Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is charged with setting the overall policy and goals for land development and use in town.  The primary functions of the Commission are to prepare and amend the Town Plan and the Land Use Regulations.  The Commission may also engage in other activities related to planning matters, including holding public hearings, discussion forums, and surveys to determine future needs of the town; conducting planning reports and studies; and educating the public about current issues facing the municipality.  State law provides planning commissions with broad authority to plan for the future needs of their communities including on matters of downtown and village revitalization, transportation, economic and social development, and conservation of energy and the development of renewable energy resources. 

The State Legislature’s general purposes and goals for planning commissions are stated under Title 24 V.S.A. § 4302.

Current work as of May 26, 2023

• Amending the Land Use Regulations, including those particularly pertaining to removing potential barriers to housing production and supporting the creation of a range of housing types
• Supporting the development of a multi-modal Corridor Plan for Canal Street and Bridge Street, from Exit 1 to the Hinsdale Bridge, which will consider safety and use improvements, green street principles, and future land uses
• Discussing the next focus of amendments to the Land Use Regulations, which may include changes to historic preservation and to parking of bicycles and automobiles
• Encouraging implementation of the recently completed:
  • Downtown Design Plan, which focuses on improving public spaces and connectivity in the downtown
  • Housing Action Plan, which identifies Brattleboro's housing needs and presents strategies to address the most pressing issues
  • Bike-Walk Master Plan, which identifies and plans a network of facilities that will improve the safety, convenience, and connections between destinations for those traveling by bike or on foot
• Implementing recommendations on advancing solar energy generation compiled by our past Preferred Siting Subcommittee

Membership

The Commission has seven member seats, each with a term of four years. Current commissioners and their term expirations: 

Tom Mosakowski - Chair 
Term ending 6/24

Dan Handy - Clerk 
Term ending 6/26

Lindsey Britt 
Term ending 6/27

Sarah Lang
Term ending 6/25

Todd Murchinson
Term ending 6/25

Lina Menard
Term ending 6/24)

Vacancy (6/24) 

Contact

For more information regarding the commission, participating at meetings, specific accommodations or accessibility issues, contacting commissioners, or anything else relevant, please contact the Planning Director Sue Fillion at [email protected].

Meetings

The Commission generally meets on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. via Zoom and in person at a location stated on the agenda. To have a topic considered for inclusion on a meeting’s agenda, it should be proposed by the Monday of two weeks before the meeting. Agendas will be available by the Friday of two weeks before the meeting. Visit the Meeting Information tab to access the meeting schedule, agendas & minutes, and supporting documents.