Planning board committee recommends change to setback rules to planning board

The Alton Town planning board committee voted to recommend proposed planning board Amendment No. 1, which moves existing special-exception language into the setback section, to the planning board for formal review and a public hearing.

The proposal would relocate language already found in Section 4.44 (special exceptions in the residential commercial zone) into Section 3.27 (setbacks). Jesse McArthur, town planner, summarized the change: “Tonight, you guys could recommend this 1 to the planning board if you feel like the wording and the language and the rationale is, where you like it.” The committee moved and seconded the recommendation and then voted. Chair Tom Diveny called the question; members answered “Aye,” and the motion passed.

By placing the existing special-exception provisions directly in the setback section, the amendment does not create new standards so much as relocate language for clarity. Committee members noted the relocated text has existed in the ordinance since 2015; McArthur said the provision dated from 03/10/2015 and “it’s been there forever.”

The committee’s recommendation forwards the language to the planning board; the planning board will decide whether to set a public hearing and place the amendment on a warrant for voters.

Members said the change was intended to clarify where the special-exception rules appear in the ordinance rather than to alter substantive standards. Staff will include the committee’s rationale in materials for the planning board.