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Committee defers revised driveway-easement ordinance to let residents review proposed easement
Summary
The Lincoln ordinance committee deferred Ordinance 2025-13 after members asked that a finalized easement template and notice be presented to affected residents; the draft moves driveway and parking rules from zoning into chapter 180 of the town code and establishes permits, easement terms and municipal-court enforcement.
The Lincoln ordinance committee deferred action on Ordinance 2025-13 after members said residents who use adjacent town-owned property should see the finalized easement template before the committee votes.
Presenter (S5) said the latest draft moves the rule out of the zoning ordinance and into chapter 180, article 3 of the town code, which covers regulations for privately and publicly owned parking lots. "This latest iteration is not for the zoning ordinance," S5 said. "Rather, I think it's more appropriate to go in chapter 180 of the town code, article 3." The presenter described four parts: a ban on storing junked vehicles or debris on town-owned property; a permit requirement for adjacent owners who want to park or store on town land; a driveway-easement provision that would require permission and place maintenance and liability responsibility on the easement holder; and enforcement through municipal court under section 1-13 of the code.
Committee members sought clarification about residents who have been using town property for years. "You can't adversely possess against the towns," S5 said, explaining that long-term use does not create a right and that users must apply for a permit and easement and assume maintenance and liability. Members asked who would approve permits; S5 said the ordinance could default to the town council but the DPW director, town administrator or town clerk could be authorized to issue permits.
Committee member (S3) asked that the committee present the easement language to residents on Union and Manchester before voting. "I'd like to hold it for one more meeting," S3 said, citing the need to show residents and explain the changes in advance. S3 moved to defer the ordinance so the presenter could finalize materials and brief affected residents; the motion was seconded and the committee voted in favor.
The committee directed staff to incorporate a no-loitering subsection (referencing chapter 167) for town-owned property and to prepare a finalized easement template and notification plan. Presenter (S5) agreed to make the changes and said he would get the revised material to S3 for resident outreach before the next scheduled meeting.
