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Committee discusses ordinance revisions, comp-plan alignment and homeowner relief for bluff erosion
Summary
Members reviewed ordinance and comp-plan connections, endorsed compiling implementation actions, and discussed potential zoning relief pathways for at-risk long-standing homes on eroding bluffs. No ordinance changes were voted; committee prioritized drafting recommendations to feed the comprehensive plan update and future town actions.
Committee members described ongoing work to identify ordinance changes and comp-plan updates that would integrate sea level rise, storm surge and erosion considerations into land-use approvals.
Why it matters: Members said embedding resilience language into the comprehensive plan and ordinances is essential for eligibility for many grants and to create standards for new construction and relief options for existing structures.
Discussion highlights
- Ordinance priorities: The ordinance working group identified categories including updated overlay maps for flood-prone areas; land-use and application-process revisions that would integrate sea level rise considerations; standards for siting and design; and options to provide relief for existing structures.
- Relief for homeowners on bluffs: Committee members and several attendees discussed mechanisms used elsewhere (Nantucket cited as an example) to allow relief for homeowners seeking to move structures or obtain variances when facing bluff erosion. Members said specific ordinance language and processes have not yet been drafted; the committee agreed to pursue more concrete recommendations.
- Implementation table and grant readiness: Town planner Allison said the town maintains an implementation table (an appendix in the comprehensive plan) and noted FEMA approval of the hazard mitigation plan. Members urged sorting action items into implemented/partially implemented/not implemented to improve grant competitiveness.
Decisions and next steps
No formal ordinance changes were made at the meeting. The committee agreed to nominate one or two members to serve on the comprehensive plan update team and to continue drafting ordinance language and examples of homeowner relief mechanisms for future recommendation to the town council or ordinance committee.
Ending
Committee members said they will return draft ordinance objectives and any proposed relief language for review at a future meeting and coordinate with the town’s comp-plan update.
