Thomas J. Kennedy

This document outlines the draft regional plan for the Mount Ascutney Regional Planning Commission, updated in response to Act 181 of 2024. The plan establishes a consistent framework for regional development, emphasizing housing targets broken down by town based on factors like population, water/sewer capacity, and planned growth/village areas. It defines future land use categories as mandated by state law and incorporates state designation programs, identifying Tier 1A and 1B areas eligible for Act 250 exemptions to facilitate housing projects and development. Strategic housing targets are set from 2025 to 2050.

The meeting commenced with introductions from facilitators Tigga Christie of Vermont Emergency Management and Allison Hopkins of the Monuskutney Regional Commission. A significant topic discussed was the current uncertain funding situation regarding EMPG funding, which supports collaboration between VEM and regional planning commissions. John Goff, Senior Hydrologist from the National Weather Service, provided a presentation and training on the rollout of Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) based on the national water model. The discussion covered the importance of FIM for communicating flood impacts, deep diving into FIM overview methodology (including the HAND method utilizing Digital Elevation Models and relative elevation modeling), and how FIM and IDSS inform community decision-making. The session was noted to be informal, with provisions made for questions throughout the presentation.

This Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the East Central Vermont Economic Development District outlines a roadmap for achieving a stronger, more diverse, and resilient regional economy. It is guided by six overarching goals: fostering a resilient region, cultivating an innovative business environment, developing a robust and ready workforce, ensuring infrastructure for growth, increasing property values, and enhancing the quality of life and place. The plan's vision is to establish a diverse base of locally successful and globally competitive businesses that contribute to a vibrant quality of life for people of all ages.

This All Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town of Chester, Vermont, aims to identify risks and implement local mitigation strategies to enhance disaster resilience. The plan details a Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and a Mitigation Program with Goals and Strategies, focusing on hazards such as flash floods, fluvial erosion, severe weather, fires, water supply contamination, dam failures, ice jams, earthquakes, hazardous materials spills, and transportation incidents. Its intended outcomes include reducing loss of life and injury, minimizing economic and physical losses, protecting natural and historic resources, ensuring community infrastructure integrity, and integrating hazard mitigation into broader community planning efforts.

The meeting provided a basic introduction to town plans, covering why a town might want to have one, how to create or revise one, statutory requirements, the adoption process, and various regulatory and non-regulatory tools for implementation. It emphasized the importance of assessing existing conditions, envisioning a desired future, and charting a course to get there. The discussion also touched on the need to adjust to changes like climate change and the increasing prevalence of Airbnbs. The meeting also addressed the Vermont planning goals, including the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, compact centers, growth areas, and safe and affordable housing, as well as the land use and housing elements.