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Planning board wrestles with 'Mr. Cott' overlay: by‑right housing goals vs. controlling commercial uses
Summary
The Planning Board debated how the proposed Mr. Cott overlay (mixed‑use/multifamily zoning) should treat underlying commercial uses, special permits and split‑zone lots, weighing by‑right housing expansion against the need to limit noxious uses; staff will return with options and an inventory of affected lots.
The Falmouth Planning Board spent a large portion of the meeting debating proposed changes to the town—s overlay zoning (referred to in the transcript as the "Mr. Cott" or "Mr. Codd" bylaw), focusing on whether the overlay should simply allow the uses that are permitted in the underlying business districts, specify allowable nonresidential uses in detail, or permit special‑permit uses only through the planning board.
Town planning staff and counsel advised that listing allowed uses gives clarity to applicants but can be time‑consuming; allowing all underlying uses by right risks enabling certain uses many board members…
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