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CCRPC director flags possible state funding shift and updates on broadband, housing bill and brownfields funding
Summary
Executive Director Charlie Baker reported the Chittenden County Communications Union District applied for $300,000 in start-up funding, summarized a housing bill under consideration that could reduce zoning barriers, and warned a proposal could cut ACCD funding to regional planning commissions by about 40%; he noted a $1 million brownfields assessment allocation in the Budget Adjustment Act.
Charlie Baker, CCRPC Executive Director, used his report to update the Executive Committee on several policy and funding items affecting the region.
Baker said the Chittenden County Communications Union District (CUD) has begun twice-monthly board meetings and has submitted a $300,000 grant application to the Vermont Community Broadband Board for start-up funding; two additional towns, Underhill and Westford, are considering joining the CUD. "If approved, which is likely, it will provide start-up funding," he said.
On housing policy, Baker summarized a legislative housing bill led by Representative Bongartz that would ease certain zoning restrictions — from emergency shelter provisions to allowing duplexes by-right and reducing parking requirements. Baker said CCRPC staff are providing input but the commission is not taking a formal position at this time; Taylor Newton noted the bill aims to support gentle density and long-term change rather than rapid shifts.
Baker also raised a budgetary concern: he said a proposal from the Vermont Rural Caucus could reallocate Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) funding and reduce funding to regional planning commissions by about 40%. "This proposed reduction would decrease our ACCD funding by 40% and would have a huge impact on how we help our towns with planning," Baker said. Members discussed the potential implications and agreed CCRPC should explore ways to engage on the issue.
Baker added that the Budget Adjustment Act includes $1 million for brownfields assessment to be passed to regional planning commissions, which would restore needed assessment funds. He also mentioned a bill that would transfer river corridor protection permitting authority from municipalities to the Department of Environmental Conservation and a larger habitat bill proposing 30% state land preservation by 2030 and 50% by 2050.
Chair Catherine McMains and other members agreed the potential funding shift was of concern and suggested discussing member engagement to defend regional planning resources. Baker said his annual evaluation is upcoming and he is considering changes to the review process and an employee satisfaction survey.
Next steps: CCRPC staff will monitor the legislative proposals, continue to provide input on the housing bill as requested, and may ask members to take a coordinated position on proposed ACCD funding changes if appropriate.
