This week, a bill that would make changes to Vermont’s Act 181 is receiving testimony in the House Committee on Environment.

Certain provisions in Act 181 could trigger a permitting process through Vermont’s land use protection law, Act 250.

A rule related to road building and some lands identified as “critical natural resource areas” by the state’s land use review board are expected to take effect this year.

Last month, legislation passed the Senate and is currently in the House to push those deadlines back by a few years. For Corinth resident Neil Ryan, that not enough.

“The group of people that was largely left out of the process: Rural Vermonters are having this imposed upon them with no say,” he said.

Ryan and his family have built their own farms for generations. He believes if the provisions take effect, it would be very difficult for future generations to accomplish what he has.

“The difficulty of the Act 250 process, the costs associated with the Act 250 process, we wouldn’t have started those farms likely,” he said.

However, Ryan said he does support the portion of Act 181 that allows towns to opt into being exempt from the permitting process altogether. This is meant to assist housing development.

On Tuesday, regional planning commissions told lawmakers that many towns have opted in. Still, Vermont is not on track for its goal of 40,000 + homes by 2030.

“We’re not saying rural housing growth should stop or slow,” Executive Director of the Northwest RPC Catherine Dimitruk said. “Were saying those additional units that we need, we should be doing all we can to encourage and incentivize.”

The bill will remain in House environment for the foreseeable future.

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Perfectly Seasoned

Sunday 12

You know TV personality Alton Brown as the quirky host of hit reality cooking shows such as “Iron Chef America” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” Now the culinary commentator and author takes the stage solo at Rutland’s Paramount Theatre for a no-frills show of his talents, trading the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for a more intimate showcase of food science, humor and heart.

Girl Almighty

Friday 10

Queer author and educator Diana Whitney launches her patriarchy-smashing poetry collection, Girl Trouble, in conversation with fellow writer Eve Alexandra at Next Stage Arts in Putney. Listeners hear unflinching takes on growing up female, adolescent trauma, rape culture and modern movements of resilience before roaring onto the dance floor to channel the grit and grace of feminism.

Fun Facts

Thursday 9

Local News Day Credit: © Undrey | Dreamstime

It’s no surprise that we stan Local News Day (see page 13). Journalism leaders and advocates fill Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library for a fact-forward fête celebrating the value of civic transparency and trusted community information. A documentary screening and a panel discussion explore media ecosystems and spur dialogue about how to sustain an essential public resource.

Role Models

Saturday 11

CAN-AM Con Credit: © Nanantachoke | Dreamstime

Scale model makers and Lego lovers connect at CAN-AM Con at Williston’s National Guard Armory, where seminars and vendors complement a display contest honoring late Japanese producer Shunsaku Tamiya. Junior builders and veterans show off their finest constructions from any Tamiya kit for consideration in categories such as Best of Class and People’s Choice.

Saturday 11

Disco Inferno

Gala ’54: After Hours Credit: © Anton Vierietin | Dreamstime

The Current — Stowe’s center for contemporary art — invites philanthropic partygoers to the Lodge at Spruce Peak for Gala ’54: After Hours. The annual fundraiser boasts silent and live auctions, a cocktail reception, and chef-crafted food stations, all inspired by New York City’s glamorous Studio 54 era. Then revelers hit the dance floor to boogie oogie oogie in their flashiest disco dress.

See gallery listing at sevendaysvt.com/art

Piste de Résistance

Saturday 11 & Sunday 12

Gather Outdoors Credit: Courtesy

Music and winter culture festival Gather Outdoors takes Stratton Mountain Resort by storm with a superlative lineup of jam bands and electronic artists, including Philadelphia legends the Disco Biscuits and rising star Karina Rykman. The high-energy mountainside affair fuses plein air recreation with an immersive club atmosphere for an unforgettable end to the ski season.

Reading the Room

Tuesday 14

Bianca Stone Credit: Courtesy

Vermont poet laureate Bianca Stone continues her “State of Poetry” tour with a stop at Phoenix Books in Burlington. Stone leads an analytical deep dive into the craft of late Nobel Prize-winning writer — and the nation’s 12th poet laureate — Louise Glück, underscoring the vital cultural impact of her contributions to American literature.