Don't forget the zoning amendments
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| March 06, 2008 To the Editor: With so much attention in Moultonboro focused on the controversial Community Center project and the possible change of our form of government to SB2, many voters might be unaware that there are four proposed zoning amendments on the warrant as well. |
Since the Planning Board, of which I am a member, has worked for much of this past year on these amendments, and because the descriptions on the ballot are of necessity very sketchy, I hope you will give me a bit of space to explain their importance.
Often zoning amendments are viewed suspiciously as change--but all four of these proposed amendments are designed to give the Town of Moultonboro a way to control change, consistent with our Master Plan mandate to maintain the rural character of the town. And in one case, the Shoreland Protection section, it has been re-written because the state itself has made a change, which the town must address.
The town's existing Shoreland Protection section has been rewritten to be consistent with the new act of the State of New Hampshire to go into effect April 1. If this proposed 2008 amendment does not pass the existing 2006 amendment will remain in force and the town will be in serious conflict with the state. If it passes, our ordinance will be easier to administer, will be consistent with the state's newly passed Act, and will help the town and the state control changes to the town's valuable shore front.
The amendment to the Sign Chapter came out of citizen action last summer to put some controls on electronic signs, which many felt were drastically changing the character of the town. If the amendment passes, businesses will still be able to advertise as they always have, but any new bright electronic message signs will not be allowed. There is also a slight change to the temporary sign section to close a loophole. This is very likely a first phase of a complete reorganization of the Sign chapter, but in light of intense citizen concern, the Board felt it was important to take these steps this year.
The Minimum Square Footage amendment is designed to give the Planning Board a tool to deal with extremely large buildings, sometimes called Big Boxes, that might be proposed in the future. This amendment will not affect buildings of the type and size now being developed in Moultonboro.
And finally, after many years of trying to join our neighboring towns with some additional wetland protection, the Board this year, working with the Conservation Commission, has written a Wetland Setback ordinance chapter which will help keep our extensive wetlands from being damaged. Lots under five acres that already exist will not be affected and lot sizes will remain the same but building will not be allowed within 50 feet of any large wetland as specified in the chapter, and a 25-ft. natural buffer will be required.
There are many details to the four amendments above and the complete amendments are available in the Land Use Office at Moultonboro Town Hall, as they were at the two public hearings that considered these changes. I personally hope you will take the time to look at these amendments. However, in our busy lives this may not be possible. Therefore, once in the voting booth, I hope voters will bare in mind that these proposed amendments to the Town's Zoning ordinance are all designed, as our Master Plan says, to preserve the rural character of the town and to protect our valuable water and natural resources and that the Moultonboro Planning Board has unanimously recommended all four amendments.
Judy Ryerson
Moultonboro
Often zoning amendments are viewed suspiciously as change--but all four of these proposed amendments are designed to give the Town of Moultonboro a way to control change, consistent with our Master Plan mandate to maintain the rural character of the town. And in one case, the Shoreland Protection section, it has been re-written because the state itself has made a change, which the town must address.
The town's existing Shoreland Protection section has been rewritten to be consistent with the new act of the State of New Hampshire to go into effect April 1. If this proposed 2008 amendment does not pass the existing 2006 amendment will remain in force and the town will be in serious conflict with the state. If it passes, our ordinance will be easier to administer, will be consistent with the state's newly passed Act, and will help the town and the state control changes to the town's valuable shore front.
The amendment to the Sign Chapter came out of citizen action last summer to put some controls on electronic signs, which many felt were drastically changing the character of the town. If the amendment passes, businesses will still be able to advertise as they always have, but any new bright electronic message signs will not be allowed. There is also a slight change to the temporary sign section to close a loophole. This is very likely a first phase of a complete reorganization of the Sign chapter, but in light of intense citizen concern, the Board felt it was important to take these steps this year.
The Minimum Square Footage amendment is designed to give the Planning Board a tool to deal with extremely large buildings, sometimes called Big Boxes, that might be proposed in the future. This amendment will not affect buildings of the type and size now being developed in Moultonboro.
And finally, after many years of trying to join our neighboring towns with some additional wetland protection, the Board this year, working with the Conservation Commission, has written a Wetland Setback ordinance chapter which will help keep our extensive wetlands from being damaged. Lots under five acres that already exist will not be affected and lot sizes will remain the same but building will not be allowed within 50 feet of any large wetland as specified in the chapter, and a 25-ft. natural buffer will be required.
There are many details to the four amendments above and the complete amendments are available in the Land Use Office at Moultonboro Town Hall, as they were at the two public hearings that considered these changes. I personally hope you will take the time to look at these amendments. However, in our busy lives this may not be possible. Therefore, once in the voting booth, I hope voters will bare in mind that these proposed amendments to the Town's Zoning ordinance are all designed, as our Master Plan says, to preserve the rural character of the town and to protect our valuable water and natural resources and that the Moultonboro Planning Board has unanimously recommended all four amendments.
Judy Ryerson
Moultonboro
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