Rutland Regional Plan authors solicit public input on draft policies covering housing, land use, energy and resilience

Rutland Regional Planning Commission chapter authors presented draft policies for the commission’s Phase 2 regional plan and asked residents and municipal representatives for feedback at a public session focused on the plan’s 10 chapters.

"We are here today as one of our engagement events for Phase 2 engagement for the Rutland Regional Plan," Moderator Devin said at the opening, noting the commission reached more than 500 people in person and recorded almost 1,200 survey responses during Phase 1.

Logan Solomon, the planner who led both the land use and housing presentations, said the land use chapter centers on a regional future land-use map meant to concentrate growth in compact downtowns and village centers while protecting natural and agricultural areas. He described five draft land-use policies: prioritize infill and redevelopment in planned growth areas; limit strip development on sensitive lands; encourage clustered development outside centers; prioritize public investments in growth areas; and require new development to respect local character.

On housing, Solomon said the commission’s 2023 housing needs assessment informed draft policies that aim to increase supply and preserve affordability. "What we're saying ... is that growth of housing, as well as existing or new programs or any sort of housing incentives, that those should result in people spending no more than 30%…