The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC) is a consortium of 23 towns and cities in Washington County and western Orange County.  CVRPC provides a forum in which municipalities work together to address regional issues and opportunities.  It also offers its member communities professional assistance with local planning efforts through its experienced and knowledgeable staff.  During this year, significant time was spent by staff working with member municipalities on mapping, analyses, and policy review in order to understand how current bylaws are likely to influence future development patterns.

The Commission also focused on implementing goals contained in the Regional Plan and the Regional Transportation Plan.  CVRPC assisted towns with implementation of the regional housing distribution plan contained in the Housing element of the Regional Plan.  CVRPC participated in several Act 250 proceedings throughout the Region offering positions and testimony as directed by the Commission's Project Review Committee.  Staff organized workshops and provided technical assistance in response to FEMA's release of new digital flood data and more stringent requirements for local flood hazard bylaws.  The Commission's Transportation Advisory Committee continued to evaluate the regional inter-modal transportation needs and problems and make recommendations to the State Transportation Agency on projects that should be included in the Agency's 5 year capital program.  Staff assisted towns with their portion of the application for Federal Stimulus (ARRA) funds.  CVRPC continued its work on the development of regional and local pre-disaster mitigation plans, population and housing growth projections, and review and approval of town plans as required by statute.  CVPRC also completed assessments on 5 brownfield sites in the Region and is looking for additional commercial/industrial sites that may be contaminated and would qualify for a brownfields assessment.  As an outgrowth of the Central Vermont Economic Collaborative, CVRPC completed the analysis of undeveloped parcels in proximity to existing sewer infrastructure to see if a greater housing density would be feasible.  Staff also developed a regional map of sewer and water service areas.  CVRPC serves as a clearinghouse for information and publications pertaining to planning and municipal government.

CVRPC assisted the Town with: administration of the Mad River Valley Planning District and the Mad River Resource Management Alliance, culvert inventory, pre-disaster mitigation planning, traffic counts, Route 100 Byway study, fluvial erosion hazard mapping, zoning map updates, Mad River path map updates, Act 250 project review, and town planning and zoning assistance.

CVRPC continues to work with local officials to provide GIS mapping, including planning maps for a variety of projects and municipal plans, fluvial erosion hazard areas, and bicycle and pedestrian path suitability maps.  CVRPC is helping local energy committees with energy-related issues that affect the cost of heat, gas, and food.  The Commission also provides assistance in the development of local plans and bylaws, the collection of data, and the administration of grants.  Additional information on the Commission can be found at www.centralvtplanning.org, including our blog and a place to add comments.

Thank you for your continued support.  We look forward to another year of serving our member communities and the Central Vermont Region.

Susan M. Sinclair, Executive Director
Harrison Snapp, Commissioner