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Ludlow planning commission advances Article 5 zoning edits, debates how to treat parcels spanning two districts
Summary
MARC staff and Ludlow planning commissioners reviewed proposed Article 5 bylaw changes, including moving certain items into Site Plan Review, deleting Section 510.3, and deciding how parcels that cross two zoning districts should be regulated; commissioners asked for public outreach and mapping work before finalizing text.
MARC planner Martha Harrison opened the Planning Commission’s discussion of Article 5 of the Ludlow Town Bylaws, proposing that certain items currently in Section 510.2 be incorporated into Site Plan Review and that Section 510.3 be deleted. She said the draft includes a list of regulated uses "such as schools and churches" and noted other reorganization items the board should consider.
A central topic was Section 520.6, which governs lots located in two zoning districts. Harrison described options including applying the rules of the district that contains the majority of land or using the district where a building is located; she told the board they would need to review specific properties. Chair Noah Schmidt and commissioner Matt Bellantoni said boundary‑based rules might simplify administration, while Planning staff cautioned that changing district boundaries would require rezoning and that acreage is typically determined by survey. Erin Ladd said MARC staff can "snap to a parcel line" to help with mapping, and Harrison recommended targeted public outreach before adopting a rule change.
Commissioners asked for clearer, property‑specific guidance. Commissioner Ed D'Ottavio urged staff to notify owners who might be affected; Richard Owen suggested exceptions for sensitive areas. The board agreed to prioritize public outreach and to revisit the mapping approach after MARC updates the municipal plan and land‑use maps.
