RPC highlights draft regional future land-use map, VAPDA assessment, Act 181 trainings and Brownfields funding

The Rutland Regional Planning Commission’s executive director said the draft regional future land-use map will guide development decisions and that staff will present the map to the full board and to every town planning commission and select board during April–June engagement.

Devin Neary said the draft map corresponds to the regional plan update and will help towns prepare for changes tied to Act 250 and Act 181. Neary said the commission will request special select-board meetings in each town to review the map and ensure towns understand and can weigh in on proposed designations.

Neary also summarized a statewide assessment conducted for the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA). The contractor recommended options including consideration of a council-of-governments model, increased funding and staffing for regional planning commissions, more formalized VAPDA strategic planning and shared services, and stronger equity and accountability frameworks. Neary said Rutland region participation in the assessment was high and that he plans to testify on the findings before the legislature.

RPC staff said they will host two Act 181 training sessions in April (the day after the April board meeting on April 15) as hybrid events to help municipal officials understand changes to Act 250 and the future land-use map process.

On Brownfields, Neary reported the RPC has nearly a quarter-million dollars remaining in federal funds to support site assessments and redevelopment planning. The program can fund engineering concepts and development plans to help move former industrial sites toward reuse, particularly projects that support business and housing. The Brownfields committee will review candidate projects as they arrive.

Neary also raised a timing concern about congressionally directed spending (CDS) requests, which often require quick turnarounds from applicants; he urged towns and project sponsors to be prepared when notices open.