RiverCog secures IMEG to help towns update zoning rules to comply with new housing law

Eliza (RiverCog staff) told the committee that RiverCog procured a zoning compliance update (ZCU) consultant, IMEG (formerly FHI), to assist towns at no cost using funds made available through PA 25-1. The consultant will help towns adopt summary review procedures for transit-community middle housing (two- to nine-unit buildings), update mixed-use and commercial zone approaches, and — at towns' request — create conservation and traffic mitigation districts.

Eliza said 13 of the region’s 17 towns have opted into the service. IMEG held two informational sessions and will meet individually with interested towns in the coming weeks. Draft regulations are expected to be delivered to towns by May 31 so municipalities can complete an adoption process in time for the July 1 statutory compliance deadline.

Committee members asked about the mechanics and tools IMEG will use. Eliza described two primary deliverables: summary review text that towns can incorporate into zoning regulations, and optional templates to create conservation/traffic mitigation zones (each limited to up to 4% of municipal land area). The committee did not take formal action; members were encouraged to coordinate with planners and local zoning officials who have been invited to the informational meetings.