Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Board continues debate over downtown business (BB) zoning rewrite amid resident concerns
Summary
Staff presented a proposal to consolidate downtown and overlay zones into a single Downtown Business district, protect pre‑existing nonconforming lots, and add a one‑space‑per‑unit parking standard; supporters said it clarifies redevelopment rules while some residents objected to converting existing residential parcels to business zoning. Hearing continued to March 3.
The Planning Board reviewed proposed amendments to the downtown zoning code that would convert multiple current districts and an overlay into a single Downtown Business (BB) district and simplify rules for property owners.
Town planner Jenny Gingrich said the changes aim to reduce confusing split zonings and to make existing commercial and multifamily uses conforming without forcing changes. "For pre‑existing nonconforming lots, they won't require a special permit for reconstruction as long as it doesn't increase any pre‑existing nonconformity," Gingrich said. She also noted staff added a parking requirement of one space per dwelling unit for multifamily and mixed‑use residential projects after earlier public comment.
Public commenters provided mixed views. Amy Dwire, a property owner, said the change would allow long‑stalled redevelopment and make the bylaw easier for property owners and applicants. "Allowing for the zoning changes will increase flexibility by allowing more uses by right in the downtown, making the bylaw easier to understand and the application process less overwhelming," she said. By contrast, Lauren Smith of Church Street urged caution, saying roughly two dozen downtown residential parcels would become business‑zoned under the draft and that many residents value living downtown and were not seeking rezoning.
Jenny Gingrich clarified that existing single‑family residences would remain allowed in the proposed Downtown Business district and that the changes chiefly make existing commercial/multifamily uses conforming so property owners doing renovations would not be forced to seek variances. The board heard support from the Design Review Board chair and the Unitarian Universalist church, which said rezoning would ease a church property transaction.
The public hearing was continued to March 3 to allow further review before the March 21 town meeting; the board requested that staff verify the list and counts of parcels affected and continue outreach to concerned residents.
Next steps: Planning staff to confirm the parcel list and reach out to downtown residents; the Planning Board will revisit the amendment on March 3.
