Selectmen pleased with initial zoning re-codification

Selectmen Tuesday night said they are pleased with the initial revisions to the town’s zoning bylaw, a joint project and review by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), the Planning Board, and Building Commissioner Ed Walsh.

Although the goal is to present the completed re-codification to town meeting in April, ZBA member Greg Pando said the process should not be rushed, but should be complete and thorough. He suggested that the re-codification be presented at a subsequent town meeting if it is not ready for this year’s town meeting, which begins Monday, April 26.

Final approval of the re-codification will require a two-thirds majority of town meeting voters.

ZBA member John Marini said it is important for the public to understand that the intent of the new codification is not to change zoning, but to make the bylaws understandable for the average person to know what he can or cannot do on his property,

“Our job is to make it easier for the public,” Selectman John Connolly added.

Attorney Paul Schneiders, who has represented many applicants before the ZBA and Planning Board, said he is pleased to see the updates. Schneiders said some of the language in the current bylaw dates back to 1937 and is “archaic.”

ZBA Chairman Paul Carroll said the intent was to modernize the bylaw and give it some legal input. All agreed they have the right person to help them in Attorney Mark Bobrowski, who represented the town in its Chapter 40B zoning arguments before the state, and has helped many communities modernize their zoning bylaws.

Bobrowski explained some of the revisions, which include setting deadlines for special permits, defining impacts to the town by special permit (such as financial, utilities and traffic), setting performance standards for non-residential projects (pertaining to lighting, noise, storm water management, pedestrian and vehicle access, and site development),  establishing a section for Canton’s special overlay districts, and setting definitions for every zoning term.

The goal, said Bobrowski, is to have a modern set of bylaws, which is clear, concise and easy to read and understand.

Selectman Chairman Sal Salvatori said he is pleased that the revisions will make the bylaws understandable, clarify the language, and lessen the ambiguity.

In other news, Selectman Victor DelVecchio clarified  a misconception about the proposed widening of Dedham Street in regards to the state’s plan to build a slip ramp off Route 95.

Del Vecchio said when the state uses the term “Dedham Street corridor” it does not mean the entire length of Dedham Street, but a stretch from the slip ramp exit at Shawmut Road to University Avenue. The state plans to widen that stretch as well as the three bridges crossing Route 95, the Neponset River and the MBTA tracks.

In other news:

• Selectmen held a moment of silence for Josephine D’Amico who worked as a crossing guard for the Canton Public Schools for 30 years.

• Selectmen approved a new common victualler license for the New Seoul BBQ Buffet at 100 Washington Street.

• Selectmen voted to accept with regret the retirement of Water Department foreman John Jorgensen, effective June 11. Jorgensen worked for the town for more than 20 years.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 4 2010. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.