The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a series of three public meetings over the next seven weeks to review in detail the provisions of the article seeking to recodify the Town's zoning bylaw. The article will be submitted for vote at the 2011 Annual Town Meeting in April proposes to reorganize the bylaws into a more logical and orderly manner; corrects typographical, spelling, grammar and punctuation errors; clarifies ambiguous provisions; and ensures consistency of terms and references. The proposed zoning bylaw will also address specific issues that have come before the boards since the last rewrite in 1998 and recognizes recent judicial decisions. The result is a document that is clearer, more understandable, and easier for Town officials and the public to use.
A similar article was "passed over" at the November 2010 Special Town Meeting over concerns about its complexity and voter unfamiliarity of the details. Interested citizens have been working with members of the boards and Town staff to discuss items of concern since the fall town meeting. The revised version of the proposed recodification bylaw will incorporate errata presented at the November 2010 town meeting, suggestions from citizens plus those made during the three public meetings, and restore the flood protection zone previously slated for removal because it is duplicated in the conservation bylaw.
The first of the three public meetings conducted by members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals has been scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The second session will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The third meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. All meetings will be held in Town Building.A copy of the article considered at the November 2010 Special Town Meeting for use at the first public meeting can be viewed at http://www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_Selectmen/2010STM.pdf at (please see page 18 of the Warrant document).The revised version reflecting edits suggested through the first public meeting will be posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2011.
Check the Planning Board webpage for a link to frequently asked questions about the zoning recodification bylaw by Thursday’s first public meeting.
We encourage interested citizens to attend any of the three public meetings to gain a better understanding of the proposed bylaw revision and to offer your comments on the proposed text. Voters may also make comments at regular meetings of the Planning Board, the Finance Committee article hearing on Monday, January 31, the Planning Board's article hearing on Tuesday, March 1, or in writing by sending an email to Town Planner Sarkis Sariskian at ssarkisian@wayland.ma.us.
Fred Turkington
Town Administrator
