 |
JACKSON PLANNING BOARD ANNUAL REPORT -- 2009
In 2009, Jackson Planning Board members reviewed proposals for land use changes from property owners, committees, and Selectmen. Approvals granted to property owners during the year included one Voluntary Merger, one Boundary Line Adjustment, and one two-lot Subdivision; the Board also recommended to the Board of Selectmen approval of a third cellular tower to be installed on Black Mountain. In addition, Board members reviewed existing ordinances and regulations, plus State laws, court decisions, and recommendations from Selectmen, committees, and citizens, to determine what Zoning Ordinance revisions might benefit the town. The Board presented potential Zoning Ordinance changes at two public hearings, gathering public opinion prior to proposing four Zoning Ordinance amendments for vote at the 2010 Town
Meeting cycle. The proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments changed as a result of these hearings, with one proposal dropped entirely, and parts of the others changed in accordance with suggestions.
During spring, summer and fall, the Planning Board worked with two subcommittees to discuss which proposals citizens believed would benefit the town. The Board continues to invite the community at large to join in the planning process; often there are openings on the Board, and opportunities are available at nearly every point in a meeting for citizens to express their comments and ideas. Planning Board meetings are publicized in advance, meeting State requirements for notice of public meetings and hearings: electronically on the web (www.jacksonvillage.net) and through the town’s internet communication system (sign up at ENews@middlemtn.com); on paper both in the posting case outside the Post Office-Bakery area and at the Town Offices building; and in the Conway Daily Sun.
- At the 2009 Town Meeting, voters approved Zoning Ordinance amendments to add a definition for the Accessory Apartment section, and to add definitions and requirements concerning Site Disturbances.
- Zoning Ordinance amendments proposed for voting in March 2010 focus on the need to 1) clarify a section on non-conforming buildings, 2) comply with State laws indicating that municipalities must provide “reasonable and realistic opportunities for the development of Workforce Housing”, 3) add a definition concerning Historic Structures because the term is used at the section on Areas of Special Flood Hazard, and 4) bring the section about how the Board of Adjustment must review appeals into compliance with State laws.
At this time, there is one opening for a regular member, and one for an alternate member on the Planning Board; members and alternates are appointed by the Selectmen. Typically, the term of service is three years. Present Planning Board members represent a wide variety of Town interests and concerns; they work well together, attempting to reach consensus on matters that they determine to be important to the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsey Harding, Chair
January 20, 2010
| |
