MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A state panel wants to streamline ways to appeal local development and Act 250 rulings.
If Vermont lawmakers give it the green light, appeals for Act 250 permits would be heard in front of the Land Use Review Board instead of in Environmental Court.
Housing advocates claim the current system allows a handful of people to challenge projects and gum them up in the courts for years, driving up the cost of housing. They say reforming the appeals process is an important piece of the puzzle in solving Vermont’s housing crisis.
“Even if the will of the people, the democratic planning that’s gone into an effort has been focused around a certain outcome, like building more homes, the current system allows individuals to abuse that system and slow down projects for years,” said Miro Weinberger, the executive chair of Let’s Build Homes.
But Act 250 supporters contend the vast majority of projects pass Act 250 without issue. Others question to what degree, if at all, Act 250 contributes to Vermont’s housing shortage.
