Public hearing held on proposed Bennington Regional Plan; staff cites Act 181 deadline

The Bennington County Regional Commission opened and conducted a public hearing on the proposed Bennington Regional Plan on July 16, 2026. BCRC staff reviewed the plan’s schedule, public engagement approach, the Future Land Use maps and the methodology used to calculate the state-required housing targets.

Staff emphasized that the regional plan must be adopted by Dec. 31, 2026 to comply with Vermont’s Act 181. Commissioners followed with questions about specific map designations and the housing targets; staff responded and clarified how target numbers were derived. The hearing record was closed during the meeting; no final vote on the plan was taken at the July 16 session.

BCRC staff indicated continued outreach and follow-up will occur as the commission moves toward adoption before the statutory deadline.