[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6227027,"mediaKeyId","3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2","parentId",3495704,"title","CCRPC summarizes Act 181/ECOS outreach, housing targets and future land‑use map; schedule set for municipal review and LURB submission","audioSeconds",384,"startMs",3984000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2&start=3984&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2/thumbnail_3984000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227027/Chittenden-County/Vermont/CCRPC-summarizes-Act-181ECOS-outreach-housing-targets-and-future-landuse-map-schedule-set-for-municipal-review-and-LURB-submission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227027-b9a58046d947015785d8e813b86d6b84/orig.mp4?Expires=1775961607&Signature=KGTO5KGCFFXOlqK8R1rWoHtWaxA-xo1ZoaZDVRBXu5BIR5D-N7R0tcUyiumFhbyORUFy1cvbuCy3U1CKMgNw6yWl5Tqp3YOX-l9rPVfKC7srBy~Oy7S9I57tIGBk~0hqHtc32pekp3v55VelheJvFHXkrV5pM7gTuHPZ15WaNlzEI775SS269MjWlQA32Rv3mC38DpcAa7YNVKIXw4UbuK8fT9vCB-t3jGSssAnn1oi~NXODZ-Gt1N6zaHb26c3N6b7cl2Pveem2JVpAH6~ztCOLi1M6jpuaXxQ5nYBSWmVfwaM-80gjWwSor8cmRfDznTD9JLb8r0-9RDwgfjsRuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chittenden County, VT","date","2025-05-22T12:17:37Z","article","Staff reported May 21 on implementation progress for Act 181 and the ECOS regional plan, summarizing extensive outreach, preliminary findings and a phased schedule for municipal review and formal regional plan submission.

The outreach: Taylor (Chandler Newton, Planning Program Director) told the board public comment on the ECOS plan’s future land use map and housing targets closed May 19. Staff summarized participation: the map viewer received 238 comments; 58 individuals interacted with the map viewer and submitted comments; staff received 29 emailed comments and 15 direct housing‑target forms. The team has held or attended roughly 140 events since September 2024, including focus groups with non‑English proficiency communities and a June 6 session planned with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board\u000027s Land Access and Opportunity Board (LAOB) to hear from houseless individuals.

Key findings: staff said common themes include questions about alignment between municipal and regional plans, concerns in rural communities about sprawl and infrastructure limits (water and sewer), and a desire for the plan to align with climate and smart‑growth objectives (concentrated growth in transit corridors). Staff reported generally moderate acceptance of the proposed housing targets, though some requested higher targets in transit corridors and the cities. Municipal staff asked for additional technical and financial assistance to carry out infrastructure and planning work.

Map categories and public questions: board members raised recurring questions about the purpose of the non‑urban land‑use categories (for example, rural conservation, rural agriculture/forestry and similar categories). Staff explained that the current regional map is primarily descriptive and that the statutory criteria used to establish categories constrain how the plan addresses local concerns; staff acknowledged municipalities want clarity about how regional categories relate to municipal control and future policy or funding programs.

Schedule and next steps: staff will issue municipal memos summarizing engagement for each municipality on a rolling basis in June–July; the Long‑Range Planning Committee (LRPC) will consider three municipal memos at its June 10 meeting and the remainder at its July meeting(s). The board will review a revised draft map on July 16. Staff plans to submit the full ECOS plan to the Land Use Review Board (LURB) for its 60‑day pre‑public‑hearing review on or around Oct. 15; LURB review and state agency comments would be received in December with a goal of formal public hearings and adoption work in early 2026 and final adoption by June 2026.

Outreach and equity concerns: staff described targeted engagement with Arabic, Nepali, French and Swahili speaking communities and with houseless individuals; board members noted a recent housing event had low representation from people of color and urged more community‑based outreach where people already gather. Staff noted those connections and committed to continuing targeted outreach and to posting summary documents online.

Why it matters: Act 181 changes the regional planning process and attaches more weight to the regional plan in state review and funding programs (including designations and tiering). The ECOS plan and the future land‑use map will inform housing targets and where municipalities may seek Act 250 jurisdiction adjustments (tier 1A / 1B decisions) and funding opportunities tied to concentrated growth areas.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission - 5/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","CCRPC staff reported they received hundreds of public comments and held roughly 140 events for ECOS/Act 181 outreach and outlined a timetable through fall 2025 for municipal memos, LRPC review and an October submission to the Land Use Review Board.","taxTitle","Chittenden County, Vermont","taxId",2749,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227031,"CCRPC reports third-quarter FY25 finances turned positive; board discusses revenue diversification and short-term credit option",457,1641000,2098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2&start=1641&end=2098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2/thumbnail_1641000.jpg","/articles/6227031/Chittenden-County/Vermont/CCRPC-reports-third-quarter-FY25-finances-turned-positive-board-discusses-revenue-diversification-and-short-term-credit-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227031-32aac3de2b0468c6a1546d174281348f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775961607&Signature=MBFSb2IqcTsp0F1mLCLavNOJcqPbYDAsDJSmZM7zTx8Wgh3MJwyBovOXdZgPxBx-sH0Tny5rIkcmYeth~feqqmhKiWPFQxPSC5xqFZBLCrj7Ub6DvpeImOUq~4h09u7sEoxTyIrRbjEeCPfBjbNXv0CsDVLXHm-r1ecymz5v2C7lmMgezNC9OZIGZYCgYdmBuqHyLZQ4JoE2gdhN5Ov~CN7T0HBDCzzlAN0V9Oj5rNQC06zugjHsPKiEiKscTBGPnQWzUtn-ZbrjrU3Uc3YR6K6cIc46mury-kCI7wFkZHq1NKkAHOaEtq6-W56gWoDyIWFznbeEiXiR57HwwoQtPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CCRPC staff told the board May 21 the commission’s financial position improved in the second half of fiscal 2025 and the organization is pursuing short‑term financial safeguards and new revenue strategies.

The update: Forrest (staff member) reported that after a December report showing a roughly $60,000 deficit, the commission was now “positive about $29,000.” He said an accounting error accounted for about $20,000 of the improvement and that stronger staff time billing and expense control had raised revenues and kept expenses below budget. Forrest noted staff time billing for the transportation program was ahead of budget at 76.4% and overall expenses were at about 72.6% of budget.

Contingency and credit: Jeff (board member) said the executive committee directed staff to explore a short‑term credit facility to bridge temporary federal funding interruptions. Forrest confirmed staff have begun shopping for lines of credit to cover a potential quarter of shortfall if federal funds are temporarily delayed.

Revenue diversification and shared services: Charlie (staff member) and others discussed a strategic shift to pursue paid direct services for towns — for example shared zoning administration and planner services — to reduce reliance on a large flow of federal project funds that staff said “is not going to continue and is drying up actively.” The FY26 budget includes a shared zoning administrator for Underhill and St. George; Winooski and Essex Junction were budgeted to buy planning staff time ($25,000 each, $50,000 total) as a pilot. Board members and staff discussed cost recovery, indirect rates, and how to price leased staff; members noted typical consulting markups often add 25–50% above staff pay to cover overhead.

Equity and outreach note: board members raised concerns about representation at a recent housing convening, noting low participation by people of color and recommending more outreach where people already gather. Staff acknowledged the outreach gap and described ongoing targeted engagement with non‑English speaking groups and houseless individuals as part of the ECOS/Act 181 outreach campaign.

Next steps: staff will continue short‑term credit conversations, finalize billing and indirect rate adjustments, pilot shared staffing agreements, and track whether federal funding trends require further operational changes.","Staff reported the commission moved from a year-to-date deficit to about $28,000–$29,000 positive after accounting corrections and higher billable staff time; the board discussed pursuing a short-term line of credit and expanding paid services to municipalities to reduce reliance on variable federal funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227035,"MPO amends TIP; staff briefs board on state transportation capital program and project timing",336,474000,810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2&start=474&end=810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2/thumbnail_474000.jpg","/articles/6227035/Chittenden-County/Vermont/MPO-amends-TIP-staff-briefs-board-on-state-transportation-capital-program-and-project-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227035-20d9c2b19288b5e1b9c3d584287b2949/orig.mp4?Expires=1775961607&Signature=HSjsUKf59Wv4s6U5BXwNCZZ-eKRBtW827djL-LNNTXQ6LdJ1tHLThj1e~JqrBYZvkUunvAkjlPRMSCmA5U1B03Z5gYevc00QxiOQr89nrsgYajiawpYdlXiD9BYW7AwVrVO4fnrAoFBn6N7ydjz-7TCj3I2VsaWljOBgL6E4EVr-LLlO58Apng5eapzUe0HnnGGghzMZlM5D1rPNGMQaZlPtN8BOYdpT1x~bGJ98fkxoa6SQmWt-Juz8TRUz8M9GUsGrqumkf50QWBUoW2O7NCnqlTCVYRJTETUmqT-OwFwOaici5Qg0Ynv1LEZup48tLq-BLVIwcXTHLWjgpjT38g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chittenden County MPO approved short amendments to the regional TIP May 21 and received a staff briefing on how Chittenden County projects appear in the Vermont state fiscal year 2026 transportation capital program.

Why it matters: TIP amendments and the state capital program govern when projects are engineered and constructed and how federal and state transportation dollars are allocated. Timing shifts can change which projects receive construction funding in a given year.

What staff said: Christine (staff member) told the board the FY2025–28 TIP and STIP had been submitted to Federal Highway and that two Transportation Alternatives awards made by VTrans would appear in Burlington and South Burlington. She described two I‑89 paving projects (Colchester–Swanton northbound and southbound, and a southbound project from Waterbury to Richmond) and said preliminary engineering funds were being added now; construction funds for some projects remain in later years. On bridges, staff noted several state bridge projects and ongoing design work on Richmond bridges; Exit 17 remains under construction.

Board questions and clarifications: Members asked whether schedule changes (listed as “delay of 1 year” or similar in the capital program) referred to changes compared to last year’s capital program; Christine replied the column compared timing to last year’s capital program. Garrett raised a question about a bridge in Buels Gore that appears to be relatively young; Christine said construction funding listed was about $800,000 and she would follow up with VTrans staff. Matt Orencio of VTrans was listed as available to answer state‑level questions.

Funding context: staff and board discussed that transportation revenue forecasts and project budgets are under pressure. Christine and a VTrans representative said budgets are tight and the agency is trying to juggle project schedules and costs to accommodate work across the state. The board was reminded that many capital program categories list projects only for the current year and that some projects move as planning advances.

Actions: Jeff moved approval of the TIP amendments, Karen seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote; the committee recorded the amendment as an MPO action.","The CCRPC approved minor amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program and staff reviewed the state fiscal year 2026 capital program for Chittenden County, noting paving and bridge projects, some schedule shifts and questions about funding availability.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227040,"CCRPC opens public hearing and approves draft FY2026 Unified Planning Work Program and budget",375,66000,441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2&start=66&end=441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6227040/Chittenden-County/Vermont/CCRPC-opens-public-hearing-and-approves-draft-FY2026-Unified-Planning-Work-Program-and-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227040-6430ca0016be55bd2ef34148e9b8ba15/orig.mp4?Expires=1775961607&Signature=aqNN86W0r7mmg08IhU-~7Ezxu9ia72aD3UtCUthjQ2A5K36i2wfIzRvufZrXmtdtMf4w1ZKFo23iJ1sq6N~MLhlAQS~XgRd35cnbrv5Ez1JAMizhmeDzD18SKoVAswKACy3lyHVkqmawH-Fj2d~0Hyi9wg0WpfccfLGeKMwpvXNNKtqgkA2eNu5Bpd07nFkgkpIUA3uRCdHoJlU86rqwSM1Bc6ve2cV2IxAGcr31MLTmZaO4FSgpCpfstV8CgOV-gRHwmZrtUtBPmMgC6Rx8HK82I0MoV4ID0li2-EbGFn-oJucMfdX6l1wkau96H7xPr2bAnJosl~7dmvHaCts-rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission opened a public hearing May 21 on its draft fiscal year 2026 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and related budget and later approved the UPWP in separate votes as both the regional planning commission and the metropolitan planning organization.

The UPWP and budget were presented as part of agenda item 4. Staff described the draft work program’s task color coding and said the budget was “forecast to be $30,000 to the good.” The board first voted to open the public hearing on the draft UPWP; Mike O’Brien moved to open the hearing and Catherine seconded. After no members of the public came forward, Garrett moved to close the hearing and Andy seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the UPWP sets the commission’s work priorities and allocates staff time and funding for studies, technical assistance, and federally funded transportation planning duties. Approval by the MPO is required for federal transportation planning funds that flow through the regional TIP and STIP processes.

Details and votes: after the public hearing staff invited questions and noted the PWP (planning work program) committee had reviewed the documents. The board then handled two formal approval motions: for MPO approval of the FY2026 UPWP and budget, Andy moved and Catherine seconded; the motion passed by voice vote. For RPC approval of the same FY2026 UPWP and budget, Garrett moved (noting procedural simplicity discussed earlier) and Andy seconded; that motion also passed by voice vote.

Discussion versus direction: most discussion during the item was clarifying and procedural. Staff noted only minor text updates and color‑coded tasks (yellow = pending, blue = land use, green = new transportation tasks, white = continuing tasks). No additional direction to staff was recorded beyond standard follow‑up to finalize edits. No roll‑call votes or minority positions were recorded in the transcript; vocal approval was unanimous.

What’s next: staff will finalize the UPWP text edits and proceed with implementation in FY2026 per the approved budget and work program.","The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission opened and closed a public hearing on the draft fiscal year 2026 Unified Planning Work Program and budget, then approved the UPWP as both the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the RPC with unanimous votes.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227022,"Board development committee offers slate of officers and proposes more in‑person meetings, orientation and training",216,3210000,3426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2&start=3210&end=3426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3495704-985652192ade38a545bf194024e2c9e2/thumbnail_3210000.jpg","/articles/6227022/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Board-development-committee-offers-slate-of-officers-and-proposes-more-inperson-meetings-orientation-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227022-44db34d23fe114ffbc1e57e777e794fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775961607&Signature=ZpaodJNGbmnPdfLiTTIE~~KHCkxuxiQfLFX03gCQ~0dxVVMoldYgeCr0aCLsk3jvukriZK4aZRUbNFdIkFTwiSpFH2K0ImCvP1~V8cMjUNE6ka--e-8wVOi~ZxAAzZRc1wb46dXOu311zFo2K2HdgfpALF2HmHR-2WUBmgb9DjnExGq7RSsc6CM5vSpdcocRv7ZxhJ51-8q~VdsQ~gjWM0A9SyCxc9EBlO6QNEeXOEDBy18SfVl89SwogGfbxabtFKOzumLYeMMxZjZiuMZjCr~kDQexVlueypkqPAE5NkJ8CCi71hFj7FpzkMryoNMT6TsmzjUa1WzB-cqS8tSvdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The CCRPC Board Development Committee presented a proposed slate of officers and recommended a modest increase in in‑person meetings and targeted trainings to help new and returning board members.

Nominations: the committee voted to nominate Bard Hill for chair, Jackie Murphy for vice chair, Karen Peterson for secretary‑treasurer, Andy Moultrell as an at‑large representative for towns over 5,000, and John Segalley as an at‑large representative for towns under 5,000. Chris Shaw was listed as immediate past chair and chair of the Board Development Committee under the plan. The nominations will be presented for action at the annual meeting; the committee noted nominations from the floor remain possible at the meeting.

Meeting format and training: the committee proposed making March and September board meetings in person (in addition to the existing in‑person June annual meeting and December legislative breakfast) to help board members build relationships and provide working sessions. Board members and staff suggested training topics including RPC/MPO basics, TIP/STIP orientation, board handbook/code of conduct review, and practical sessions on municipal engagement and advocacy for new members.

Why it matters: several board members said that more in‑person interaction would help newer members learn committee acronyms, relationships between TIP, STIP and the capital program, and the practical roles board members play in municipal advocacy and plan review. Staff will include in‑person dates in the annual calendar for board consideration and finalize training topics ahead of the annual meeting.","The Board Development Committee nominated a slate of officers for the annual meeting and recommended adding in‑person quarterly meetings and training topics including a board handbook, RPC/MPO basics and TIP/STIP orientation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CCRPC summarizes Act 181/ECOS outreach, housing targets and future land‑use map; schedule set for municipal review and LURB submission

CCRPC reports third-quarter FY25 finances turned positive; board discusses revenue diversification and short-term credit option

MPO amends TIP; staff briefs board on state transportation capital program and project timing

CCRPC opens public hearing and approves draft FY2026 Unified Planning Work Program and budget

Board development committee offers slate of officers and proposes more in‑person meetings, orientation and training