The City has launched its 2027 Comprehensive Plan Update, and we need community members to help shape it. We’re recruiting volunteers for three focus groups this spring.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
The Comprehensive Plan is the City's official long-range policy document that guides planning decisions over the next 10-20 years, including land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure. It is the foundation for zoning bylaws, capital investments, and grant eligibility. Vermont law requires cities to update and re-adopt their plan every eight years; ours expires in August 2027.
How is this different from the 2024 Community Vision and Strategic Action Plan?
The 2024 Community Vision and Strategic Action Plan (CVSAP) captured what the community wants: its values and aspirations across six pillars, like Housing, Economic Development, and Environmental Stewardship. The Comprehensive Plan is the formal legal document that translates those values into how we get there, with specific goals, land use maps, and actions the City commits to. The CVSAP feeds directly into the Comp Plan update.
Join a Focus Group
We're convening three small focus groups this spring to help craft specific, actionable policies in the areas where community input matters most. Each group will meet for two separate sessions between April and June, each lasting about 2 hours. Participants will be asked to complete pre-reading materials before each meeting. The Housing & Urban Design group will cover topics such as housing targets, availability, affordability, and rental quality. The Economic & Business Development group will focus on small business support, workforce retention, downtown vitality, and equity. The Energy & Climate Resilience group will address clean energy targets, climate adaptation, stormwater, and heat. Stipends of $75 per meeting are available for selected participants, in accordance with the CCRPC Volunteer Stipend Policy.
To learn more or sign up, visit the Comprehensive Plan webpage.