Road width and zoning rules

The hearing will cover lot standards that would prohibit oddly shaped lots in a subdivision.

How it happened

Jun 11 · MinutesFirst mention

A board member said the site plan rules and subdivision rules do not match on road widths and road cross-sections (the side-view layout of a road). He wants to hold a public hearing next month to consider changes that make the rules consistent. A member also asked about changing zoning rules to prevent unusual lot shapes. Another member said zoning changes need public hearings in the fall and a town vote at the annual meeting.

Aug 13 · MinutesDecided

The board held a public hearing on changes to the subdivision and site plan rules. The changes fix mismatched pavement widths by setting them at 24 feet instead of 20 feet. They also say the road agent decides pipe material and add a five-foot sidewalk to the road cross-section, as the ordinance requires. The town planner said the standards apply to newly built roads, and all new streets need a 50-foot right-of-way. There was no discussion at the hearing.

Approved the amendments after a motion and second; all in favor.

Aug 13 · Minutes

The board discussed the need for an ordinance to prevent narrow, irregularly shaped lots.

Aug 13 · Agenda

The board will hold a public hearing on changes to the subdivision regulations and the site plan review regulations. The topic listed is road design criteria. Subdivision rules cover how land is split into lots. Site plan review rules cover how business and multi-unit projects are laid out.

Sep 10 · Minutes

The Board discussed changing the Subdivision Regulations to stop narrow, irregular or "fingered" lots. These rules would be added after a public hearing and would not need a vote at Town Meeting. The Board looked at example rules from Barrington and Farmington. A board member said the town needs to avoid being forced to approve subdivisions with horseshoe-shaped lots made to meet minimum upland and lot-size rules, and named the Oaklands Road Subdivision as an example. The suggested language says lots must meet zoning size rules, side lines should generally be perpendicular to straight streets and radial to curved streets, and lots should generally be square or rectangular. Odd-shaped lots, including those that join narrow strips to other parcels to meet size rules, would be prohibited. The town planner said developers could still ask for waivers, and the rules should be simple enough to cut down on routine waiver requests. The Board supported adding drawings of acceptable lots on straight and curved roads.

Sep 10 · Agenda

The board plans to discuss a possible ordinance (a local rule) to prevent irregularly shaped lots.

Oct 8 · MinutesDecided

A member asked for an update on a rule to prevent irregular shaped lots. The Board wrote draft language at its September meeting, and it is in the September minutes. The Board agreed to hold the first public hearing on the proposed changes next month.

The Board agreed to hold the first public hearing next month.

Nov 12 · Agenda

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a change to the town's subdivision regulations (the rules for dividing land into lots). The change would add standards for lot shape to section J, General, to stop oddly shaped lots. Lot size and dimensions could not be less than the Zoning Ordinance requires. Side lot lines would generally be perpendicular to straight streets and radial to curved streets. Lots would generally be rectangular or square. Odd-shaped or contorted lots would be prohibited, including lots where narrow strips are joined to other parcels just to meet lot size rules.

Nov 12 · Agenda

The board will hold a public hearing on its subdivision regulations. Subdivision regulations are the town rules for dividing one piece of land into smaller lots. The meeting starts at 7pm.

Nov 12 · Agenda

The hearing will cover lot standards that would prohibit oddly shaped lots in a subdivision.