House Concurred with Senate Amendments to H.687, Modifying Act 250 Administration and Adding Land‑Bank Study

The Vermont House on the floor concurred with the Senate’s amendments to H.687, a bill intended to update land‑use administration and support community resilience and biodiversity.

Supporters described a set of mostly technical but policy‑relevant changes: additions to definitions to prevent disproportionate tier‑3 designations in any one municipality; changes to exemption and appeals language; allowances to make accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provisions apply to new construction as well as existing buildings; and acceptance of Senate language to allow some exemptions for housing projects of 50 units or fewer in designated centers and transit corridors.

Member from Manchester summarized the conferees’ acceptance of multiple amendments and said the committee on environment and energy voted 10–1 to accept the changes. Member from Waterbury described a land‑bank study the Senate added: the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns will analyze the feasibility of a state land bank to identify, acquire, and restore vacant, abandoned, contaminated and distressed properties and submit findings and draft legislation by Dec. 15, 2024.

Member from Middlebury framed the bill as a modernization of Vermont’s land‑use law and argued the changes create incentives for towns to plan for workforce housing while protecting the state’s land‑use goals. "Act 250, Vermont's landmark land use law, sets us apart," the Member from Middlebury said on the floor.

The House concurred in the Senate amendments by voice vote after committee reports and floor statements. Next steps include oversight by the Department of Housing and Community Development and follow up reporting required by the added land‑bank provision.