Regional ECOS plan warned for May 20 after board review of map and housing-target edits

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission on April 15 voted to warn a second public hearing on its ECOS regional plan for May 20, after staff summarized changes made since the plan’s first public hearing and subsequent review by the Land Use Review Board.

Taylor, the staff presenter, told the board the plan team had made substantial revisions in response to LURB comments — notably an overhaul of the scenic, recreational and historic resources chapter and 35 map edits — and had rerun municipal housing targets after finalizing the future land use map on March 19. "Ideally tonight, you guys warn the second RPC public hearing. We hold that hearing at our May 20th board meeting and adopt the plan that night," Taylor said.

Why it matters: the warning moves the plan to a formal public-review stage that leads directly to adoption and submission to state reviewers. Staff described the next steps as adoption at the May 20 meeting, then submission to the Land Use Review Board and the Vermont Department of Public Service with anticipated approvals in June–July 2026.

Housing targets and map effects: staff said rural municipalities and the four cities saw little to no change, while mixed and urban‑rural municipalities generally showed shifts of fewer than 200 units per municipality. Taylor singled out Essex as having a notable decrease in its target, attributing the change to LURB-required map adjustments. The presenter named Colchester, Essex, Hinesburg, Jericho, Milton, Richmond, Shelburne and Williston as the set of municipalities for which target numbers were rerun.

Legislative context: board members asked about recent public concerns over Act 181, especially the tier‑three and road‑rule provisions. Taylor said the House appeared likely to move toward repeal of the tier‑three provisions in S.325 but emphasized staff had not yet seen statutory changes that would require revisions to the regional plan. "I said it seems like they are headed that way; they have not actually taken action yet," Taylor cautioned.

Board action: after discussion, a motion warning the May 20 public hearing was moved and approved by the board.

Next steps: the board will hear public comment at the May 20 hearing; staff will return that night with a recommendation for adoption and then submit the final plan to state reviewers. The board also heard that staff will follow up with municipalities where the regional future land use map produced friction, offering after‑action meetings to discuss locally led amendments that could become regional changes in subsequent updates.

Closing note: the warning begins the formal public-notice window; it is not the same as adoption of the ECOS plan.