Planning Board reviews proposed definitions for zoningprohibited uses, punts final decisions to April

The New Shoreham Planning Board reviewed proposed definitions for terms listed as “general prohibitions” in the town zoning ordinance on Wednesday, March 12, asking staff to refine language on several items and to return the revisions at its April meeting.

Board members said the review is intended to give the town clearer language for enforcing Section 111 of the zoning code and to remove inconsistent or missing definitions that have complicated enforcement and permitting.

Planning staff member Karen (last name not specified) told the board many of the proposed entries are taken from existing town code or common planning dictionaries and that the board could keep, amend or reject the suggested wording. Peter Breedbridge, introduced at the meeting as the new town planner, attended and listened while staff walked the board through the draft definitions.

The board asked staff to make several specific changes or clarifications and to seek outside input where appropriate. On motor vehicles, staff advised keeping the existing definition already in town code section 121 rather than inventing a different list; the board accepted that recommendation. On mopeds and electric scooters, members said they wanted the existing separate moped section checked but did not order any immediate change.

Gambling drew sustained discussion. Residents and board members said the draft wording should not unintentionally block common, state-permitted fundraisers such as bingo or raffles. Molly O'Neil, a Pilot Hill Road resident, told the board that many fundraising events are licensed through the state police and recommended clarifying the draft. Planning staff agreed to rework the gambling definition to keep a clear prohibition on commercial casinos while carving out exemptions for properly state-licensed fundraising and activities whose operation is preempted by state law.

The board discussed the drafting of definitions for floating residences and floating businesses and asked staff to send the proposed language to the harbor master for review before adoption. They also reviewed proposed definitions for field houses (a use currently listed as prohibited), emphasizing that definitions are needed to make enforcement consistent even if the use remains prohibited: as staff explained, a use must be defined in the ordinance whether it is allowed or not.

Trailers and shipping containers prompted repeated questions about boat trailers and residential storage. Board members said the town should clarify that trailers used for private, residential storage of a single boat are not the same as commercial storage or rental operations; staff was asked to draft language that would permit personal boat trailers while addressing commercial storage and to consider requiring registration or proof of active use to reduce long-term abandoned equipment.

Other items flagged for revision or future review included the underground storage definition (staff will clarify the phrasing about “10% of volume”), adding propane to references to underground petroleum storage, a proposed definition for drive-through windows, and whether to change “rifle range” to “shooting range” and expressly exempt law enforcement or military training. No final ordinance amendments were approved at the meeting; staff will return redrafted language and any inter-agency comments in April.

The board emphasized the purpose of the draft review: to supply precise definitions so zoning enforcement and property owners have consistent standards when questions or complaints arise.