Remember the 8-track tape? It seemed like such a good idea 50 years ago, but the truth was that sooner or later, the tape would get tangled up in the player, garbling the sound and costing you time and money. Act 250 is like that. It was a good idea when it was passed in 1970, but it has become outdated and cumbersome.
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Act 250 is a land use and development law that regulates major projects in Vermont. It was passed in response to rapid development in the state, and it has been credited with protecting Vermont's environment and quality of life.
However, Act 250 has also become a major barrier to development. The process is long and complex, and it can be difficult to get a project approved. This has made it harder to build affordable housing and attract new businesses to Vermont.
There are a number of changes that could be made to modernize Act 250. One would be to streamline the permitting process. Another would be to give more flexibility to local communities to make decisions about development.
Finally, Act 250 could be updated to reflect the changing needs of Vermonters.
Here are five changes to Act 250 that would promote smart growth and housing choices:
- Streamline the permitting process. The current permitting process is long and complex, and it can be difficult to get a project approved. Streamlining the process would make it easier for developers to build affordable housing and other projects that benefit Vermonters.
- Give more flexibility to local communities. Local communities know best what is best for their own communities. Giving local communities more flexibility to make decisions about development would help them to meet the needs of their residents.
- Update Act 250 to reflect the changing needs of Vermonters. Act 250 was passed in 1970, and the state has changed a lot since then. Updating Act 250 to reflect the changing needs of Vermonters would help to ensure that the law continues to serve the state well into the future.
- Create a new office to oversee Act 250. The current Act 250 program is administered by the Natural Resources Board. Creating a new office to oversee Act 250 would help to ensure that the program is managed effectively and efficiently.
- Provide more funding for Act 250. The current Act 250 program is underfunded. Providing more funding for the program would help to ensure that it can effectively carry out its mission.
Modernizing Act 250 would be good for Vermont. It would make it easier to build affordable housing and attract new businesses. It would also make the state more attractive to people who want to live in a beautiful and livable place.
It is highly likely that the overwhelming majority of the supporters of the "as is" Act 250 own homes in Vermont and are happily living that ideal bucolic life far from any of the realities of the housing crisis.
That seems contrary to the Vermont motto of "Freedom and Unity" and more like their own motto: "I Got Mine."
