SECOND PUBLIC HEARING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE
BENNINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL PLAN
The Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) will conduct a second hybrid public hearing to
gather public comment on the 2026 Bennington County Regional Plan. This meeting will take place on
Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Arlington Town Office, 3828 VT Route 7A,
Arlington, Vermont 05250.
To attend remotely:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85351610871?pwd=dtT3UxjSGiWKQN4vWS1BJ0RhgCxdpz.1
Meeting ID: 853 5161 0871 Passcode: 178295
A. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
These hearings are being held pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4348 and §4352. This notice is provided pursuant
to 24 V.S.A. §4444. Per Vermont Statute, BCRC seeks general comments and specific comments with
respect to the extent to which the plan is consistent with the goals established in 24 VSA § 4302, and
whether the enhanced energy portion of the plan complies with the requirements of 24 V.S.A.
§4348(a)(3), §4352, and the enhanced energy planning standards.
The Bennington County Regional Plan celebrates the unique places and people that make up the
Bennington region and offers a guide for its development, growth, and preservation in the coming years.
This plan addresses issues across a range of topics to create a comprehensive tool for policies, programs,
and development throughout the region. The plan also will also be used as regulatory review criteria in
Act 250 and Section 248 proceedings.
In addition, the draft regional plan incorporates revisions required by state legislation enacted in 2024,
including the following elements:
- A regional Future Land Use Map identifying Act 181-compliant future land use areas
- A map of areas eligible for the State Designation Program, which can provide tax credits and other
incentives to support revitalization and development - A map of areas opting into Tier 1B Act 250 Jurisdiction
- Municipal Housing Targets, specifying the number of new housing units needed by 2030 and 2050, as
determined by the state’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
B. AREA COVERED
The proposed regional plan affects the entire BCRC service area, which includes fourteen towns and
three villages in Bennington County.
C. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Natural Systems
o Natural Resources
o Climate Resilience
o Landscape and Character (Rural)
Living and Growing
o Landscape and Character (Growth)
o Housing
o Local Economy
Supporting Infrastructure
o Mobility and Transportation
o Energy
o Utilities, Facilities, and Infrastructure Services
People and Community
o Wellbeing and Recreation
o Community Life
o Education
Coordination and Implementation
o Governance and Coordination
o Implementation Matrix
D. WHERE THE FULL PLAN MAY BE EXAMINED:
Copies of the proposed plan are available at the BCRC offices at 210 South Street, Suite 6, in
Bennington, Vermont and online at: http://www.bcrcvt.org/regional-plan.html. For further information,
please contact Bill Colvin at (802) 442-0713 or bcolvin@bcrcvt.org.
Bill Colvin, Bennington County Regional Commission Executive Director
