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Select Board outlines Act 181 implications for Jamaica landowners, plans outreach
Summary
Board members warned that Act 181 (land-use mapping tied to Act 250) could subject large open parcels and long driveways to state review, potentially affecting 80–90% of Jamaica's land; the Board will publish maps and host outreach with a legislative contact.
At the March 23 meeting, the Chair briefed the Jamaica Select Board and public on changes tied to Act 181 (an amendment affecting Act 250 jurisdiction) and announced the town will publish new maps and guidance on its website.
The Chair summarized the key practical impact: new maps can pull open land and long driveways into Act 250 review. "If you are developing a parcel of land greater than 1 acre for commercial use ... you can find yourself subject to Act 250 jurisdiction," the Chair said, and added that once a parcel is subject to Act 250 it remains so even if later subdivided. The Chair explained an 800‑foot mapping rule (areas more than 800 feet from a roadway are more likely to be captured) and said that, by those maps, roughly 80–90% of Jamaica could be affected.
The Board announced local coordination with planning volunteers and a virtual working session with Laura Sebelia to get detailed legislative guidance; the Chair said the meeting is intended as a working session and the Board will post materials, keep Act 181 as a standing agenda item, and encourage landowners to review the town's posted resources and contact legislators if they wish to comment.
