State of Vermont Office of the Secretary of State

The Regional Planning Commission. Regional planning commissions are created by vote of the legislative body or voters of each of a number of contiguous municipalities, upon the written approval of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. 24 V.S.A. § 4341, et. seq. There are twelve regional planning commissions in Vermont and each commission is made of up at least one representative appointed from each member municipality. The regional planning commission assists and advises municipalities in all aspects of planning for future growth. It conducts capacity studies, and prepares a regional plan, considers regional land use issues, local growth center identification and evaluation, economic development, natural resource issues, public/private sector cooperation, and reviews Act 250 projects. The regional commission also serves as a GIS Service Center and a U.S. Census Data Center and provides professional assistance and opinions on local ordinances and bylaw administration. Finally, the regional commission assists towns in obtaining and administering grant funds for community development, housing, economic development, capital improvements, recreation, etc.

Council of Regional Commissions. The Council of Regional Commissions is made up of a representative from each regional commission and three members appointed by the Governor who are state agency or department heads and two members representing the public. The council mediates disputes between municipalities, state agencies and regional commissions, and reviews proposed state agency and regional plans or amendments.
The Environmental Court. The Environmental Court is a trial level court that was created in 1989 to review environmental appeals and enforcement actions including local zoning and land use matters. 4 V.S.A. § 1001 and 10 V.S.A. § 8001 et seq. All appeals from decisions of local boards are appealed to the Environmental Court.

Marge Hayes Heindel,
Grafton Selectboard
(1975-1999)

Arlene H. Degree,
Williston Town Clerk
(1973-1999)

for your many years of service!
It is people like you who make
Vermont special!

* We would like to recognize retiring local officials who have long served their towns. Please let us know if there is someone in your town who should be included in "Opinions."

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