The town has finally made public the text of revisions to the Village Infill Planning Area rules that the town board adopted in October.

The changes will set new maximum building heights, setbacks and house square footage limits. The revisions are posted on the town Website. To read, CLICK HERE> (You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document.)

The changes, approved by the Town Board Oct. 10, came in response to concerns that some new homes and renovations to existing homes in the old part of town are out of character with the surrounding neighborhood. Key provisions:

• Additions of more than 250 square feet must meet design and size restrictions.
• Front setbacks cannot be greater or less than other structures within 500 feet on either side, and must be within 10 feet of the closest adjoining house.
• Heights are restricted to 37 feet or 2 1/2 stories, whichever is less.

(Comments welcome – by clicking “comments” below)

Town officials say the amendments will be in effect only for one year, through Oct. 10, 2007. That will give the town planning staff time to create what officials describe as “design-based regulations.” These new regulations would come up for review and approval next summer.

In his column in the winter 2006 Town Message newsletter, Mayor Randy Kincaid discussed the difficulties of translating goals — such as preserving the character of an old neighborhood — into concrete rules.

While town board members and residents may agree on the goals, “Disagreements frequently occur in the conversion step,” Kincaid wrote. After meetings with developers, residents and others, the Town Board decided to adopt interim rules linking maximum house sizes with lot sizes. Mayor Kincaid said the interim rules give the planning staff time to “fine-tune” the regulations.

Read the Oct. 10 meeting minutes on the town website. CLICK HERE>

Read the draft ordinance as it was presented. CLICK HERE>

Read the ordinance as it was approved, following “tweaking.” CLICK HERE>