Selectboard refers proposed 2026 Land Use Ordinance back to Planning Commission for review

The Selectboard on July 20 decided not to adopt the proposed 2026 Land Use Ordinance and instead referred the draft back to the Planning Commission for a detailed written report.

Mike Martin of the Ordinance Committee advised the board that the committee withdrew its earlier recommendation to adopt the draft after discovering multiple issues: possible omissions or inadequate carry‑over of provisions from the 2022 code; new sections intended to implement Act 181 that may not reflect amendments under Act 152; absence of a clear redline comparison to the 2022 code; and lack of proper legislative drafting structure and sectional notation that would complicate use by the Zoning Administrator and Development Review Board.

The Ordinance Committee recommended that the Selectboard request the Planning Commission to (1) confirm how the draft implements Act 181 as amended by Act 152 and explain changes, (2) review and comment on the committee’s prior edits, (3) provide a chart or redline showing changes from the 2022 code, and (4) revise the draft to follow standard legislative drafting practices. The committee also urged maintaining the current 2022 ordinance until a properly structured replacement is ready and noted the importance of a full‑time planning/zoning administrator to support the work.

Heather Frahm moved to refer the draft to the Planning Commission; the motion passed 5‑0. The referral requires the Planning Commission to return a written report addressing the committee’s requests before any adoption vote.