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CCRPC PAC finds Boltons Enhanced Energy Plan meets enhanced energy planning standards
Summary
The Planning Advisory Committee voted March 23 to find that Boltons amended Town Plan Energy Elements meet the enhanced energy planning standards under 24 V.S.A. 4352; staff said the plan is being reviewed under 2017 standards because the towns work began in 2019 and prior public hearings predate the 2022 standards.
On March 23, 2022, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commissions Planning Advisory Committee voted that the Town of Boltons proposed Town Plan Energy Elements (draft 9/25/2020) meet the enhanced energy planning standards required by 24 V.S.A. 4352 and recommended forwarding the draft to the CCRPC Board for an affirmative determination of energy compliance. Alex Weinhagen moved the finding; Meagan Tuttle seconded the motion and the PAC approved it.
CCRPC staff presented the amendment and a staff summary. Taylor Newton said the draft energy plan was prepared largely by CCRPC staff and meets the enhanced energy plan criteria. Jon Ignatowski, representing Bolton, reviewed the plans timeline: Boltons planning process began in June 2019 and the Bolton Planning Commission held a public hearing on Jan. 21, 2020 with 14 members of the public attending. Ignatowski said errors with the warning of that public hearing led the Select Board to delay approval and rewarn new hearings; he said the energy plan itself has not changed since Jan. 21, 2020. Because the towns work began before the publication of the 2022 CEP standards, CCRPC staff advised reviewing the plan under the 2017 standards.
The PACs discussion included questions about site constraints and where renewables might be sited in Bolton. Staff said Map 9 identifies a limited number of locations that could accommodate wind and solar and pointed to an existing array along Route 2. Members asked whether the plan calls for solar in forested areas; Senior Planner Melanie Needle said Map 9 shows potential locations and the plan relies on state constraints. Members also asked whether renewable targets reflect future demand; Needle said targets are based on actual current energy consumption and do not include a forecast of future energy need.
Regina Mahony opened the public hearing at the start of the discussion and kept it open in case the public wished to comment; no public commenters were recorded in the meeting minutes. The PACs motion said CCRPC staff will, upon notification that the municipality has adopted the amendments, review the adoption materials and forward materials to the PAC for additional review if staff determines substantive changes were made; otherwise, the staff recommendation is to forward the draft Energy Plan to the CCRPC Board.
Next steps: Boltons Planning Commission had scheduled a public hearing on April 21, 2022; following municipal adoption, CCRPC staff will review the final adoption materials and determine whether further PAC review is needed.
