FY10 Municipal Planning Grant

Overview

For fiscal year 2010, the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development (DEHCD, formerly DHCA), will grant approximately $400,000 to municipalities to promote community planning, revitalization and development activities that maintain Vermont’s land use goal of compact settlements separated by rural lands.

The Municipal Planning Grant Program funds a wide range of municipal planning projects as allowed by 24 V.S.A. Section 4306 (b). This year, due to reduced funding, priority will be given to: bylaw updates that bring them into conformance with the municipal plan (a 2011 statutory requirement); municipal plans and updates that are addressing a demonstrated need; and application for growth center and Vermont neighborhood designations.

Grant funds are regionally apportioned, based on the percentage of municipalities with confirmed planning processes within each of the 11 Regional Planning Commission (RPC) regions. Eligible municipalities compete within their region for grant funding. Funding decisions are made by the DEHCD Commissioner, based on the competitive criteria listed under Grant Selection Process below.

Grant-Related Dates

• RPC Confirmation of Municipal Planning Process: by September 30, 2009.
• Application Deadline: September 30, 2009.
• Award Decisions: End of November 2009.
• Mid-project Report Due: September 21, 2010.
• Project Completion and All Funds Spent: May 9, 2011.
• Final Report and Products Submitted: postmarked by June 14, 2011.

MPG projects must be completed within 18 months. No time extensions are granted.

Who Can Apply?

Municipalities with a local planning process that has been confirmed by September 30, 2009 are eligible to apply for grants of up to $15,000. Municipal confirmation includes formal plan approval by the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) as required by 24 V.S.A. Section 4350. Municipalities without a confirmed local planning process may apply but only to create a municipal plan intended for regional confirmation. Municipal organizations other than the planning commission (such ast the conservation commission or the downtown revitalization organization) may apply for a grant, but only with prior approval of the planning commission and selectboard. Each municipality may submit only one application per year. Consortia are also eligible to apply for up to $25,000, with a confirmed planning process for every town.

Funding Available

Municipalities may apply for between $1,500 and $15,000; consortia may apply for up to $25,000.

Eligible Activities

The Municipal Planning Grant Program supports a range of project relating to planning and land use and promotes cooperation, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Eligible projects must have a clear connection to planning and implementation of the municipal plan.

Funds may be used (but are not limited) to:

• Underwrite expenses for public meetings and hearings, information workshops, citizen surveys, outreach and notification costs;
• Support research, data collection, capacity studies, inventories and mapping;
• Pay planning and zoning staff for work on grant project if beyond their normal duties;
• Pay consultants, administrative staff, interns, regional planning commission staff, or legal fees associated with the project;
• Purchase development rights, easements, and titles of properties for housing and conservation purposed identified in the municipal plan; and
• Purchase materials needed to produce a plan, bylaw, or implement or administer the project, like writing supplies, maps and copies.

Funds may not be used to:

• Support political activities;
• Pay Regional Planning Commission dues;
• Reimburse expenses made before the grant is awarded;
• Subsidize tax mapping;
• Pay planning commission members or staff for performance of their normal duties;
• Capitalize a “reserve” fund for use beyond the grant period; or
• Purchase computer hardware or other equipment.

Grant Selection Process

DEHCD uses competitive criteria and statewide priorities to score and rank applications. The statewide priorities are updated annually to comply with policy initiatives or legislation. Grants are awarded based on the application scores and the amount of grant funds available within the respective regions. Competitive criteria are listed briefly below; see the project description for more detailed explanation.

Applications are scored using the following statewide priorities and criteria:

1. Application quality - up to 15 points
2. Realistic work plan and budget - up to 20 points
3. Clear linkage of proposed project to the municipal plan/Demonstrated need for municipal plan update - up to 20 points
4. Citizen participation/Partnerships and outreach - up to 15 points
5. Statewide priorities - up to 30 points.

Bonus points: Projects within and related to a designated downtown, village center, or new town center are eligible for bonus points.

For more information or to apply:

Vermont Department of Housing & Community Affairs Online Application