A build-out analysis is a projection of the maximum allowable future development of an area. The resulting mapped and numeric data can be used to assess how well current regulations are implementing plan policies. Build-out analysis results are also useful for comparing alternative development scenarios based on proposed changes to existing land use regulations.

Three of the Regional Planning Commission's participating in this study prepared build-outs using the Community Build-Out Software, an extension for ESRI’s ArcView 3.2, developed by the Addison County Regional Planning Commission and C.L. Davis Consulting Associates, which is available as a free download.

To assess future development potential, several basic pieces of information are needed:

• The location of existing development (this information is available to all Vermont municipalities from E-911 data);
• Zoning district boundaries and the intensity of development allowed in each district; and
• The current configuration of parcels (it may be possible to conduct a build-out analysis without parcel maps, although the results will be less precise).

Based on these three GIS layers, the build-out software determines which zoning district(s) each parcel is located in and calculates the acreage per parcel (or part of a parcel) per district. The maximum development potential based on minimum lot size is calculated. Any existing development is subtracted from that result to yield the maximum number of additional units that could be developed under current regulation.

More sophisticated models can be constructed using the Community Build-Out software and other modeling tools. Explore the links below for more information.

• Route 7 corridor build-out analysis from Ferrisburgh to New Haven. (9.0 mb)

• Bristol-Monkton road corridor build-out analysis. (9.0 mb)