NRPC News

Upcoming Trainings for Local Officials

March - 2023

Open Meeting Law Refresher

March 30, 2023 - 6:00 p.m.

The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) is hosting a virtual training on the Open Meeting Law on Thursday, March 30^th, from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Topics will include:

Key Requirements of the Open Meeting Law
Temporary Changes to the Open Meeting Law

Whether you are new to a public board or are looking for a refresher on the key parts of the law, this workshop will have something for you. This training will be on Zoom.

Zoom Link for Meeting

APRIL TRAININGS

New FEMA Flood Maps are on the Way:

What Your Town Should Know and How to Be Prepared

April 6^th, 2023, 6:00pm via Zoom. Join Rebecca Pfeiffer, VT River Corridor & Floodplain Protection Program Manager and VT NFIP Coordinator to learn about FEMA’s process of updating and digitizing our region’s National Flood Insurance Rate (NFIP) maps which show the Vermont regulatory floodplain. With the first draft maps expected to be released this Spring, make sure your town is prepared.

Why Housing Matters: A Discussion on Local Housing Concerns for Municipal Officials

Join Greta Brunswick, Senior Planner for the Northwest Regional Planning Commission and Barry Lampke, Project Manager for Housing For All, who will share the results of the 2022 Northwest Region Housing Needs Assessment and facilitate the discussion. This meeting is intended for legislative body members (Selectboard, Trustee, Council), Planning Commissioners, Development Review Board members, and members of other municipal committees. Food and drinks provided.

Thursday, April 13^th, 6:30-8:30pm - Enosburgh Emergency Service Building - Hybrid Meeting (Zoom link)
Thursday, April 20^th, 6:30-8:30pm - North Hero Community Hall -

Hybrid Meeting (Zoom link)

For more information, contact Barry Lampke by email or at (802) 922-1990.

MAY TRAININGS

Essentials in Vermont

Land Use Planning and Regulation

Thursday May 11^th, 2023 at 6:00pm. Be sure to attend this training if new to a Planning Commission or Development Review Board or just need a refresher on the statutory authority for planning and zoning and best practices for meetings, hearings and decision making.

Best Practices and Emerging Trends in Vermont Zoning

Tuesday May 30^th, 2023 at 6:00pm. This training will take a deeper dive into the authority for municipal zoning regulations in Vermont. The training will review in detail the specific types of regulations municipalities are enabled to use in Vermont. To supplement this discussion, current practices from zoning regulations around the State will be highlighted, including emerging trends such as form-based codes and bylaw modernization efforts.