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Land Use Review Board outlines Act 181 appeals study, flags consolidation and open‑meeting limits
Summary
The newly formed Land Use Review Board told the House General & Housing Committee it is conducting the appeals study required by Act 181 and is exploring consolidation of zoning, ANR and Act 250 appeals to speed decisions; board members and staff raised data gaps, conflict‑of‑interest concerns and limits imposed by open‑meeting rules.
The Land Use Review Board told the House General & Housing Committee on Feb. 20 that it is conducting the appeals study required under Act 181 and is examining whether appeals now heard in the Environmental Division (often called the Environmental Court) should be routed to the Land Use Review Board instead.
The study will evaluate timelines, case volumes and whether consolidation of municipal zoning appeals, Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) appeals and Act 250 appeals could shorten review. "We have to look at, shall that stay with the Environmental Division, or should it come to the Land Use Review Board?" Brooke Dingledeen, a newly seated LURB member and environmental land‑use lawyer, said during her presentation.
Why it matters: Committee members said the pace and predictability of land‑use appeals affects housing and development. The board emphasized that litigation‑style de novo reviews in the Environmental Division can be lengthy and costly and said consolidation and on‑the‑record review…
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