MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Top Democrats at the Statehouse Thursday pushed back against Governor Phil Scott’s concerns over the pace of Act 250 reforms.
The governor Wednesday criticized a pair of bills addressing Act 250, which he says will make it harder to build housing. But House lawmakers say the bills are aimed at modernizing the 53-year-old land use law, balancing incentives for housing, and protecting natural resources to help Vermont prepare for the effects of climate change.
Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury, says that her bill is still in development and that it lets towns roll back Act 250 jurisdiction in designated core growth areas. “Every single state has a housing shortage and we’re the only state with Act 250 — and I’d argue we’re the only state that looks as beautiful as we do. And I think it’s important when we’re making changes to our statewide land use regulation to keep that in mind,” Sheldon said. The bill is the result of a working group and several reports commissioned by the Legislature.
Sheldon also questions the governor’s assertion that Act 250 is the sole reason for the state’s housing challenges.
Lawmakers are also working on the BeHOME Act, which the governor has said he supports.
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