The Public Hearing this past Tuesday was very interesting. More people would be interested in the proposed zoning ordinances if they realized the ordinances being proposed will not apply just to any future development tracts. They will apply to all areas within the Town of Eddington once approved.
If I understand correctly, once the Planning Committee finalizes the drafted ordinances (meaning goes back and reviews the comments made at the two Public Hearings and any feedback by the Board of Selectmen and the town's Code Enforcement Officer), these Zoning Ordinances will have to be presented for a final vote at a Town Meeting.
If ever there is a time when the residents of this town need to get copies of the proposed ordinances AND A MAP of where these ordinances will apply, AND THEN SHOW UP FOR THE VOTE, this will be one of those times.
There is a lot of good work and thought that has been put in to these ordinances. But people who own residential properties, or lots for which they have plans, need to see how these ordinances will be impacted. And if you will be impacted in ways you may not like after the ordinances are (probably) approved, you better get your permits now, rather than later. Because "later" may be too late.
One thing I do think - even summer residents should be able to vote on some of these measures - or at least have the opportunity to speak, because these ordinances allow Cottage Industries to exist right next door to residential properties and I'm not too sure how people might feel about that once the definition of Cottage Industries will be understood - especially since the current map being used provides no footnote regarding any caveat pertaining to Shoreland Zoning (even though there was "reference" to that during the discussion at the meeting).
But if someone buys a piece of property within the Shoreland zoning area, not knowing about Shoreland zoning, and goes to the town office and simply asks for the town's zoning ordinances....where is the "Oh, BTW" clause. At the moment, properties along the shoreline at Davis Pond are shown in a "Mixed Use District" - not so good.
Check in at the Town Office and get your copies of the Map and Draft Sub-Division and Zoning Ordinances soon. And then READ THEM.
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