MINUTES
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULATORY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Wednesday, March 1, 2006, Conference Room B, Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building
Members present: B. Gardner (Chairman), R. Favretti, V. Stearns
Others present: G. Padick (Director of Planning), C. Hirsch (Zoning Agent)
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gardner at 1:10 p.m.
1. Consideration of potential revisions to the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations
Padick reviewed with committee members a potential schedule for bringing high-priority potential revisions to a Public Hearing in May so that potential changes could be considered before the end of the current June 1st subdivision moratorium. This schedule would necessitate a Public Hearing in early May and the sending out of referrals at least 35 days before the Public Hearing. Working backwards from the May 1st regularly-scheduled PZC meeting, referrals would need to be sent out by March 24th. This schedule would require a PZC action at the March 20th meeting to bring specific priority revisions to Hearing. Based on this schedule and the time needed for staff to draft up the potential revisions, it was agreed that the priority revisions would need to be limited in number and complexity.
Members then briefly reviewed with Hirsch and Padick numerous potential revisions that have been identified by the PZC and staff since the last round of PZC-originated revisions. The listing includes potential political sign revisions, which have been referred to the RRC by the PZC, a number of potential revisions identified by Zoning Agent Hirsch and a number of potential revisions recommended in the recently-approved Plan of Conservation & Development. The remainder of the meeting was spent reviewing in summary fashion the large listing of potential revisions that have been identified to date and identifying a few priority revisions that may be able to be acted upon by June 1st.
Hirsch reviewed with the committee members over 20 potential revisions that he has identified to clarify or strengthen existing provisions or address related or new issues that he has encountered. The listing includes potential revisions regarding mobile homes and trailers, zoning permit and certificate of compliance requirements, agricultural uses, signage issues, cat and dog shelters, efficiency units, home occupations, unregistered vehicles, non-conforming lots, height measurements, setbacks for accessory improvements, and parking requirements. Padick reviewed with members potential zoning map and regulations revisions that have been identified in the new Plan of Conservation & Development. Many of the potential revisions would involve comprehensive changes to numerous sections of the Regulations. It was agreed that the potential revisions identified by the PZC and staff should be typed up to facilitate review and establishment of priorities. The committee members noted that they would need to be active for some time and that future decisions would need to be made regarding the best way to proceed with such a large listing of potential changes.
Focus turned to the identification of a few high-priority revisions that could be implemented prior to June 1st. After discussion, it was agreed that Padick should focus on the revisions listed below and that this listing should be discussed with the full PZC at the March 6th regular PZC meeting.
· Rezone all R-40 and RAR-40 and RAR-40/MF zones to RAR-90
· Incorporate into Zoning and Subdivision Regulations provisions to allow/require 1-acre lots in the RAR-90 zone
· Revise the minimum size of a Development Area Envelope for new lots from 30,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft.
· Review and revise non-conformity regulations to address the changes noted above.
· Review and revise open space dedication requirements in subdivisions to address the changes noted above.
· Review and revise yield plan provisions to address the changes noted above
2. Future Meetings – Members present agreed to meet again on Wednesday, March 15th at 1 p.m.
3. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rudy Favretti, Acting Secretary