Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is responsible for setting out land use and development policies for the Town, as adopted by the Selectboard. Vermont statute lays out broad policies; these are tailored locally in each community. The Town Plan is the land use policy document for the Town and is implemented through and constructed by the Planning Commission.

Members & Terms

  • Beth Cook — March 2027
  • Bob Cook — March 2029
  • Emma Hanson, Chair — March 2030
  • AnnMarie Harmon, Vice-Chair — March 2028
  • Becca Newhall - March 2030
  • Jonathan Ursprung — March 2030

  • Vacant

Meetings

The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 PM at the Waitsfield Town Office. Members are urged to let staff know as early as possible if they will be unable to attend a scheduled meeting so arrangements can be made to ensure a quorum.

Current Projects

Irasville Village Master Planning Project

The Waitsfield Planning Commission, with assistance from the Village Master Planning Steering Committee (VMPSC), is developing a comprehensive Village Master Plan for Waitsfield, Vermont. The plan will focus particularly on the Irasville Village area.

To learn more, visit the link below.

Learn More

Proposed Amendment to 2023 Town Plan

The Waitsfield Planning Commission completed a comprehensive update to its Town Plan in 2023. Although approved by the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission at that time, the Board of Commissioners found that the Plan had not adequately addressed the Town’s attainment of State Planning Goal 13, relating to childcare. 

In order to retain another four years of the Plan's eligibility, the Waitsfield Planning Commission has updated the Childcare section of Chapter 7 ("Facilities and Services") to reflect the Town’s progress toward meeting State Planning Goal 13: “To ensure the availability of safe and affordable childcare and to integrate childcare issues into the planning process, including childcare financing, infrastructure, business assistance for childcare providers, and childcare work force development."

The Planning Commission public hearing for the Town Plan Amendment will take place on Tuesday July 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Waitsfield Town office and via Zoom.

Planning Commission Reporting Form

July 7, 2026 Public Hearing Notice

Upcoming Meetings

Recent Meetings

June 2, 2026

  1. Planning Commission 6/2/2026

    7 PM – Open End

May 19, 2026

  1. Planning Commission 5/19/2026

    7 PM – Open End

May 5, 2026

  1. Planning Commission 5/5/2026

    7 PM – Open End

April 7, 2026

  1. Planning Commission 4/7/2026

    7 PM – Open End

April 2, 2024

  1. Planning Commission 4/2/24

    7 PM – Open End

    Topic: Planning Commission

March 19, 2024

  1. Planning Commission 3/19/24

    7 PM – Open End

    Topic: Planning Commission

March 5, 2024

  1. Planning Commission 3/5/24

    7 PM – Open End

    Topic: Planning Commission

February 20, 2024

  1. Planning Commission 2/20/24

    7 PM – Open End

    Topic: Planning Commission

February 6, 2024

  1. Planning Commission 2/6/24

    7 PM – Open End

    Topic: Planning Commission

Duties

The Planning Commission’s powers and duties are detailed in Vermont Statute 24 V.S.A. § 4325.

History

The Waitsfield Planning Commission transitioned from a 9-member board to a 7-member board in 2006 to coincide with the formation of a Development Review Board (DRB). The DRB has taken on the development review duties that were carried out by the 9-member Planning Commission, which will allow the Planning Commission to focus solely on its long-range planning, legislative, and other duties.