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Why Planning?

Land use planning is not a new idea. The ancient Romans designed their cities around specific plans and for specific purposes. Here in the United States municipal planning goes back to colonial times when a plan was adopted for the settlement of Philadelphia in 1682. However, these plans of the horse and buggy days were the visions and aspirations of a very few people.

Today in Vermont, the planning process is quite different. Developing a comprehensive plan for a city or town involves extensive citizen participation, and is a prerequisite to the adoption of most land use regulations.

The need for planning in Vermont became apparent when construction of the interstate highway system fueled economic growth in the 1960's, and land use planning began to focus on environmental protection and growth management.

In 1968 the Vermont Legislature enacted a law that prescribed the contents of municipal plans as well as the process for their adoption. Under this new law, the planning commission would hold hearings and send the plan to the legislative body (select board) for additional hearings and eventual adoption. These plans would expire after five years and any regulations that were adopted could not be amended until the plan was re-adopted or amended.

2006 saw the passing of Act 183, The Growth Centers Legislation. It provides incentives for development in and around compact, mixed-use town and village centers.

Challenges such as dependence on the automobile, a rapidly aging population, and lack of affordable housing continue to drive many of the planning processes around the state.

Here in Concord, our first town plan was created and adopted in 1992. In 1997 that plan expired and has never been re-adopted or amended.

The advantages of planning for Concord are myriad. They include:

• The ability to update antiquated and inconsistent zoning laws.
• The ability to apply for grant monies, many of which are unavailable without an approved town plan.
• The ability for the town to be involved in act 250 hearings.
• The ability for the townspeople to chart their own course and define what Concord is, and what we wish Concord to be.

Too many years have passed since the expiration of our first town plan, and we, the residents of Concord, are beginning to pay the price.

No longer can we apply for grant money for the many projects that need to be done. No longer can we have any say in any major development that may be proposed within our borders. Nor can we update our antiquated zoning bylaws that are making so many proposed projects in Concord so difficult for our residents to achieve.

We, the Concord Planning Board, have set a goal to start anew and draft a town plan by June of this year. It's a lofty goal, but with the help of everyone from our school children to great grandma, it can be achieved.

We're seeing the changes all around us. From proposed massive renewable energy projects, to major developments around Burke Mountain, to the explosive growth across the river in Littleton, to options taken on land off I-93 in Waterford.

Concord will not be un-affected.

Please join us. Our Planning Board will consist of nine voting members, who will in turn oversee numerous sub-committees whose goal it will be to gain an understanding of who we are, where we came from, and how we want to grow.

Please. Join us at our next meeting, and be a part of Concord's future!

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Town of Concord Vermont, Main St. P.O. Box 317, Concord VT USA, 05824-0317 (802) 695-2220