill restaurant. The store will employ about 50 people and offer a café, bakery, juice and smoothie bar, as well as fresh produce and organic foods, according to co-owner Nina Lesser-Goldsmith. Healthy Living also has stores in South Burlington and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
March
Healthy Living Café commits to REI approved for former Toys ’R’ Finney Crossing Us location Photo courtesy of Williston Police Department
Some of the pot plants seized in a January raid of a St. George Road home.
Healthy Living Market and Café announces plans to locate a store in Williston’s Finney Crossing neighborhood. The 18,000-square-foot store is slated for
NOW OPEN
REI Co-op receives a town permit to move forward with its only Vermont store at the see REVIEW page 2
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