Planning & Zoning

In the past year the Chester Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has completed a comprehensive review of the Zoning, Subdivision and Road Regulations. The goals of this review were to update existing regulations so as to respond to developing technologies, changing market conditions and the increasing demands placed on the development and use of land. It must be noted that as development continues, the remaining parcels are often more marginal or difficult and regulations must reflect these changing condition. Additionally, the Commission sought to weave together each of these 3 aspects of land use regulation into a more coordinated statement to guide P&Z decisions. It was a long and arduous task taking approximately a year and half and culminating this past spring with the formal adoption of the amended regulations.
      Immediately after this, the P&Z Commission decided to sustain its schedule of meeting every two weeks and undertook a review of the Village District Regulations, specifically the use of sidewalks downtown. There was extensive public input overwhelmingly in favor of allowing limited use of the village sidewalks by local merchants and regulations were formulated and adopted in late spring.
      As the year came to a close, the Commission decided the appropriate sequence was to turn its attention to the Plan of Conservation and Development for the required 10 year review and return to the Village District Regulations only after that overriding document had been updated. The Plan of Conversation should go to public hearing in the early spring of 2006.
      The Commission has worked hard to articulate regulations which respond to contemporary demands while also protecting our history as a community and rich heritage. This is not achieved alone. Many thanks to the Board of Selectmen and CREPA - a continuous support and resource. One of the fundamental things that keeps this community vibrant and quality of life so strikingly high is the level of public interest, participation and debate at the P&Z public hearings and at Town Meetings.
      We look forward to another year of engaging discussions.

Judy Brown, Zoning Enforcement Officer
860 526-0013 Ext 208
Email: ZoningOfficial@chesterct.org

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