Town Plan 2026 Steering Committee

Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Town Hall and can be attended remotely, please see agenda. Questions may be forwarded to Keith Oborne, Director of Planning and Zoning at koborne@ richmondvt.gov or by phone at 802 336-2289.

Purpose Statement:

The Richmond Town Plan 2026 Steering Committee will coordinate the development of Richmond’s Town Plan 2026 by engaging with the public, town committees, Planning Commission and Selectboard, and by reviewing and revising the 2018 Town Plan according to public input received as well as new regional and statutory requirements. Town Plan 2026 must be adopted by November 5, 2026 to remain active, but the goal is to complete the work and put to a town-wide vote on Town Meeting Day in March 2026. Tasks, Structures and Procedures link below.

Tasks, Structures and Procedures

Richmond Town Plan 2026

What is the Town Plan?

The Town Plan is Richmond's roadmap for the future - guiding decisions about growth, development, and community priorities for the next 8 years. It addresses everything from housing and transportation to natural resources and economic development.

Why Update Now?

Our current Town Plan expires in November 2026
Richmond has evolved since the 2018 plan was adopted - we need to ensure the plan reflects our community's current priorities
We need to incorporate new state requirements and regional planning goals

How You Can Participate

We need your feedback! The Steering Committee is gathering input from residents on what’s working, what needs adjustment, and what new priorities have emerged since 2018. You can comment on any or all of the 11 topic areas that matter most to you.

Town Plan Topics

The Town Plan is a long document with 11 required sections. To make it easier for you to participate in the review process, we've set it up to review section by section. Feel free to comment on any sections that interest you at any time during the public comment period, which runs through the end of August 2025.

For each section of the Town Plan described below you’ll find a brief description, and links for more detailed information and the comment form for each section.

For complete details, you can also refer to the full 2018 Town Plan.

1. Community Development

This section addresses how Richmond functions as a community, including access to essential goods and services, transparent government, recreation opportunities, cultural offerings, and public health and safety.

2. Economic Development

This section focuses on supporting local businesses, encouraging appropriate development in the village center and Gateway area (from the interstate exit to the cemetery), protecting working lands, promoting recreation destinations, and supporting renewable energy initiatives.

3. Education

This section covers our relationship with the school district, early childhood programs, school transportation challenges, and the use of schools as community resources.

4. Emergency Resilience

This section addresses our vulnerability to flooding, resilience of critical infrastructure, emergency services (e.g. Fire Department, Richmond Rescue, police]), shelter planning, and coordination during emergency events.

5. Energy

This section covers initiatives to reduce energy use, support for renewable energy, efforts to improve weatherization and heating efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure, and transportation energy use.

6. Future Land Use

This section guides where and how development happens in Richmond, addressing our village center, growth areas, rural character, forest preservation, and preventing sprawl.

7. Historic Resources

This section focuses on preserving Richmond's connections to its past, including historic buildings, documenting town history, maintaining cemeteries, and supporting community traditions.

8. Housing

This section addresses our diverse housing types, availability and affordability challenges, flood risks to homes, options for seniors and young families, and targeted growth near the village.

9. Natural Resources

This section focuses on protecting our rivers and wetlands, forest resources, wildlife corridors, agricultural lands, water quality, and responsible public access to natural resources.

10. Transportation

This section covers maintaining roads and bridges, developing sidewalks and bike paths, improving public transit, addressing traffic issues, enhancing the Park and Ride, and creating safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

11. Utilities & Facilities

This section focuses on Richmond's infrastructure and municipal services, including water and wastewater systems, stormwater management, public buildings, communication networks, and planning for future needs.

Timeline and Process

Spring-Summer 2025: Gather public input on current plan
Fall 2025: Draft revisions based on public feedback
Winter 2025-2026: Present draft for additional public comment
March 2026: Town Meeting vote on the final plan

About the Steering Committee

The Town Plan 2026 Steering Committee includes representatives from the Planning Commission, Selectboard, and community members with diverse interests and expertise. The committee is responsible for coordinating public engagement, reviewing feedback, and guiding the revision process.