CCRPC discusses three-tier future land-use approach under S.100 and recommends extending ECOS schedule

CCRPC Executive Director Charlie Baker told the Executive Committee on Sept. 6 that staff are working on recommendations to the legislature to create more consistent regional future land-use categories and to provide an option for municipal delegation of Act 250. This work is part of studies required under S.100 (also referenced as Act 47).

Baker described a three-tier framework under discussion for the Act 250 NRB study: Tier 1 would encompass growth areas—centers, metro, suburban and villages with water and sewer—potentially exempt from Act 250; Tier 2 would cover rural and working lands and separate enterprise or ski-resort areas; and Tier 3 would identify State and local 'no-go' zones intended to protect critical natural resources.

Members discussed floodplain and flooding concerns and asked staff to consider how draft maps would treat flood-prone areas. Baker said three reasons justify a six- to nine-month extension of the ECOS Regional Plan schedule: (1) if S.100 passes, CCRPC will likely be asked to update maps quickly and will need more time; (2) the State is required to set regional housing targets and the next housing needs assessment is scheduled for completion by March 2024, which will trigger municipal requests for target data; and (3) staff want to provide marginalized communities the opportunity to review proposed changes.

No formal vote to change the ECOS schedule was recorded at the Executive Committee level; Charlie Baker said the recommendation and rationale would inform the Board and legislative coordination.