Wallingford adopts new zoning rules
Toolbox
By SANDI SWITZER HERALD CORRESPONDENT - Published: June 22, 2009
WALLINGFORD – Zoning and subdivision regulations approved by town officials will become effective next month.
The Wallingford Select Board voted to approve the regulations earlier this week following a brief public hearing attended by a couple of residents.
The amended 22-page zoning document submitted to the Board by the local Planning Commission was updated to reflect the town's decision to use a development review board rather than a zoning board of adjustment.
"The development review board was the only major change, there were some minor grammatical changes," Planning Commission Chairman John West told Board members.
The amended zoning regulations will replace those adopted by the town in the early 1970s and updated in 1989.
Resident Rob Carey was the only citizen to offer input at the public hearing regarding the revised regulations.
"I don't have any real objection, unlike the previous set that came out a year or so ago," Carey said.
In 2007, the Select Board rejected the Planning Commission's zoning regulations that spanned 78 pages after citizens expressed a number of concerns over the course of several public hearings.
While the latest revisions won Select Board approval, one board member voted against the regulations.
"If I had my way we wouldn't have zoning. Rutland Town and Danby don't and they're still on the map," Selectman Frank Bruce said. "With zoning, you're never going to have a business come to town."
Selectman Charles Angel commented he thought the regulations were restrictive but he said he would vote to approve them with "some reservations."
"Wallingford is a bedroom town for Rutland, and I would like to see more business in town to improve our tax base," Angel said.
The revised zoning and subdivision regulations become effective July 6.
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