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PZC adds 'Complaint Details' section to zoning complaint form to discourage retaliatory filings
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to an administrative change adding a 'Complaint Details' section to the zoning complaint form to require complainants to specify the nature of harm alleged and help staff screen retaliatory filings.
Chairman J. Riendeau described recurring situations where neighbor disputes used the zoning complaint process as a retaliatory tool. He said he, Town Planner John Guszkowski, and Zoning Enforcement Officer Savannah Kitchin worked on an administrative update to the complaint form to help staff evaluate the nature and severity of complaints.
The revised form will include a new "Complaint Details" section that asks complainants to identify the nature of alleged harm (health/safety hazard, noise, encroachment, imminent harm, or other). Riendeau said the Commission cannot refuse complaints but hopes the additional information will help staff assess severity and intent. The Commission agreed to adopt the administrative change as part of the standard complaint process.
