Updating the Future Land Use Map
CVRPC is currently updating our Future Land Use Map. Revised every 8 years as part of the Regional Plan, this map assigns land use categories to guide the location of different types of development. These documents help steer growth and development in our 23 municipalities. As part of the process, CVRPC met with all member municipalities to review the process.
We also welcome input from individual members of the public. You can see the interactive Map here: https://bit.ly/CVRPCFLUMAP
- Left click on parcel to review its properties in a pop-up box. Use the scroll arrows on the side and the bottom of the pop up to see all the information for the parcel
- To leave a comment, click the blue feedback button at the bottom of the left-hand navigation pane and enter the address.
Once adopted, the map will also establish areas where certain projects are exempt from Act 250 permitting requirements, if municipalities chose to opt-in to Tier 1a or Tier 1b.
Land Use Categories
A link to the methodology for Land Use Area classifications can be found here: https://bit.ly/VAPDAFLUA
- Downtown Centers: Mixed-use core with homes, homes, civic spaces and services.
- Village Centers: Smaller, walkable areas with local services and homes clustered together – think village main streets
- Planned Growth Areas: Places with strong development potential which are typically already dense, with homes, jobs, and services nearby
- Village Areas: Areas around Village Centers planned for growth but with fewer services or infrastructure; often quieter than centers
- Transition (Infill) Areas: Existing commercial, mixed-use, or residential zones adjacent to growth centers planned for gradual development or infill
- Enterprise Areas: Areas designated for business or light industrial uses including manufacturing
- Resource-Based Recreation Areas: Regions centered around recreational resources like lakes, ski resorts, or trail networks where outdoor activity is key
- Hamlets: Small, rural clusters of homes, with limited services
- Rural – General: Mostly residential or undeveloped land outside villages or centers
- Rural – Agriculture & Forestry: Land primarily used for farming or forestry, or other working landscapes
- Rural – Conservation: Land set aside to protect natural resources
Tier-Based Review System
The Future Land Use Categories and the Future Land Use Map are meant to guide growth into areas where it makes the most sense, with lessened or removed Act 250 restrictions. Tiers 1a and 1b offer financial and other incentives, and can lessen or remove Act 250 requirements, shifting review to the local, municipal level.
- Tier Tier 1A Downtowns, Village Centers, and Planned Growth areas are the primary places to develop new housing and businesses.
- Tier 1B Village Areas allow for smaller-scale growth connected to these core areas.
- Tier 2 Transition/Infill, Enterprise, Resource-based Recreation areas focus those kinds of development in specific areas. Hamlets are also Tier 2.
- WORK SUSPENDED: Tier 3 Rural Conservation areas The Land Use Review Board (LURB) was tasked with creating rules on what Tier 3 areas would include. This rulemaking has been suspended while Bill S.325 moves through the Vermont State Legislature. The bill as proposed would repeal Tier 3 and the “road rule” parts of Act 181.
- This Tier system will not replace local zoning. Municipalities will need to “opt in” to Tier 1a or Tier 1b if they wish to pursue these Act 250 exemptions. Tier 2 areas will continue with Act 250 review as it has been.