Regional planners brief Winooski on Act 181, future land use map and 2050 housing targets

Winooski city planners and members of the Affordable Housing Committee and Planning Commission heard a presentation May 8 from staff of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) explaining how the states Act 181 will change Act 250 review, how a new regional future land use map will be applied in the city, and what regional housing targets for 2050 mean for municipal planning.

The presentation was led by Sarah, a planner with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, and Kate McCarthy, CCRPC. "The goal tonight ... is to briefly review Act 181," Sarah said, describing the law as the Legislatures approach to addressing the housing shortage by aligning local, regional and state planning and directing public investment to areas planned for growth.

The nut graf: Act 181 changes how Act 250 environmental review is applied in much of Vermont by shifting from size- and threshold-based triggers to location-based mapping. Municipalities can opt in to receive exemptions for certain areas designated as planned growth or center areas; the shift changes which projects must undergo Act 250 review and which may be eligible for designation benefits and state investment.

Key points from the CCRPC presentation

- What changes: CCRPC staff said Act 181 replaces the previous designation program and requires regional future land use maps built from 11 statute-defined categories. Historically Act 250 was triggered by thresholds (for example, developments larger than nine units or nine acres). Under the new approach, many triggers will instead be location-based and tied to the CCRPCs regional map and the state Land Use Review Board.

- Tier exemptions: CCRPC described a tiered exemption framework. Areas…