Post by towncryer on Jun 1, 2008 7:56:26 GMT -5
To the editor:
Acton is a community with beautiful scenic views, open spaces, and a wide variety of natural resources, which is why people like to live in Acton and will likely continue to want to move here. However, some of these resources are subject to the pressures that accompany unplanned growth.
Loss of open space, natural areas and rural character were concerns identified during the drafting of the town's 2005 Comprehensive Plan. At the same time, Acton citizens also voiced concern about the town's ability to pay for capital improvements to serve future growth and development.
The 2005 Comprehensive Plan includes an analysis of historical growth patterns, as well as an analysis of the suitability of land for future development. The conclusion of these studies is that future development in Acton is very likely to occur in the more remote parts of town, which includes the far north and south sections of town. Also identified in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan is that the current uniform nature of the townwide zoning of a 2-acre minimum lot size presents a threat to the town's rural areas, character, wildlife habitat, and ultimately the finances of Acton in providing services to a widely dispersed population.
To encourage and address the concerns about the loss of open space, natural areas and rural character raised by Acton citizens, the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (CPIC) has proposed a zoning map that will help balance areas of growth between higher density (smaller lots) in the village and transitional zones, and lower density (larger lots) in the rural and critical zones.
The CPIC has been hard at work amending the Acton Zoning Ordinance to incorporate the policies that were established in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by Town Meeting and deemed consistent with the State's Growth Management Program. The CPIC has also been trying to meet the deadline established in MRSA, Title 30-A, Section 4314. Pursuant to this law, ordinances or portions of ordinances (which include zoning ordinances) that conflict with a newly adopted comprehensive plan remain in effect for a period of up to 24 months immediately following the adoption of the comprehensive plan. Those portions of the zoning ordinance that are not consistent with a comprehensive plan are no longer in effect. What this means is that the town is vulnerable to a legal challenge if the zoning ordinance that are not consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan. The choice the town has is to either approve the proposed zoning map and ordinance changes set forth by the CPIC, or amend the 2005 Comprehensive Plan.
Hopefully, the citizens of Acton will support the proposed zoning changes and see them as a solution to manage future growth and development, while meeting long term goals of protecting Acton's quality of life.
The vote on this proposal will occur on June 10 at the Acton Town Hall. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Copies of the proposal are available on line at actonmaine.org or at the Town Clerk's Office during business hours.
Thank you for your consideration of these proposals.
Tom Cashin
Chair of Comprehensive PlanCommittee
Jamie Saltmarsh
Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
Acton is a community with beautiful scenic views, open spaces, and a wide variety of natural resources, which is why people like to live in Acton and will likely continue to want to move here. However, some of these resources are subject to the pressures that accompany unplanned growth.
Loss of open space, natural areas and rural character were concerns identified during the drafting of the town's 2005 Comprehensive Plan. At the same time, Acton citizens also voiced concern about the town's ability to pay for capital improvements to serve future growth and development.
The 2005 Comprehensive Plan includes an analysis of historical growth patterns, as well as an analysis of the suitability of land for future development. The conclusion of these studies is that future development in Acton is very likely to occur in the more remote parts of town, which includes the far north and south sections of town. Also identified in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan is that the current uniform nature of the townwide zoning of a 2-acre minimum lot size presents a threat to the town's rural areas, character, wildlife habitat, and ultimately the finances of Acton in providing services to a widely dispersed population.
To encourage and address the concerns about the loss of open space, natural areas and rural character raised by Acton citizens, the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (CPIC) has proposed a zoning map that will help balance areas of growth between higher density (smaller lots) in the village and transitional zones, and lower density (larger lots) in the rural and critical zones.
The CPIC has been hard at work amending the Acton Zoning Ordinance to incorporate the policies that were established in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by Town Meeting and deemed consistent with the State's Growth Management Program. The CPIC has also been trying to meet the deadline established in MRSA, Title 30-A, Section 4314. Pursuant to this law, ordinances or portions of ordinances (which include zoning ordinances) that conflict with a newly adopted comprehensive plan remain in effect for a period of up to 24 months immediately following the adoption of the comprehensive plan. Those portions of the zoning ordinance that are not consistent with a comprehensive plan are no longer in effect. What this means is that the town is vulnerable to a legal challenge if the zoning ordinance that are not consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan. The choice the town has is to either approve the proposed zoning map and ordinance changes set forth by the CPIC, or amend the 2005 Comprehensive Plan.
Hopefully, the citizens of Acton will support the proposed zoning changes and see them as a solution to manage future growth and development, while meeting long term goals of protecting Acton's quality of life.
The vote on this proposal will occur on June 10 at the Acton Town Hall. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Copies of the proposal are available on line at actonmaine.org or at the Town Clerk's Office during business hours.
Thank you for your consideration of these proposals.
Tom Cashin
Chair of Comprehensive PlanCommittee
Jamie Saltmarsh
Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission