Brandon board votes to request Tier 1B Act 250 designation to ease infill permitting

The Brandon Select Board voted May 26 to ask the state to consider designating parts of the town as Tier 1B under Act 181, a change intended to move certain developments from state Act 250 review to local permitting.

Seth Hopkins, who introduced the motion, said the change is meant to "help Brandon to facilitate the growth that we want where we want it by streamlining permit costs in terms of time and money." Planning Commission Chair Jack Schneider told the board the commission recommended opting in, noting the designation targets downtown, village-center and planned-growth areas served by water and wastewater infrastructure.

Residents raised concerns about density and parking, with one speaker warning that allowing up to five units per acre (up to 50 units on a 10-acre parcel, under state guidance) could change neighborhood character. Hopkins and Schneider said local zoning and subdivision rules would still apply and that the state’s map limits the relaxation to specific, infrastructure-served areas.

The board moved, seconded, and adopted a motion requesting consideration for Tier 1B; staff were instructed to submit the town plan documentation and RRPC concurrence by the state deadline. The motion passed by voice vote; the exact roll-call tally was not specified in the transcript.

The board noted the request must be submitted by July 1 and that the state decision is expected within months, likely in time for the next building season.

What happens next: town staff will assemble town-plan dates and supporting materials and submit the Tier 1B request to the regional planning commission and the state for final action.