Regional commission outlines how Act 181 reshapes future land-use mapping for Jamaica

Chris Davenley, executive director of the Winter Regional Commission, told the Jamaica Select Board on April 13 that Act 181 standardizes future land-use categories across regional plans and will stitch local maps into a statewide map, while clarifying that regional plans remain advisory and do not issue permits.

Davenley said the regional plan mirrors town plans in statutory standing and pointed to state authorities (Act 250 and section 2-48) that guide review of large projects. “The regional planning commission…provides the basis for the policy positions that we take,” he said, and added that the Land Use Review Board will now have the ultimate authority to approve regional plans under the new process. He urged residents to comment on specific rule language and not only submit broad objections.

The presentation included a side-by-side look at Jamaica’s existing town map and the proposed 2026 regional future land-use map; categories shown included village center (Jamaica Village and Rossville), rural general, agricultural/forestry and rural conservation. Davenley noted that state mapping rules require parcel-based boundaries, which can make regional maps look more 'squared off' than locally drawn town maps.

The board and residents asked procedural questions about appeals to the Land Use Review Board and whether LERB could overturn local decisions; Davenley said that appeals and rule details are still being finalized and encouraged citizens to submit targeted comments before the rule comment deadline. The board said it will circulate talking points and sample letters and plans to assemble a town submission ahead of the April 30 close of public comment.