The South End Enterprise District is 4% of the city and 27% of the South End, and represents 92% of the industrial area and 20% of the jobs in the whole city. While we all want to work toward meaningful solutions to the problem of affordable housing in the city, changing the zoning to allow mixed use in this 4% area will bring more problems than solutions.

According to many experts, housing in the Enterprise District will bring about its demise over time. This would mean a significant loss for the city, with regard to manufacturing, jobs and tax revenue from business. Not to mention a loss of the gritty and artsy feel of the area which many of us love.

With some creativity, housing could be planned for areas just outside the Enterprise District. After all, there is still 73% of the South End available outside the District.

Why Preserve the Industrial Zoning?

1. It’s one of the only places in the city where manufacturing and industrial
activity can exist and thrive. Without protecting this mission, industry
and manufacturing will move to industrial areas outside of Burlington.

2. Because rental rates for housing are higher than for industrial space,
an influx of housing in the E.D. would drive rates up, resulting in fewer
affordable spaces for industry and manufacturing to start and to grow.
Artists who benefit from the affordable rents that exist naturally in the rough
and ready industrial E.D. would see studio space rentals increase over time.

3. Manufacturing and Industrial activities are not compatible with residential life due to noise, smells, and late night working hours. Preserving an area for manufacturing and industrial use makes good sense to minimize conflicts with residential.

4. With the potential for manufacturing and industry to move outside the city,
Burlington will become a bedroom community for jobs in other towns.
This will mean more reliance on cars.

5. Gentrification will be an inevitable result of adding mixed use/housing to the area.

Please Note: We welcome comments and signatures from all over, but will only be counting those signatures for official purposes which come from the greater Burlington, Vermont area in our official tally.