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Council amends and tables rate-of-growth ordinance changes after public input
Summary
At first reading, councilors and residents debated a proposed FY2027 rate-of-growth allocation; an amendment reduced the total permits from 244 to 217 and the chair deemed the change substantive, tabling the ordinance for a second reading and final vote in August.
The council held a public hearing and first reading on a proposed amendment to the town’s rate-of-growth ordinance for fiscal year 2027 and, after public testimony and council debate, amended and tabled the measure for a future vote.
Staff recommended a "bridge" allocation of 244 total growth permits for 2027, reflecting changes in state law. Dan Bacon, representing Crossroads Holdings (the Downs), urged the council to consider additional permits to accommodate projects in the pipeline, noting the development timing challenges created by a one-year allotment. Other members of the public urged limiting the total.
Councilor Larry introduced an amendment to reduce the total number of permits to 217 and to reallocate permits across the town’s defined areas. "I'm proposing to amend the total number from 244 to 217," he said, framing it as a compromise that would lower overall growth while providing some additional flexibility for Area 3 projects.
After debate about affordable-unit accounting and the Downs’ inclusionary zoning obligations, the chair determined the proposed amendment to be substantive and treated the item as a continuation of first reading. The council voted to table the ordinance as amended and scheduled a second reading for the August meeting to allow more public engagement and staff follow-up.
What’s next: the council will consider the revised allocation at its second reading on August 19; staff and applicants may provide additional materials and economic or affordable-housing clarifications ahead of the vote.
