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CCRPC committee reviews draft housing bill; density and appeals provisions are focal points
Summary
Staff summarized a draft state housing bill that pulls content from H.68 and noted that density, parking, and limits on Development Review Boards and appeals are the most contentious provisions; committee members were asked to provide feedback and consider adding state and regional housing targets to future needs assessments.
At the Feb. 15, 2023, remote meeting of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive & Finance Committee, staff briefed members on a draft state housing bill and highlighted specific provisions likely to draw attention from municipalities.
Charlie Baker, Executive Director, and Taylor Newton, Planning Program Manager, said the draft Senate housing bill incorporates language from H.68 (introduced by Representative Bongartz) and that Senator Kesha Ram-Hinsdale has incorporated much of H.68 into the Senate draft. The bill was described as moving through House and Senate committee processes; Newton said it will be in the Senate’s Natural Resources and Energy Committee for a period after the Senate Economic Development and Housing Committee acts on it.
Committee discussion focused on density and parking requirements and two provisions that would limit Development Review Boards’ ability to negotiate density down and would reduce grounds for appeals. "Density and parking issues appear to be the biggest items of contention with this bill," Baker said. Taylor Newton provided an overview of the basic density-related provisions and addressed members’ questions. Baker suggested that when the State conducts its next housing needs assessment it include State and regional housing goals or targets; he invited members to provide feedback, questions or suggestions for staff to convey.
No formal motions or votes were recorded on the housing bill during this meeting; the discussion was informational and staff asked for committee feedback.
