Date: Fri 27-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-zone-changes

Full Text:

P&Z To Propose Some Regulation Changes

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Taking a cue from continuing public comments that the town's land use

regulations should be made more strict, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)

members plan to develop on some specific proposals for change when they hold a

discussion session soon.

P&Z Chairman John DeFilippe told P&Z members December 19 he has prepared some

proposed rule changes from which members can start work.

"We need to get back to what we need to do...Basically, we've been foundering

a little bit," he said.

Mr DeFilippe said the new rules will be intended to foster responsible

development through a better use of the land. Also, creating lower potential

housing densities is desirable, he said.

P&Z member Heidi Winslow, however, questioned whether the P&Z should change

its rules to create lower potential housing densities.

Mr DeFilippe said he wants to create new regulations to better control the

removal of earth materials from development sites and also create better

regulations concerning driveway construction.

The removal of large amounts of earth materials from development sites in

connection with home building projects and commercial ventures has been a

controversial topic in recent months.

"Upzoning" would make for a more responsible use of the land, Mr DeFilippe

added.

New regulations concerning open space areas in residential subdivisions also

are needed, he said.

Mr DeFilippe also suggested that the P&Z create regulations on cluster housing

development. In cluster housing, individual houses are clustered on a piece of

land to allow larger than normal open space areas on the site.

P&Z members agreed to conduct a special meeting January 8 at which they will

tackle revised rules in at least three general areas: the removal of fill

materials from construction sites; upzoning; and open space donations. Members

agreed that although the meeting will be open to the public, it will not be a

public hearing at which public comments are sought. The meeting is slated for

7:30 pm at Town Hall South.

After P&Z members formulate the wording of the new regulations, those

proposals will be advertised in the form of legal notices for public hearings.

At those public hearings, public comments will be sought.

In recent months, the Newtown Neighborhoods Coalition has urged P&Z members to

alter local land use rules to make it more difficult to build new houses.

In early December, coalition members proposed a host of changes intended to

reduce the potential construction densities of residential areas. These

proposals have included: "upzoning," or increasing minimum building lot sizes

in various residential zones; requiring developers to provide the town with at

least 10 percent of quality land for open space use in subdivisions; making it

difficult to develop residential rear lots; and greatly reducing the number of

homes that can be built on dead-end streets.

Some residents say the proposals make good sense and should be enacted swiftly

to put a lid on continuing residential development.

But developers who attended a December 5 public hearing on those proposed rule

changes told P&Z members that no matter what changes are made, they will find

ways to maintain current construction densities.

The Newtown Neighborhoods Coalition is an umbrella group consisting of several

neighborhood associations and others who have expressed concern over the rapid

pace of residential growth. Coalition members have expressed fears that

increased residential development and higher housing densities will adversely

affect the town's character.