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Selectboard tables decision on Act 181 Tier 1B designation after extended debate
Summary
After a multi-hour discussion and public comment, the Westford Selectboard voted to table a decision on whether to expand or withdraw its Tier 1B land-use designation under Vermont's Act 181 until the next meeting when a full board can vote.
The Westford Selectboard on Feb. 12 tabled a decision on whether to alter the town's Tier 1B designation under Vermont's Act 181 after an extended discussion involving Planning Commission members, town residents and staff.
Harmony Cism, Westford's zoning administrator and planning assistant, summarized the state's response to the town's Tier 1B application and said the town had three choices: provide more information to justify the current limited area, withdraw from Tier 1B, or expand the designation to the full eligible area. Cism told the board expanding would "remove one layer of review at the state level" for certain residential projects but would not "allow development that is not already allowed." She noted that developers would still need state permits, DRB review and zoning approvals.
Max Tyler, chair of the Planning Commission, argued for expansion, framing the change as "local control over state control" because municipal zoning regulators and the DRB would be the primary reviewers rather than state officials. He said the town plan already identifies a village center and that the Maple Shade soils study shows some capacity for development in that area.
Several Selectboard members and residents counseled caution. Deb Jorschick and Barb Peck said the town should pursue more outreach and consider waiting while the state clarifies implementation; Peck said she saw "no downsides to opting out" temporarily. Nick Nichols moved to withdraw the Tier 1B designation; that motion failed (vote recorded as 2-1 with one recusal). The board then voted 4-0 to table further action until the next Selectboard meeting, when a full board could vote. Harmony Cism reminded the board CCRPC did not need an answer until March.
Supporters of delay said many residents remain unfamiliar with Act 181's implications and urged a public outreach effort tied to the next town plan review. Supporters of expansion said the designation would encourage clustered development within identified growth areas rather than leaving development dispersed across the town.
The Selectboard did not take a final vote; the matter is scheduled for reconsideration at the next regular meeting with outreach recommended beforehand.
