Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Neighbors press Select Board on cleared building plots, town explains current-use oversight and Act 250 triggers
Summary
Residents told the Select Board they observed five to six cleared building plots on a large West Jamaica parcel formerly a Boy Scout camp; board members said the parcel remains in 'current use' with a forester monitoring a forest management plan and warned that subdivision or dwelling construction could change tax status and trigger Act 250 and wastewater permitting.
Residents raised concerns about recent clearing on a large West Jamaica parcel that had been used as a Boy Scout camp. One resident said there were “building plots that have been cleared. 5, 6 of them,” expressing surprise because they believed the land was conserved. Board members responded that the parcel is enrolled in current-use (a state tax deferral program) and that an appointed forester prepares and files a forest management plan; that forester reports on actions taken under the plan.
Select Board members explained that certain structures such as an accessory barn can be built consistent with the forest management plan, but subdividing to create new dwellings would change current-use status and could trigger Act 250 jurisdiction and wastewater permitting. The listers' office and forester have been contacted and the board said they will revisit West Jamaica on a property inspection trip scheduled for the following Wednesday.
