Zoning Amendment: Off-Street Parking/Loading Areas

In an effort to educate the public on the zoning ordinance amendments that are being recommended by the Planning Board for 2012 Town Meeting, a series of articles will be published leading up to Town Meeting on March 13^th.  Each article will provide a summary of one or more zoning amendments being proposed. 

By Sy Wrenn:

History:  (What is the current status?)  Currently our definition of a recreational vehicle and our parking regulations are located in the Zoning Ordinance. 

Why:  (Is this being proposed?)  The definition of a recreation vehicle needs to be updated as well as the rules regarding parking and occupancy on residentially zoned properties.  The other part of the amendment is to move the off-street parking regulations for commercial properties to the Site Plan Regulations to give the Planning Board the flexibility to waive requirements if the situation warrants.

Effect:  (If this is passed by the voters.)  The definition of a Recreation Vehicle will be modified to include Recreational Camper.  Also the regulations regarding Recreational Vehicles/Recreational Campers are rewritten to clarify where they can be parked on a lot, how long they can be occupied by a resident and under what conditions.

The Off-Street Parking & Loading Areas sections of the Zoning Ordinance for commercial properties will be deleted in their entirety.  After this is passed by the voters, the Planning Board will adopt the same regulations as part of the Site Plan Regulations.