Also scheduled for the April meeting is the tabulation and analysis of the townwide survey on a possible commercial district. The survey asks whether a commercial district should be created, where it might best be located, and whether, if no commercial district is wanted, there should be defined limits on commercial and industrial development in the rural residential zone. Citizens who have not yet returned their surveys still have time to advise the board of their opinions.
How to go about scheduling work on the new plan took up much of the meeting. Norman Fajans observed that some sections of the plan should wait for updated census data or for remapping of the town, while some can be dealt with immediately. Sorting out which is which, said Fajans, would make scheduling more efficient.
Board members unanimously agreed to apply to the Windham County Regional Commission for planning grants. Secretary and WCRC representative Phyllis Evanuk agreed, but reminded the commissioners that planning funds have not been released this year, although some towns have had their applications approved.
Brian McNeice said that keeping records of what gets done at each meeting is vital. Acting chair Howard Alboum began that effort last month, with a written summary of all changes suggested so far. All members agreed that the board should develop a calendar to plot their work for the coming year.
Board members also began discussing the fact that changes in the plan may create a need for changes in the town’s zoning. The tasks are separate, but linked. Potential zoning consequences are one factor the commissioners must consider when writing a new plan. Possible commercial zoning is an obvious area, but Fajans pointed out that current regulations give no real guidance on subdivisions.
Fajans suggested that when the board is ready to consider zoning it should ask zoning administrator Rick Gay to come and discuss what works well and what does not from the point of view of day-to-day enforcement of the regulations.
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