Constituents from across the state came to the steps of the Vermont state House Tuesday, calling for changes or a full repeal of Act 181.That legislation passed in 2024. It was vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott but was pushed through by the then democratic supermajority. The law made changes to land use and housing development. However, certain provisions have yet to go into effect, which has drawn interest from the governor and some lawmakers to stop or change them before they begin. One of those provisions is the Road Construction Jurisdiction or “road rule.” It would go into effect this July. As it currently stands, if a property owner wanted to build an 800-foot-long private road or a 2,000-foot-long driveway, the owner would have to get an Act 250 permit. Another provision is mapping rules that would identify “critical natural resource areas.” Vermont’s Land Use Review Board said they plan to finalize that map this summer, and certain development may require Act 250 review. This would go into effect in December this year. Those on the steps of the state house said the Act 250 process is both timely and costly. Ashley LaRoache from East Concord said her family wants to make additions to their property, but would have to deal with Act 250 if the provision went into effect. “Our property is effectively barred from further development, preventing us from building, growing, or creating based on our dreams without heavy permits from people we’ve never met,” LaRoache said. “It feels like we’re frozen in place.”Sen. Anne Watson (D/P- Montpelier) and Rep. Laura Sibilia (I- Dover) were confronted by heckling shouts from some in the crowd of hundreds. They emphasized that they want to work with constituents, but don’t want to see outcomes that could lead to gentrification in rural areas of the state. “We are here, and we need you engaged with us. Please continue to stay engaged, and we look forward to working with you,” Sibilia said.“If I had any say, I would have everybody be a farmer,” Watson said. “I would have a goat in every yard, I’d have a vegetable garden in every yard, and we need policies to protect that.” Legislation could push back the implementation of Act 181 provisions such as the road rule and mapping rules, but it’s unclear how it will track.
Constituents from across the state came to the steps of the Vermont state House Tuesday, calling for changes or a full repeal of Act 181.
That legislation passed in 2024. It was vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott but was pushed through by the then democratic supermajority.
The law made changes to land use and housing development. However, certain provisions have yet to go into effect, which has drawn interest from the governor and some lawmakers to stop or change them before they begin.
One of those provisions is the Road Construction Jurisdiction or “road rule.” It would go into effect this July. As it currently stands, if a property owner wanted to build an 800-foot-long private road or a 2,000-foot-long driveway, the owner would have to get an Act 250 permit.
Another provision is mapping rules that would identify “critical natural resource areas.” Vermont’s Land Use Review Board said they plan to finalize that map this summer, and certain development may require Act 250 review. This would go into effect in December this year.
Those on the steps of the state house said the Act 250 process is both timely and costly. Ashley LaRoache from East Concord said her family wants to make additions to their property, but would have to deal with Act 250 if the provision went into effect.
“Our property is effectively barred from further development, preventing us from building, growing, or creating based on our dreams without heavy permits from people we’ve never met,” LaRoache said. “It feels like we’re frozen in place.”
Sen. Anne Watson (D/P- Montpelier) and Rep. Laura Sibilia (I- Dover) were confronted by heckling shouts from some in the crowd of hundreds. They emphasized that they want to work with constituents, but don’t want to see outcomes that could lead to gentrification in rural areas of the state.
“We are here, and we need you engaged with us. Please continue to stay engaged, and we look forward to working with you,” Sibilia said.
“If I had any say, I would have everybody be a farmer,” Watson said. “I would have a goat in every yard, I’d have a vegetable garden in every yard, and we need policies to protect that.”
Legislation could push back the implementation of Act 181 provisions such as the road rule and mapping rules, but it’s unclear how it will track.