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Politics & Government

Planning Board Advances Land Use Ordinances

Board votes to refer ordinances back to Council.

Jennifer Sinclair, Neighbor
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The Planning Board voted unanimously Monday evening to approve the proposed changes to the town's land use laws.

The Town Council last week referred the ten ordinances to the board as a part of the ordinance adoption process. State law requires the Planning Board to review any proposed ordinances changing the land use law. Board approval was expected, as a majority of the board served on the land use task force which drafted the changes that make up the heart of the ordinance.
 

The Planning Board review lasted just over 20 minutes and consisted of little discussion amongst board members regarding the proposed legislation. No public comment occurred on any of the ordinances. Democratic mayoral nominee Bill Brennan has been proposing more public comment sessions on the land use ordinances and Republicans, led by Councilman Jim Foerst, who helped write the laws, said the public would have plenty of opportunities to comment including the board meeting.

The changes include limiting the height of new construction in the town, setting new size limitations for new construction, virtually eliminating full third floors on new construction, regulating more windows for long walls, among other changes. During last week's Council meeting, Foerst promoted how the laws will simplify the land use process for residents including creating a new calculation for floor area ratio—the amount of space to be included on new construction or add-ons. Foerst said the residents will be able to calculate the FAR using a tape measure and a simple algebraic formula.

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The Council is expected to consider the proposed legislation at meetings in September with final approval anticipated at the end of September. The ordinances are scheduled to take affect on Dec. 1.
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