In
the Zone: Council to Finalize zone changes
By
Elizabeth Prata
Gray--The Gray Town Council decided to hold off on
presenting the proposed new zone changes until the
required mapping and text can be presented with it
at First Reading. The First Reading of the new zone
changes will be at the June 7 Council meeting, with
the required Second Reading not occurring until a
newly elected Council schedules it following elections
on June 14.
The Council has been deliberating for almost two years
on changes to zone south of Gray Village on Rt. 100
and deliberating for about a year on other changes
to zones town wide. The Council had wanted to update
the uses allowed and permitted inside some zones,
enlarge or shrink other zones, and to rename still
others to better reflect today's business market.
At Monday's workshop, the Council heard further comment
on the zoning from citizens. Phil Pulsifer asked why
the zoning map provided by the Gray Water District
outlining the Wellhead protections zone and the map
provided by the Planner were different. He was told
that one map represents what is current and the other
represents what is proposed.
Mary Miller asked if the Council is going to review
the developer's request for a zone change atop Weeks
Hill that would allow cluster housing. Councilor Matt
Sturgis answered that it was time, now that the bulk
of the general zoning review is done, to look at individual
requests for zone changes. A large development is
proposed for the area just east of Gray Village but
to complete both proposed phases, a zone change would
have to occur. "We need action at the Council
level, up or down, yes or no," he said. The request
by the developer was lodged with the Council a year
ago.
Planning Board member Don Hutchings said that where
he lives, near Depot Road, it is proposed to allow
more businesses. However, given the sharp curves in
the road and steep hills, that the Council should
pull back on that proposal. He couldn't see curb cuts
with business traffic pulling out on the hills. Council
member Matt Sturgis immediately agreed and then the
Council said they would do what Mr. Hutchings asked.
After sifting through the Planning Board public hearing
comment, the Council on Monday night discussed their
plan to move forward with solidifying the zone changes
into town ordinance. The process requires two readings
and a public hearing by the Council. Manager Mitchell
A. Berkowitz explained to the Council that the Public
Hearing could occur at the same night as the Second
Reading. He also said that the statute requires that
the exact map that delineates the zones and the text
describing the zones with map and lot numbers is also
required to be presented, but that it didn't have
to be at First Reading, it could be provided at Second
Reading and then voted on that night.
The map is the formal map that illustrates exactly
where the zones are and after examination, a citizen
would learn where their particular owned parcel falls
and then could make comment about the changes relative
to their land ownership. The accompanying text describes
the zones boundaries and include map and lot numbers
so that citizens can determine where their land lies
relative to others in the zone.
The Council and Manager had been increasing their
attention and pace regarding the zone changes in the
last few months. In June, up to three new members
could be elected and they could change or halt the
course of the zone work already completed.
Monday night, the Council discussed what zone parts
can go forward. They said that several proposed zone
changes are not ready and congratulated the citizens
who brought important items to their attention at
the Planning Board public hearing.
Council Chair accepted the proposed work flow of First
Reading sans map on May 24, and Second Reading with
map, public hearing and vote all on June 7. She asked
for comment from fellow Councilors.
Outgoing Vice-Chair Lynn Olson said, "I am not
going to be here after June 7, so let the guys decide."
Mr. Sturgis said he would rather see things lined
up and not rushed. He expressed concern with the fact
that the map would not be ready, due to Greater Portland
Council of Governments' staff person who does the
mapping having left.
Gary Foster said that "experience tells me that
I want a good look at this before we move on it."
Ms. Wilkinson said, "I can see how this is going
to go, and I do not like the rushed atmosphere, either."
She directed the manager to schedule the First Reading
for June 7.
Mr. Berkowitz said, "So the First reading should
not take place until all elements are in place. We
can still have the first reading June 7th but will
then await direction from a new Council."
