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Newbury Planning Commission adopts State model flood hazard and river corridor bylaw; keeps $500 repair threshold
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to adopt the State’s model Flood Hazard and River Corridor Bylaw and will incorporate it by reference; members also agreed to retain a $500 interior repair-cost threshold for permitting while awaiting FEMA map roll-out expected fall 2026.
The Newbury Planning Commission voted to adopt the State’s model Flood Hazard and River Corridor Bylaw and to incorporate that model by reference into the town’s zoning documents, the commission recorded at its Jan. 15 meeting.
Evangeline James said follow-up on the new flood hazard maps supports keeping Newbury’s current $500 interior repair cost threshold for when a permit is required. She told the commission that "FEMA maps must be adopted in order to qualify for the national flood insurance program," and that state river corridor maps may only be changed through a more cumbersome process. According to materials cited in the meeting, Ned Swanberg, Vermont’s Flood Hazard Mapping Coordinator, projects roll-out of the new maps in the fall of 2026.
Tony O’Meara relayed an offer from Kyle Katz of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) to help assess the new maps. Andrew Lee said he will forward the FEMA work map to board members for review.
The commission’s action formalizes use of the State model bylaw; the meeting minutes record the motion as moved by E. James and seconded by J. Winchester and carried (vote tally not specified in the minutes). The adoption is intended to align Newbury’s ordinance language with State guidance and to preserve eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program while staff and the regional commission continue technical review.
