Burlington, Vermont — NIMBYs have stopped another development that would’ve benefited the outdoor community.
Last month, Higher Ground Music announced that Burton has decided to cancel their plans for a concert venue at its headquarters. Back in 2019, Burton Snowboards announced a revitalized headquarters. Burton Snowboards had around 20,000 square feet of unused space, which the company wanted to develop into an entertainment hub. The primary use of the space would have been an 8,000-square-foot concert venue with a capacity of 1,500 people. Other plans for the unused space include a new restaurant, taproom, and indoor skate park.
However, these plans faced opposition from residents. The Citizens for Responsible Zoning spent over $200k in legal fees to oppose the plans. They feared the amount of vehicles would create disastrous traffic before and after concerts. These efforts by the NIMBYs (Not in My Backyard) looked like they would fail, as the Vermont Supreme Court sided with Burton and Higher Ground in July. However, Higher Ground’s announcement means that they ultimately secured victory.
Burton Snowboards didn’t return a request for comment from Seven Days Vermont and other media outlets. Although they didn’t specify a reason for this change, Burton Snowboards did undergo layoffs this year. With the zoning approvals and legal victories, Burton can still develop the headquarters, but it’s unclear what their current plans are for the unoccupied space.
Higher Ground remains open at 1214 Williston Rd, South Burlington, VT. They’re still aiming to find a new/larger venue in the Burlington area.
Image Credits: Burton Snowboards, Higher Ground Music
