2026 Regional Plan Update

Plan

Maps

Overview

WRC is updating its current 2025 Regional Plan to comply with the Act 181 legislation passed in 2024. Act 181 reformed Vermont’s framework for coordinating state, regional, and municipal land use planning. The focus of this Regional Plan update will be on the Land Use and Housing Chapters in particular. WRC anticipates completing a draft of the Regional Plan update by the summer of 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Bachler, Senior Planner, at 802-257-4547 ext. 112 or mbachler@windhamregional.org.

First Public Hearing on Draft Regional Plan

The first public hearing on the draft Regional Plan will be held on Tuesday, August 18th at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will take place at WRC’s office, 139 Main Street, Suite 505, Brattleboro, and remotely via Zoom. For additional information and remote meeting access, click here.

Report on Conformance with State Planning Goals & Required Plan Elements, click here
Guidelines for Requesting Tier 1 Exemption & Revisions to Future Land Use Map, click here

Land Use Review Board Preapplication

WRC submitted the required preapplication for its draft Regional Plan to the Land Use Review Board on June 5th. The Land Use Review Board completed a site visit around the region and held a public meeting in Brattleboro on July 8th. Preapplication materials and other related documents can be viewed on the Land Use Review Board’s database.

Public Meetings on Draft Regional Plan:

The Windham Regional Commission held two public meetings on the draft Regional Plan update in May. The presentation recording and slides from the May 20th virtual meeting can be viewed below:

Public meeting slides: click here
Public meeting recording: click here

Please see below for links to additional information about Act 181:

WRC Summary of Act 181: click here
WRC Summary of Act 152: click here
WRC Act 181 FAQ: click here
Vermont Land Use Review Board Act 181 website: click here

Draft Regional Plan Text

The draft Regional Plan update is now at the first public hearing stage. Draft chapters and maps are available to review below. The draft plan was submitted to the Land Use Review Board on June 5th for their review and comment. WRC will complete additional updates to the plan after comments are received from the LURB and following the public hearing on August 18th. Any comments or questions can be directed to Matt Bachler: mbachler@windhamregional.org.

Chapter 1 , Introduction
Chapter 2 , Regional Profile
Chapter 3, Land Use
Chapter 4, Natural Resources
Chapter 5 , Transportation
Chapter 6, Community Utilities, Facilities, and Services
Chapter 7, Energy
Chapter 8, Housing
Chapter 9, Economic Development
Chapter 10, Educational, Cultural, and Recreational Resources
Chapter 11, Implementation
Appendix A, Equity and Environmental Justice
Appendix B, Regional LEAP Targets
Appendix C, Regional Energy Use and Targets Methodology
Appendix D, Municipal Energy Data Analysis and Targets
Appendix E, Regional and Municipal Housing Allocation Methodologies
Appendix F, Implementation Matrix

Draft Maps

Draft Regional Plan Maps, link to PDF of all 22 maps, including the Future Land Use map (to see bookmarks, right click and save the PDF to your computer)

Draft Regional Future Land Use map:

WRC has completed a draft update of the Windham Regional Future Land Use Map to address Act 181 requirements:

Draft Regional Future Land Use Interactive Map: link, last updated June 5, 2026
Draft Regional Future Land Use PDF Map: link, last updated June 5, 2026

WRC is meeting with each town in the Windham Region to review the draft regional future land use map. Upcoming meeting dates and the draft maps for individual towns in the region can be viewed below.

Draft Individual Town Future Land Use Maps (last updated June 5, 2026):

July 21, 2026