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Select Board to hold Oct. 28 hearing on major zoning bylaw rewrite amid grant deadline
Summary
Planning commission presented a substantial rewrite of the town zoning bylaw; the Select Board scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 28 to meet grant timing and discussed notice periods, the distinction between minor editorial and substantive changes under state law, and a potential loss of match if adoption slips past Dec. 31.
The Select Board discussed a comprehensive zoning bylaw rewrite brought forward by the planning commission and tentatively scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the town office to comply with grant timing and to allow for public comment.
Planning commission representatives told the board the rewrite stemmed from the town plan update and involved major reorganization of chapters including conditional‑use and subdivision sections; they provided a comment matrix showing each public comment, the planning commission response and whether changes were made. One planning commissioner said, "the select board needs to hold at least 1 public hearing," and noted the board must act by Dec. 31 to preserve grant match under the Two Rivers grant agreement. Board members discussed statutory notice requirements under Title 24 and the difference between "minor" editorial changes and "substantial" changes in concept, meaning or extent — which, if made, would require a new hearing.
The board agreed to tentatively warn a hearing for Oct. 28 at 6 p.m., to request the planning commission provide a redline and the comment matrix for public posting, and to schedule follow‑up special meetings as needed to deliberate after the hearing. Members emphasized they expect a deliberative process and do not anticipate a simple rubber‑stamp approval; instead they plan to use the matrix to expedite responses to recurring public concerns. The process is time‑sensitive because of grant match and state review timelines.
