Dear Editor,Sec. Lindsay Kurrle claims in her VTDigger commentary “How appeals drive up housing costs” that housing construction is oftentimes “derailed, delayed or diminished by a small number of folks abusing the appeals process.” Her policy proposals undermine the purpose of the Vermont j udiciary and attack the rights of Vermonters to question if a proposed land development project follows the law.Speaking from my experience, it’s clear that Sec. Kurrle has not listened to everyday Vermonters who have been involved in the land use and permitting process. Her one-sided commentary echoes talking points from land developers with money and lobbying power. She makes broad generalizations about a complex topic based on her opinion of one housing project in Putney.READ MORE It’s highly doubtful that the courts choose to waste time on “frivolous appeals” as Sec. Kurrle claims. It’s rare for appeals to go all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court, as was the case with the example cited by Sec. Kurrle. This generally happens when there is an important question of law that only that Court can answer.If we could encourage the resolution of disagreements at the local level, many of these cases could be kept out of the courts in the first place. Local boards can completely ignore concerns brought forward by the community, and can even limit the ability of the public to speak. This leaves those with lingering concerns little choice but to appeal, costing both appellants and developers time, effort and money.Bradley HoltRichmondRead the story on VTDigger here: Bradley Holt: A response to Sec. Lindsay Kurrle on housing costs. ...read more read less