Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Sweeping changes to permitted use tables, mixed-use standards, proximity restrictions, and definitions (including nightclubs) affect town-wide land use, business siting, and residential compatibility, with repeated public hearings and tabling.
The Planning Board has advanced five zoning ordinance amendments through staged reviews and public hearings, focusing on permitted uses, mixed-use standards, and proximity restrictions. Debate centered on whether to add a nightclub definition, with continuation to August 11 for further discussion.
Zoning ordinance amendments first surfaced for formal review at the June 23, 2026 Planning Board meeting, where staff presented updates to the permitted use table, mixed-use development standards, personal services in business districts, and proximity rules for cigar bars and kennels.
The board debated height and density standards with reference to existing projects and the master plan, then agreed to notice the amendments for public hearing on July 14 while awaiting related state legislation.
At the July 14 public hearing, a resident requested that Amendment 5 add 'nightclubs' to address noise and late-night traffic concerns; staff noted the draft focused on post-10 p.m. operations, and board members discussed the difficulty of defining nightclubs without triggering excessive variances.
The hearing closed with discussion continued to the July 28 meeting.
On July 28 the board opened another public hearing on the five amendments, which now included consolidating educational and general uses, allowing mixed-use in commercial districts, and establishing proximity restrictions between kennels, cigar bars, and recreational districts, but no public testimony was offered.
The hearing closed after no speakers came forward, and the board voted unanimously to continue discussion to August 11, 2026.
Discussion will continue at the August 11, 2026 Planning Board meeting.
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