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ADOPTION OF PLANS AND BYLAWS
Publications:
Plan and Bylaw Adoption Tools
Download options:
175 kb Word file
105 kb pdf file
AGRICULTURE
Data:
Agriculture Statistics (VT Agency of Agriculture)
Publications:
Agriculture Publications (VT Agency of Agriculture)
UVM Extension Publications
AIR QUALITY
Data:
Real-Time Air Quality Data (VT DEC)
Realtime pollution maps and forecasts ("HazeCam")
Vermont Emission Inventories (VT DEC)
EPA map of Vermont radon zones (US EPA)
Publications:
VT ANR Air Pollution Control Division Publication List
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management Publications Library
Indoor Air Quality Resources Guide (VT Dept. of Health)
Air Quality Fact Sheet on Volatile Air Compounds (VT Dept. of Health)
Air Quality and Forest Health (VT ANR)
Organizations:
The Vermont Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) of the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) monitors air quality and air pollution sources, proposes regulations to improve existing
air quality, ensures compliance with the regulations, and issues permits to control pollution from sources of air
contaminants across the state.
EVermont, a non-profit organization dedicated reducing automobile emissions in Vermont
by increasing the number of clean, alternative fuel vehicles used in the state.
The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM).
Air Map, mapping New England's changing climate and air quality.
BROWNFIELDS
Organizations:
The Brownfields Program of
VT DEC (ANR) provides expertise and resources for the redevelopment of contaminated properties.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Data:
Vermont Indicators Online (CRS / VCGI)
American FactFinder (US Census)
Vermont Community Data Bank (CRS)
Vermont State Data Center (CRS / US Census)
Population Estimates (US Census)
Demographic Profiles for Vermont (US Census)
School District Demographics (US Census)
Supervisory Union Community Profiles (VT AHS)
Publications:
Community Assessment: Data Collection Techniques (CRS)
Planning Commissioners Journal (some how-to information under "Planning Articles")
Organizations:
UVM Center for Rural Studies (CRS)
US Census Bureau
Vermont State Data Center (CRS / US Census)
Vermont's Regional Planning Commissions
DESIGN
Publications:
Groundswell, a publication of the Vermont Design
Institute about sustainable community design and planning.
Organizations:
The Vermont Design Institute is a non-profit-organization whose mission is
to facilitate community planning and design at the local level; provide
hands-on education about creating livable, sustainable communities; and
promote more holistic design as a tool for problem-solving.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Publications:
Zoning Administrators Handbook - with basic principles of zoning
administration and enforcement and their application to a wide range of problems likely to be encountered.
Development Review Templates - templates for development
review hearing notices, findings of fact and decisions.
Bylaw Samples and Adoption Tools - two products with tips and suggestions on
creating and adopting local development review (or zoning) bylaws.
Manual of Procedures for Administration and Enforcement of Vermont Zoning Bylaws - provides sample language and commentary for updating the procedural sections
of municipal zoning bylaws to meet the Chapter 117 requirements adopted in 2004.
Other Resources:
VT Zoning Administrators email listserve to
share questions and answers on local zoning and development review in Vermont.
The notes and presentations from the workshop
JAM Golf LLC. vs. City of South Burlington: Lessons for Vermont Communities
posted on the Vermont Law School website (within the event listing).
Quicklist of Chapter 117 Information and Tools - a list of tools and
information on local planning and development review law, organized by specific items and issues.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Data:
Economic Census (US Census)
Vermont Employment and Wages (VT Labor)
Vermont Labor Market Information (VT Labor)
"ThinkVermont" Economic Data (VT DED)
Publications:
"ThinkVermont" Publications (VT DED)
Vermont Downtown Program Publications (VT DHCA)
Organizations:
VT Dept. of Economic Development ("ThinkVermont")
VT Chamber of Commerce
Vermont Downtown Program (VT DHCA)
VT Workforce Development (Labor)
VT DED Regional Resources
VT Regional Development Corporations
VT Regional Planning Commissions
EDUCATION & SCHOOLS
Data:
Vermont School Report (VT DOE / CRS)
School Data & Reports (VT DOE)
Publications:
Schools & Planning Resources (PCJ)
Statewide Education Funding System Materials (Act 68) (VT DOE)
Equity and Excellence Action Planning Guide (VT DOE)
Alternative Education Programs and Schools in Vermont (VT DOE)
High Schools on the Move (VT DOE)
Organizations:
Vermont Department of Education (VT DOE)
Governor's Institutes of Vermont
Center for Health and Learning
Teacher Quality Enhancement Network
VT Institute for Science, Mathematics, and Technology (VISMT)
VT Information Technology Association (VITA-Learn)
ENERGY
Publications:
Vermont Law School Land Use Institute presentation Incorporating Energy Conservation & Efficiency Into Municipal Planning: PDF Version [3 mb] or
Link to Powerpoint Presentation [5 mb]
VT Department of Public Service Plans & Publications
Organizations:
VT Department of Public Service (VT DPS)
Energy Efficiency (VT DPS)
Efficiency Vermont (VT DPS)
FLOODING & FLOODPLAINS
Publications:
Preparing for the Next Flood: VT Floodplain Management (Vermont Law School Land Use Institute)
Guide to FEMA Floodplain Management Publications
Floodplain Fact Sheets (TRORC)
Organizations:
VT Flood Hazard Management (VT ANR)
National Flood Insurance Program
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Data:
National Register of Historic Places
Publications:
Historic Preservation Resources for Local Officials (VT DHP)
Renovating Older and Historic Buildings in Vermont (VT Public Safety)
Accessibility Information (VT Public Safety)
Caring for Your Historic Building (US Park Service) - preservation
guidelines that apply to all state and federally funded work on historic buildings, the Secretary of the Interior's Standards
for Rehabilitation, what they are and how to apply them
Organizations:
Vermont Division for Historic Preservation (VT DHP)
Vermont Downtown Program (VT DHP)
Preservation Trust of Vermont
National Trust for Historic Preservation
HOUSING
Data:
Vermont Housing Data (CRS / VHFA)
Vermont Indicators Online (CRS / VCGI)
Building Permit Data (US Census)
Property Valuation and Review (VT Taxes)
Property Transfer Data (VT Taxes)
American FactFinder (US Census)
HUD Data Sets
Fannie Mae - KnowledgePlex
National Assoc. of Home Builders - Economic & Housing Data
Publications:
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Housing and Wages in Vermont (PDF) (Housing Awareness Campaign)
...2003 Update (PDF)
Organizations:
Vermont Neighborhoods Program (VT DEHCD)
Vermont Housing Division (VT DHCA)
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA)
Vermont Housing Awareness Campaign
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
VT Assoc. of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA)
LAND
Data:
Vermont State Lands Listings (VT FPR)
County Level Soil Survey Data (NRCS)
Statewide Generalized Soils Map (NRCS)
Vermont Land Cover Data Directory (EPA)
VT Endangered and Threatened Plants List (VT ANR)
VT Rare and Uncommon Native Plant Species List (VT ANR)
Publications:
A Planning Tool for Conservationists: Spatial Modeling of Past and Future Land Use in Vermont Towns (UVM SAL)
Vermont's Forests: Growing, Changing (VT ANR)
Vermont Forest Resource Plan 1999-2008 (VT FPR)
Vermont State Lands: Land Acquisition (VT FPR)
Organizations:
UVM Spatial Analysis Lab (UVM SAL)
VT Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation (VT FPR) (VT ANR)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (USDA)
Vermont Geologic Survey (VT ANR)
National Community Forestry Center - Northeast Forest Region
LAND CONSERVATION
Data:
Vermont Conserved Lands Database (UVM SAL)
Publications:
The Impact of Vermont's Farmland Conservation Program on Program Participants -
a study finding that farmland conservation program helps farmers thrive (VLT)
...Executive Summary
Vermont Land Trust Publications List
Land Conservation: The Case For Perpetual Easements (VLT)
The Challenges of Purchasing Development Rights in Transportation Corridors: Lessons from Vermont & Beyond -
includes a primer on valuation of conservation easements (VT DHCA)
Organizations:
Vermont Land Trust (VLT) - land stewardship and conservation organization
List of land trusts in Vermont (VLT)
Nature Conservancy - mission is to preserve the
plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they
need to survive
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) - an independent, state-supported funding
agency providing grants, loans and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations, municipalities and state agencies for the
development of perpetually affordable housing and for the conservation of important agricultural land, recreational land,
natural areas and historic properties in Vermont
Vermont Rivers Conservancy - buys water-related lands for
conservation
Champlain Valley Greenbelt Alliance (CVGA) - committed to the creation of greenbelts along major road corridors as a way to conserve Vermont's treasured resources and view corridors
LAND USE
Publications: Organizations: MAPPING / GIS Data: MEETING PROCEDURES & REGULATIONS Vermont municipal planning and zoning boards may enact administrative rules of procedure as
necessary and appropriate to guide the conduct of their meetings. Quasi-judicial hearings, however, must be noticed and
conducted in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The Northwest Vermont Project products and materials (RPCs)
VT Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs (VT DHCA), Planning Division
Vermont's Regional Planning Commissions
Vermont Forum on Sprawl
VCGI Data Warehouse
U.S. Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles (ESRI / US Census)
The Vermont Mapping Program
VT ANR Internet Mapping Site
U.S. Maps and Data (GeoData)
GIS Data Map Studio (USGS)
Geodata.gov one-stop for map products
USDA ERS Mapping and Spatial Data Center
National Wetlands Inventory GIS Data for Vermont (US FWS)
Vermont's Regional Planning Commissions
Publications:
GIS: Helping Vermonters Visualize Choice (PDF) (VCGI)
Organizations:
Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI)
UVM Spatial Analysis Lab (UVM SAL)
The Vermont Mapping Program
Vermont Geologic Survey (VT ANR)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Vermont's Regional Planning Commissions
Vermont Statutes and Regulations:
Vermont Municipal Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA)
Vermont Open Meeting and Vermont Public Records Laws
...Open Meeting Law (VLCT)
...Vermont Public Records (VLCT)
Conflict of Interest Prohibition (24 V.S.A. §1984)
Adoption and Enforcement of Ordinances and Rules
Publications:
Vermont Institute for Government Publications:
...Born to Chair - An Introduction to the Science and Art of Chairing a Board Meeting (PDF)
...Changing the World - A Guide To Public Meetings
Drawing Clear Lines - Adopting Conflict
of Interest Ordinances for Local Officials (VT Secretary of State)
Surviving the Contentious Meeting - VLCT News, May 2003
Municipal Guide to Land Use Regulation (VT Secretary of State)
Organizations:
VT League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) Municipal Assistance Center
Vermont Judiciary Homepage - (including VT Environmental Court and VT Supreme Court
Vermont Secretary of State
Vermont's Regional Planning Commissions