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Hampden board approves zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments, removes drive-through language from restaurant definition
Summary
The planning board approved multiple code changes, including removing 'drive through' from the restaurant definition to make drive-throughs a conditional use and striking a sentence in Article 4.3.3.8 so alternate frontage lots apply townwide; the changes will go to council for final action Feb. 16.
The Hampden Planning Board approved proposed amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinances, including two notable edits: removing "drive through" from the definition of restaurant so drive-through restaurants will be reviewed as a conditional use, and striking the last sentence of Article 4.3.3.8 so alternative frontage-lot provisions would no longer be excluded from the rural district and would apply townwide.
The town planner explained the change to the restaurant definition arose from a pending application for a drive-through restaurant that otherwise would have avoided conditional-use review under the old definition. Board members discussed the equity rationale for making alternate frontage lots available in all zones (for example, large lots with limited road frontage), and a motion was made to approve the compiled amendments plus the single redline edit to 4.3.3.8.
With no public speakers present on these items, the board voted to approve the ordinance amendments and will forward the recommended changes to the town council; the planner said the council is scheduled to vote on the amendments on Feb. 16.
What happens next: If the council approves the amendments, the revised definitions and frontage rules will change the review process for future developments (drive-through proposals will trigger conditional-use hearings and alternate frontage calculations will be available townwide).
