CCRPC staff say LURB review would reduce Tier 1B mapping; LURB has final say with no appeal

CCRPC planning staff told the Executive Committee Jan. 7 that the Land Use Review Board (LURB) pre‑application response to the regional plan includes mapping comments that, if adopted, would reduce the land area eligible for Tier 1B from about 10.5% to about 9.5%.

Taylor Newton, CCRPC planning program director, said staff are meeting with municipalities to review the LURB comments, provide additional evidence where needed, and consider adjustments to the Future Land Use Map. Newton identified Shelburne and the Williston Road corridors as areas drawing the most substantive pushback. "There are some areas of statute that need to be updated for this to work," Newton said, and he noted the process currently allows LURB one review before plan approval and another after approval; staff hope to insert additional conversations between those points.

Executive Director Charlie Baker said only two other regional planning commissions have been pushed to reduce Tier 1B areas under recent LURB reviews and that the commission is lining up partners, including the Vermont Natural Resources Council and the Preservation Trust, to pursue statutory change. Baker warned that statutory fixes may not be made until 2027, which could require resubmitting materials later in that year.

When committee member Joe Segale asked whether LURB has final approval authority, Baker responded, "yes," and confirmed there is no appeal process for LURB determinations. Staff aim to present a draft regional plan to the Board in March and hold hearings in May, and they will continue outreach with affected municipalities in the coming weeks.

The discussion focused on mapping methodology, the statutory constraints guiding LURB decisions, and next steps for municipal coordination.