Lincoln adopts Ordinance 2025-7 to change chapter 260-9J; council directs drafting of a special-use-permit replacement

On March 27 the Lincoln Town Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-7, an amendment to chapter 260-9J of the town's use regulations, and approved an amendment that the council will draft a replacement ordinance establishing a special-use-permit requirement for the activity governed by the ordinance and will repeal the newly adopted ordinance when that replacement is ready.

The ordinance-subcommittee recommended approval of Ordinance 2025-7. Councilor Jeremy Russo moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion received a second. During discussion councilors debated whether to include a sunset provision. The solicitor advised that the council should not place implementation caveats inside the ordinance text; instead, the council could adopt the ordinance and then adopt a separate motion that the administration draft a new special-use-permit ordinance and schedule repeal of the current ordinance once the new language is prepared.

Councilor Penn (identified in discussion as having proposed caveats) moved to amend the adoption to include the understanding that a new ordinance establishing a special-use-permit process for the particular use would be drafted and that the current ordinance would be repealed upon that drafting. The amendment was seconded and carried. The council then voted on the amended ordinance; a roll-call style confirmation of the amendment recorded "Yes" votes from Councilor Russo, Councilor Azoff, Councilor Noni, Councilor Pachet and the chair.

Several councilors noted the ordinance will apply townwide and observed that a special-use-permit approach would allow consideration of individual circumstances. The council accepted the subcommittee recommendation and the additional instruction to staff and the solicitor to prepare the replacement special-use-permit ordinance.