Where we build is one of the most important environmental and economic decisions we make. Sustainable growth – compact, walkable, connected communities – reduces sprawl, lowers infrastructure costs, and helps communities be more resilient to flooding and climate impacts. Act 181 helps align our land-use laws with the realities of climate change, housing needs, and municipal capacity.
Read more in our interview with Kathy Beyer, Senior Vice-President of Real Estate Development at Evernorth, here.
How you can get involved
Vermont’s land use framework is being overhauled – and your voice is needed!
As part of Vermont’s Act 181 that was enacted in 2024, the state’s regional planning commissions (RPCs) are updating their “future land use maps,” which identify land uses (for example: commercial, residential or agricultural) to help guide potential growth and conservation. Historically these maps have been largely advisory, but thanks to the new law, the maps— tied to Act 250—now have regulatory weight. These maps are also now tied to the State Designation Program, which provides financial benefits and technical assistance to towns seeking to improve their downtowns and village centers.
This is important, as the maps will help to identify more land in and near our town centers to be opened up for much-needed housing and add protections for our most sensitive natural resources, farm and forest land.
The work to update these maps has already begun. Here’s what the process looks like:
VNRC will be providing expert input to ensure these maps represent local perspectives and smart growth goals – but we need your voice.
Each RPC process will be slightly different, but you can generally expect opportunities to engage at several points in the process:
- Attend the RPC’s meeting(s) with your local planning commission and/or selectboard, or submit comments to your local officials
- Submit comments to your town’s RPC representative
- Attend the public comment period of the Community Investment Board’s meeting
Attend a public hearing in your town – see the Land Use Review Board’s website for details.
Find your Regional Planning Commission:
Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC)
Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC)
Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC)
Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC)
Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC)
Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC)
Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA)
Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC)