The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are holding a series of three public meetings by March 1st to review in detail the provisions of the article seeking to recodify the Town's zoning bylaw. The article that 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 recognize recent judicial decisions. The result is a document that is clearer, more understandable, and easier for Town officials and the public to use. The changes are non-substantive. Separate articles are being proposed to address floodplain protection and maps, special permits for educational and religious uses, and the mix of retail and office use within the mixed use overlay district. Further substantive changes in site plan approval and other sections of the zoning bylaw will be proposed in spring 2012.
A similar zoning bylaw recodification article was "passed over" at the November 2010 Special Town Meeting amid concerns about its complexity and voter unfamiliarity of the details. Interested citizens have been working with members of the two 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 submitted since the town meeting, and those edits made during the first public meeting on January 13.
The second of the three public meetings to be conducted by members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, together with special legal counsel and staff, has been scheduled for 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 set of frequently asked questions about the zoning recodification bylaw is pasted below for your reference.
We encourage interested citizens to attend either of the upcoming public meetings to gain a better understanding of the purpose 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, or the Planning Board's article hearing on Tuesday, March 1. Written questions or comments can be directed in writing by sending an email to Town Planner Sarkis Sarkisian at ssarkisian@wayland.ma.us.
Zoning bylaw text: http://www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_Planning/8xs001!01811finalrecod.pdf
FAQ’s: http://www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_Planning/FAQRecodification.pdf
