Upcoming Events

VCRD's Inaugural Community Social 

Vermont Council on Rural Development would like you to join them on the shores of Lake Bomoseen on June 13 to learn about VCRD and connect with friends from around the state. More info here!

S.100 Next Steps

Jacob Hemmerick, Community Planning and Policy Manager of the Vermont Department of Housing & Community Development shares the following on recent legislation S.100:

The Department of Housing & Community Development expects the signing of S.100, known as the Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (HOME) Act, soon. This Act amends the Planning & Development statute, Act 250, and other laws to enable new opportunities for housing development within state, regional, and local planning and development regulations.

We understand that you and your stakeholders may have questions regarding the measures the Act includes to address the impacts that Vermont's pressing housing crisis has had on households, especially lower-resourced, vulnerable, and younger households. Once enacted, the Department will develop and share a summary of the HOME Act and publish an online form for collecting questions. These questions will be used to inform the Department's guidance on the Act, which will be made available on a dedicated webpage. While we will make every effort to provide clear answers to common statewide themes, we anticipate that there may be some questions pertaining to specific legal matters or local intricacies that we may not be able to address.  

The Act aims to tackle decades of state and local policies that have contributed to segregation and exclusion in Vermont. This legislation is an important part of a multi-pronged approach to mitigating the housing crisis, and every Vermont town can play a role in bringing about housing solutions, including ending unduly restrictive zoning. While some may find new ways to limit access and opportunities for more affordable homes and new neighbors, we hope cities and towns embrace the opportunity the new legislation offers to become more just and welcoming.

Currently, fifty-six municipalities in Vermont have received Bylaw Modernization Grants from the Department to expand housing opportunities. We expect the HOME Act and Budget Act will provide additional funding for new and revised bylaws through the Municipal Planning Grant and Bylaw Modernization Grant programs. We aim to announce these funding programs later this summer. Finally, the Department is seeking feedback to enhance these programs for FY24. We invite you to participate in this survey and share information about local needs and priorities and suggestions to make these programs better.  

2023 Plan of the Year Award

Congratulations to Michael Gray and Skip Lindsay of the Woodbury Planning Commission, and Clare Rock of CVRPC on their recognition from the Vermont Planners Association. Vision of the Future - 2021 Woodbury Town Plan has been chosen for the 2023 Plan of the Year. The Plan was chosen out of a field of competitive nominations, and the judging was performed by an out-of-state group of planners and endorsed by the Vermont Planners Association Executive Committee. Formal presentation of the awards will be held in conjunction with VPA's spring conference on June 2nd in Randolph.

Village Center Designation - Town of Worcester

Congratulations to the Town of Worcester on its recent Village Center designation.

Some of the benefits included in this designation include priority consideration for various grants, tax credits, and technical assistance provided by the state to support local village revitalization and planning efforts.

CVRPC is here to support the towns in our region as they pursue such designations and/or renewals.