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Residents tell lawmakers road-rule changes make rural building harder; urge more outreach
Summary
Multiple residents, including Dylan Field and Tristan, told lawmakers tiered road and permitting rules make it harder for long-time residents to build and remain in rural towns; they asked for clearer outreach, resources, and attention to small-town impacts in any rewrite of Act 181/H.325.
During public comment, residents described how tiered road rules and expanded permitting costs make development in small towns less feasible. Dylan Field told the delegation he felt the rules "didn't make development easier. It made it harder," and urged lawmakers to rethink the burden placed on rural landowners and to provide more local review resources.
Other residents and speakers stressed the need to balance conservation goals with the practical reality of unsewered towns like Jamaica. Tristan and Chrissy Haskins urged legislators to help Jamaica align with similar mountain towns to preserve community viability and local school enrollment. Legislators acknowledged the concerns and said outreach and study committees will be part of the next steps.
