Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ecos Regional Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CCRPC reports ECOS plan progress; housing targets delayed while land-use edits are finalized
Summary
Planning staff told the Executive Committee that edits responding to public comments and LURB guidance are nearly complete, but revised housing targets will be delayed until future land use areas are finalized. Staff also warned of a FY27 UPWP funding gap: roughly $2.6–2.7 million in requests versus $2.0–2.1 million in federal highway revenue.
At the March 4 Executive Committee meeting, Planning Program Director Taylor Newton updated members on the ECOS Regional Plan process and explained why revised housing targets will not be ready for the March Board meeting. Newton said about half of municipalities propose no changes to future land use maps while roughly 40 individual changes across other municipalities remain under consideration; those map edits affect housing-target calculations.
Newton said staff have responded to public comments and Land Use Review Board guidance and anticipate providing a fully edited version for initial review at the March Board meeting, but the housing target recalculation will follow once future land use areas are finalized. CCRPC staff will run revised housing numbers with the Planning Advisory Committee and aim to present a clean version to the Board in April.
Executive Director Charlie Baker also outlined staffing and budget matters. The Transportation Program Director position is posted with application review beginning March 16, interviews planned in April, and a target decision on May 1 so a new hire can start in early June. On the FY27 Unified Planning Work Program, Baker said about $2.6–2.7 million in project requests were submitted while estimated federal highway revenue is about $2.0–2.1 million, meaning staff will need to trim requests; the UPWP Program Committee will meet March 30 to begin prioritization.
Baker gave a brief legislative update, citing a bill (S.325) that could amend Act 181 mapping processes and Tier 3 rules and noting the Governor's budget proposal included a 2.5% RPC funding increase that has committee support. A regional governance study committee is also working toward legislative recommendations by the end of the year.
