Committee members press towns to enforce vegetative buffers after repeated clear‑cutting

Committee members said they are seeing a pattern of clear‑cutting on lots adjacent to roads and asked whether the county could require vegetative buffers during 239 reviews.

"Is there a way that we could insist this buffing zone, they they do these clear cut lots," a committee member asked, describing sites where all trees are removed to the road edge. Heather, county planning staff, replied the county cannot unilaterally require municipal zoning changes and that adoption of screening requirements would need to occur at the town level; she said staff will include comments about vegetative screening in 239 review letters and will work with municipal planning directors on suggested language while respecting home rule.

Committee members proposed sending a letter to municipalities and raising the issue at an upcoming council of governments meeting. Staff said they will draft sample language for consideration and said the county has routinely provided training to planning and zoning boards to encourage screening and fencing where appropriate.