Act 181 

Act 181 (H.687), passed into law June 2024, overhauls Vermont’s planning framework for coordinating state, regional, and municipal land use.  It was frequently referred to as the Act 250 bill.
  • Location-based Jurisdiction: It modernizes how Vermont maps and directs public investments to designated centers and speeds up Act 250’s transition to location-based jurisdiction. This change is intended to encourage housing and other development in areas of Vermont that are planned for growth, contain necessary infrastructure (e.g. water, wastewater), and have sufficient local zoning regulations in place to adequately regulate development.
  • Regional Future Land Use Map: The map used to determine location-based jurisdiction is the Regional Future Land Use Map adopted by regional planning commissions, including MARC, and approved by the State Land Use Review Board (LURB) based upon statutory definitions.
  • Meaningful Participation & Environmental Justice: The Act revises the adoption process that regional plans undergo to provide the opportunity for a more robust and comprehensive public participation process, with a specific focus on environmental justice populations as defined in 3 V.S.A. 6002. It necessitates that RPCs evaluate the distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in the development of the Future Land Use Map.
Goals of new Future Land Use Map and Housing Targets: The new Future Land Use (FLU) Map will guide development in the region by designating areas for growth, conservation, and other purposes based on environmental, infrastructure, and community factors. Additionally, the Department of Housing and Community Development will set regional housing targets, which will be disaggregated by municipality. MARC will work with each municipality to develop municipal plans that can meet these housing targets.
Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs): Selectboards, village trustees, planning commissions and other committees; municipal community members and interest groups representing environmental justice-focused populations; regional and statewide interest groups.


Who makes what decisions? The MARC will attempt to build community consensus between all interested and affected parties, especially each municipality. Ultimately, the MARC Board must ensure the FLU Map complies with legal requirements (24 V.S.A. 4348a) to be approved by the State's Land Use Review Board (LURB).
Resources:
Overview of the MARC’s Act 181 Regional Plan Update Engagement Plan
Goals of Engagement
  1. Ensure all 10 municipalities are fully informed about the Act 181 (H.687) requirements.
  2. Collect detailed input from each municipality to help inform the new Regional Future Land Use Map through multiple forms of engagement.
  3. Foster a collaborative environment to attempt to build community consensus on the Regional Future Land Use Map, including with marginalized communities.
  4. Provide clear, accessible information and resources to all participants throughout the process.
  5. Develop a draft Regional Future Land Use Map with housing targets by December 2025.
 
Engagement Activities and Timeline
  1. MARC Internal Planning and Coordination (Ongoing)
    1. Develop a detailed outline of changes and adoption schedule
    2. Develop education and outreach materials
  2. Education and Outreach (Fall 2024)
    1. Visit with municipal boards to explain Act 181, introduce the project, and outline next steps
    2. Hold a regional meeting(s) to explain Act 181 and review details in it for the regional plan, including the future land use and housing sections
    3. Distribute informational materials to municipalities
    4. Develop specific engagement plans for each community
  3. Develop Mapping Methodology and Housing Targets (Ongoing)
    1. VAPDA is currently working on a future land use mapping methodology
    2. VAPDA is engaged with VHFA and DHCD to help develop housing targets
  4. Develop an Online Future Land Use Mapping Tool (Fall 2024 – Spring 2025)
    1. MARC is currently looking to contract with a consultant to expand our housing suitability model, develop an online tool to assist with mapping future land use areas, and to create a way to gather local access to information and encourage input
  5. Engagement to Inform the Plan Update (Winter 2025 – Summer 2025)
    1. Engage with the MARC Housing Committee and Regional Plan Committee to review changes to regional plan chapters
    2. Conduct municipal and regional meetings to gather input and try to reach a consensus
  6. Review Draft FLU Map and Housing Targets (Summer 2025 – Fall 2025)
    1. Refine drafts with Housing and Regional Plan Committees
    2. Coordinate with neighboring RPCs
    3. Meet with selectboards, trustees and planning commissions to review drafts and get feedback
    4. Present a refined draft with the MARC Board
  7. Finalize Regional Plan Amendments (Fall 2025)
    1. Present final draft regional plan, including amendments to the Land Use Chapter and Maps, and the Housing Chapter
  8. Begin the Formal Adoption Process (Fall 2025 – Summer 2026)