Select Board advances Raptor Lane housing planning, agrees to seek state and regional planning grants

The Dorset Select Board on Aug. 19 voted to pursue planning grant funding and to advance zoning edits tied to the Raptor Lane housing effort.

Town Manager Rob Gaiotti said two of the three entities that had expressed interest in the Raptor Lane request for proposals indicated they would not formally respond, but “SM Graves…will submit a proposal.” He told the Board the Planning Commission has drafted edits to the zoning bylaw related to Raptor Lane and the Dorset Field Club and that the Commission should proceed with its public hearing process.

Gaiotti outlined two grant paths to support early work: the Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) offers up to $100,000 for non-construction planning tasks to position projects for later construction grants, which the Board noted can range from about $1 million to $3 million with a typical 50% cost share. Gaiotti also described the Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) as a source for market-analysis work the town needs in initial stages.

Frank Parent moved and Jim Salsgiver seconded a motion authorizing the town to submit NBRC and MPG applications; the motion passed 4–0. The Board also reached consensus that the Planning Commission should move forward with the public hearing on the proposed zoning bylaw language.

What happens next: staff will finalize grant applications and proceed with the Planning Commission’s public hearing schedule. If NBRC or MPG funding is secured, the town intends to use planning and design funds to make the Raptor Lane site competitive for later construction grants.