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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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