1672 VT RT 14
P.O. BOX 10
WOODBURY, VERMONT 05681
Town Clerk: clerk@woodburyvt.org
Treasurer: treasurer@woodburyvt.org
Phone: 802-456-7051
FAX: 802-456-8834
Web Site www.woodburyvt.org
WOODBURY ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Date: June 17, 2026
Re: Swenson Granite Company, LLC, Michael Sylvester
Application: September 9, 2025 – Amendment to Non-Conforming Use Approval
Summary:
On September 9, 2025, an application was submitted by the above landowners, requesting
amendments to the previously existing approval for Non-Conforming Use. On September 11,
2025, the application was referred by the Zoning Administrator, Robert Martin, to the Zoning
Board of Adjustment for review as a change to the Non-Conforming Use Permit.
On October 27, 2025 a Notice of Hearing was issued, setting a hearing date of November 18,
2025. The hearing was held in recess to allow for additional fact finding.
On January 23, 2026 a Notice of Hearing was issued, setting a continuation of the recessed
hearing for February 12, 2026. The hearing was held in recess to allow for responses from the
applicant posed by the ZBA.
On June 15, 2026 a Notice of Hearing was issued, setting a continuation of the recessed hearing
for June 17, 2026.
Finding of Fact:
Due to the complexity of the application, the findings are impractical to list completely here. The
conclusions reached by the board were based on information gathered from the following
sources:
1. Application materials (on file at Woodbury Town Offices)
2. Two letters from Swenson Representative, Civil Engineer, Colen Johnson, Bowman (on file
at Woodbury Town Offices)
3. Information gathered at the two hearings. Recordings found here:
a. 11/8/25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqs1UdrIKiI
b. 2/12/26: https://hctv.us/woodbury-public-hearing-february-12-2026/
While there were several significant issues raised in the hearings the ones that came up the most
were:
1. Effects of increased traffic, including; road wear and tear, dust, safety for other non-
quarry vehicles and for the school.
2. Environmental effects, including; loss of natural beauty, pollution, excessive noise
3. Unforeseen, long-term impacts on the town associated with approving a permit change
for 60+ years.
The Board reviewed the application with the general standards of the Zoning Ordinance, Section
2.11 “Non-Conforming Uses…”. Regarding the proposed use, the Board must find that “…no
greater detrimental effect on the community will result.”
Conclusions:
Woodbury Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met on June 17, 2026 at 5:30pm. The board voted
unanimously to approve, with the following conditions, Swenson Granite Company’s application
dated September 9, 2025 to amend the previously approved non-conforming use granted to
Swenson Granite Company, LLC. the operator of the granite quarry, located at 1127 Cabot Rd,
Woodbury, VT.
The ZBA would like to note that the conditions below are informed by input from both the
community and representatives from Swenson. The one condition that stands out as diverging
from previous discussions is Condition #6. Swenson’s has stated that 40 trucks per day will be
required to make the crushing operation viable. The ZBA is approving a lower number based on
testimony from Swenson that it is not currently operating at capacity. This will allow time for the
community to get used to the larger truck volume and for Swenson to demonstrate the ability to
operate the increased volume without need for additional conditions regarding traffic impacts. If
business conditions become such that increased trucking capacity is needed, Swenson can apply
to the ZBA for an amendment to these conditions. The ZBA is committed to supporting Swenson’s
ability to successfully run a business while positively cohabitating with the Woodbury community.
Non-Conforming Use Amendment Approval Conditions:
1. Maintain the current regulatory and traffic restriction for trucks traveling to and from the
quarry. Including no trucks leaving between 7:15am-8:00am and 2:45pm-3:30pm during
the school year.
2. All dump trucks shall be covered prior to leaving the site.
3. No more than two loaded trucks shall exit the site simultaneously (within 5 minutes)
to avoid convoying.
4. Year-round, all haul dump trucks (gravel trucks) shall only enter and exit the property via
the original Swenson Quarry Road entrance which is closer to town. Not the new
entrance, which is farther from town.
5. During winter months, all haul trucks (including flatbed trucks) shall only enter and
exit the site via the original Swenson Quarry Road entrance which is closer to town. Not
the new entrance, which is farther from town.
6. The maximum number of truckloads per day shall not exceed 32 truckloads (combined
haul trucks – gravel and block).
7. Swenson will be responsible for sound monitoring for a minimum of 5 days when the
crusher is running in its first year. Results of the monitoring must be submitted to the
Town Clerk no more than 60 days after completion of the first day of monitoring and
successively for each additional day of monitoring.
8. Sound monitoring will occur as outlined above any time a different type or model of
crusher is used.
9. The expansion and proposed crushing will not impact environmental natural resources,
and Swenson will implement the stormwater improvements as shown in the application
materials.
10. Swenson remains committed to ensuring that no disruptions to the Town emergency
communications services occur. As such, Swenson will work with the Town to relocate the
services to another portion of the property prior to the tower being removed in the
future.
11. Swenson will follow the Phase timing outlined below. If adjustments need to be made due
to site or business conditions, Swenson will apply to the ZBA for an amendment to the
permit conditions. The phases below correspond to the Phase called out in the application
documentation submitted to the ZBA.
a. Approximate Lifespan at Full Production
i. Phase 1 ~ 2-8 years (Ending 2028 – 2034)
ii. Phase 2 ~ 6-14 years
iii. Phase 3 ~ 9-19 years
iv. Phase 4 ~ 5-11 years
The approval of the application is based on the plan outlined by Swenson in their application and
hearing response materials. These materials will be kept at the Woodbury Town Offices for future
reference. If there is a conflict between something in the application materials and the conditions
in this decision, the decision takes precedence.
Any failure to comply with the conditions set forth in this decision, will result in the termination
of approval of the entire Non-Compliance Amendment.
This Amendment is approved for a term of 8 years. After which time Swenson will need to return
to the Woodbury Zoning Board of Adjustment for ongoing approval.
Woodbury Board of Adjustment
By: __________________________ Jonah Meacham, Chair Date_________________
In concurrence: Skip Marchesani, Rick Cannon and Becky Browning