The Development Review Board (DRB) is Milton’s appointed quasi-judicial board responsible for conducting public hearings and issuing decisions on certain land development applications under Milton’s Unified Development Regulations (UDR) and Vermont law.

The DRB serves as Milton’s “appropriate municipal panel” pursuant to 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117 and is responsible for reviewing applications requiring board-level approval under the UDR, including subdivisions, site plans, conditional uses, variances, appeals, and other applicable development review applications. The Board is composed of resident volunteers appointed by the Selectboard in accordance with the Town Charter.

The DRB meetings are open to the public, and are video- and audio-recorded. You can view videos on LCATV’s website. The agendas, minutes and meeting materials of the DRB can be viewed on the Town’s website.

Role of the Development Review Board

The DRB reviews certain development applications to determine compliance with Milton’s Unified Development Regulations and applicable Vermont statutes. Depending on the application type, review may include consideration of:

• Zoning compliance
• Site layout and development standards
• Traffic and access
• Stormwater and infrastructure coordination
• Neighborhood compatibility
• Environmental constraints
• Public safety considerations
• Applicable performance standards and conditions

The DRB serves as the formal decision-making body for applications requiring public hearing review and board approval.

Planning & Zoning staff support the DRB through application intake, staff review, procedural guidance, hearing coordination, public noticing, and meeting preparation. However, staff do not issue DRB decisions.

Public Hearings & Participation

The DRB is a quasi-judicial body that operates similarly to a court of law. The Board conducts fair and impartial public hearings by applying Milton’s Unified Development Regulations and applicable Vermont law to the information presented during the hearing process.

Unlike general public meetings held by some Town boards and commissions, DRB hearings follow formal procedures intended to ensure fairness, consistency, and due process for applicants, interested persons, and the public record. Because the DRB acts in a quasi-judicial capacity, participation during hearings is governed by Vermont statute and hearing procedures rather than general public comment practices.

The DRB conducts warned public hearings in accordance with Vermont law and Milton’s Unified Development Regulations. Under Vermont law, only individuals or entities qualifying as an “interested person” pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4465(b) may formally participate in a DRB hearing. 

Interested persons may include:

• Applicants
• Adjoining property owners
• Individuals owning or occupying nearby property who may demonstrate a physical or environmental impact under the applicable review criteria
• Municipalities and certain other parties identified by statute
• Groups of 20 or more voters, residents, or property owners meeting statutory requirements

During public hearings:

• Applicants present and testify regarding their proposal
• Interested persons may provide testimony or evidence relevant to the application
• Testimony is provided under oath or affirmation
• The DRB reviews testimony, evidence, and applicable regulations before issuing a decision

Based on the information presented during the hearing process, the DRB:

• Reviews testimony and evidence to establish findings of fact
• Interprets and applies applicable regulations
• Issues written decisions and conditions when applicable
• Hears appeals of Zoning Administrator decisions

Community members are encouraged to:

• Attend DRB hearings
• Review meeting materials and applications
• Submit comments or questions to Planning & Zoning staff prior to hearings or share their concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting