March, 2017

Upcoming Training Opportunities
Sponsored by NRPC  

 
Zoning Administrator's Roundtable 
This training is designed for regional Zoning Administrators and professional planners (but DRB and PC members are welcome to attend). The morning session will consist of a presentation from Efficiency Vermont about residential and commercial energy standards and a roundtable discussion with fellow ZAs regarding various topics of interest. In the afternoon, a representative from FEMA will conduct a training focused on managing development through the National Flood Insurance Program. Please RSVP to Taylor Newton by email or at 802-524-5958. Space is limited!
 
Place: St. Albans Free Library
Address: 11 Maiden Lane, St. Albans, VT 
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 

Essentials of Land Use Planning 
Are you a new Development Review Board or Planning Commission member? Or a seasoned member that needs a refresher course? Please join NRPC for a training on the essentials of land use planning and regulation in Vermont. This training will focus on the basics: Municipal Plans, PC/DRB/ZBA roles and responsibilities, and meeting/hearing procedures. Town staff and Selectboard members are also encouraged to attend. Here are the details:
 
Place: Enosburgh Emergency Services Building
Address: 83 Sampsonville Road (VT 105), Enosburg Falls, VT
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2017
Time: 6:30 p.m. 
 
Feel free to share with other boards or commissions along with community members that may be interested in attending! If you have any specific questions, please contact NRPC by email or at  802-524-5958. RSVPs are appreciated!
 

Act 174 Implementation (Enhanced Energy Planning) 
NRPC will hold a training for municipal officials on enhanced energy planning and the implementation of Act 174. The meeting will focus on how municipalities can amend their municipal plans to include in-depth energy planning that emphasizes achieving the goals of the Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan. The meeting will also outline how municipalities may gain "substantial deference" instead of "due consideration" in Public Service Board proceedings. This training is designed for Selectboard members, Planning Commission members, and any other community members interested in completing enhanced energy planning. Here are the details:
 
Place: Northwestern Medical Center - Conference Room #1
Address: 133 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT
Date: Monday, May 1, 2017 
Time: 6:30 p.m. 



 
Local Emergency Operations Plans (LEOPs)
2017 Updates are Due May 1st  

This a friendly reminder that Local Emergency Operations Plans (LEOPs) are due on May 1, 2017 in order to meet the Vermont Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund and several public safety related grant requirements. The Northwest Regional Planning Commission is able to assist your municipality in updating the LEOP. There have been no modifications to the LEOP since last year, so municipalities can focus on updating local information. The LEOP and Appendices (optional) may be found here.

Contact Shaun Coleman at the Northwest Regional Planning Commission by email or at 802-524-5958 if you need a copy of your last certified plan and/or to send your 2017 locally certified plan or if you need further information/assistance. Updated or new certified plans will then get filed with the State and Mutual Aid partners for use in emergency situations.





BioFinder 2016
Mapping Community's Conservation Resources 

Please join Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department for this free workshop! Interactive trainings will get you using our updated, online mapping tool: BioFinder. This mapping resource helps you find the places most important for maintaining biodiversity, even as the climate changes. It includes maps of Vermont's connected forests and waterways, locations of important ecological resources, and other information used for conservation and land use planning. By zooming in and out to different scales, BioFinder helps you see what role a local area plays in a larger context. Find the website at BioFinder.vermont.gov, and join us to learn more!
 
Everyone is welcome, but since space is limited, pre-registration is required. Please   email to sign up or learn more. 
 
Have you used BioFinder in the past? The maps have changed! Updates include new information, a new online platform, and new, user-friendly tools. Workshop will be appropriate for first-time users or those interested in learning updates to a familiar tool." Here are the details for this workshop:

Place: St. Albans Community College of Vermont
Address: 142 South Main Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
Date: Saturday, April 1, 2017 
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
   


Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Address: 75 Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
Phone: 802.524.5958      Fax: 802.527.2948     Website: www.nrpcvt.com