The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) withdrew its support for the three Regional Planning Commissions (RPC) combined letter on their supposedly mutually desired conditions for SP Land's Act 250 permit for Phase One of the Ski Village. In a stunning reversal the full commission rejected the Regional Issues Subcomittee's nearly unanimous (only Ken Lee, Killington's representative, voted against) recommendation to submit the revised letter to the Act 250 Commission. Impassioned pleas from Dave Rosenblum, Dick Horner and even Chris Bianchi to the full commission seemed to sway the commission into not only not submitting the revised letter but also withdrawing its support for the previous January 15 letter.
The main argument which held sway, and was introduced by our intrepid former Select Board member Jim Haff in the subcomittee, was why is the Rutland Regional Commission inviting stingent permit conditions on its turf in agreement with other RPC's while those same RPC's are not invitng RRPC to participate in setting conditions on their turf. For example while the South Windsor Regional Planning Commission is involved in submitting a 3 RPC letter to the Act 250 commission on SP Land's application the Rutland Commission was not invited to be involved in Okemo's permit process. In fact he Twin Rivers Commission sidestepped the Act 250 process and made a deal direct with Okemo.
It also helped that our town's leaders showed up en masse to show their support. It was even acknowledged by the RRPC that it made a difference they showed up and supported the project.
Going forward, the RRPC is going to draft its own letter to the Act 250 commission. This letter will be a combined effort between the commission Executive Director Kris Hughes and Steve Selbo, et al of SP Land.
Thank you for all those who attended the RRPC meetings in support of SP Land.
Vito
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