PLEASE DO NOT FEEL THE NEED TO DONATE MONEY- IT ISN'T SOMETHING WE ARE ASKING FOR- IT IS THE WEBSITE ASKING FOR DONATIONS FOR ADVERTISING.  

Many local businesses in Warren are the backbone of affordable land development and housing, property enhancement and infrastructure in the Mad River Valley. Home based businesses allow for locals to live and work in the community while supporting the economy and providing services.  In many cases, it is cost prohibitive to have both a place of business and a residence to live.  Allowing families to be productive members of society by making a living from their property makes good economic sense while supporting the community's needs. 

Please sign this petition in support of Shane C. Elwell Excavating and all local small businesses in Warren. Zoning regulations need to be inclusive of local businesses and show some support for the working man who provides services all over Central Vermont. Due to current regulations- any complaint made regarding a home business being located in a residential area is at risk. We can’t afford to lose local businesses who serve the entire community.

Shane has been operating out of his home for 8 years and now is in jeopardy of being forced to move- which would likely mean closing his business. After 8 years of zero concerns from the Town of Warren, and the town supporting his business with many loads of fill material to expand useable land area- a complaint from a neighbor who has run a chainsaw carving business out of his home for many years and another part timer from CT, has caused the town to hold a meeting with the DRB. 

 We need to prevent this nightmare from ever happening to another family again. Let me be clear- our business and livelihood is in jeopardy because of improper permitting 8 years ago, through no fault of our own.

The reason we are in this situation is that we attempted to place a driveway on our own property to avoid the harassment from and out of respect for the complainers and that is the only reason that the town got involved. There are 2 complainers out of 18 households. We have more than 400 signatures on our online petition. Separately, we have 14 signatures from abutting landowners who are in favor of our business continuing as it has been. Watch the meeting recording on the local channel and plan to attend the next meeting- not just for us, but for all small businesses in Warren.

The business is doing the exact same activities in 2015 and 2017 as it does now. Only difference is in 2022, we own more land and the town has complainers. The business footprint and land usage has not changed in that time. Despite in 2015 and 2017 there not being the correct permit displayed, the neighbors knew what services we provided, same as today and had every chance to appeal at those times.

Our family is paying the costs both monetarily and mentally for these mistakes.

This petition will be presented to the Development Review Board in encouraging them to be more inclusive of these necessary services and resources. There are no affordable “commercially zoned” areas of land in Warren available, and certainly not enough areas to support all of the businesses that keep the infrastructure going here.

Sign this if any of these apply to you:

-You support small businesses in our community.
-You have had work done by Shane and appreciate him serving the Valley.
-You agree that there is a benefit to being inclusive of all family-based businesses in residential areas.
-You understand that it is cost prohibitive for family-based businesses to have both a residential home to live and a place of business in this Valley.
- You live in Warren and understand that these regulations are hindering family's ability to make a living here in this community.

PLEASE ONLY SIGN IF YOU LIVE IN VERMONT- ESPECIALLY MAD RIVER VALLEY AND WARREN. 

Thank you for your support!