FARMINGTON – Voters will decide in March if they want to rezone a section of West Farmington from village residential to village commercial.
It took 75 minutes for a public hearing and decision-making on the proposed zoning amendment.
The change impacts 10 lots bounded by Oakes Street, Bridge Street and Thomas McClellan Road.
Anders Olafson runs a retail sales and service business, which is grandfathered in the village residential zone. He wants to expand his business to include small engine repair, something not allowed in the existing zone.
Olafson said he was told there is a way he could run a home occupation at his site if he lived there.
The Zoning Board approved the amendment to the zoning ordinance to go to selectmen after months of discussions and two public hearings.
The residential area is surrounded by a village business district.
The change would open up the village residential area to amusement facilities, automobile repair and sales, small engine repair, bed and breakfast establishments, boat building, building materials and retail sales, commercial schools, and conference centers
Resident Sally Speich said she was concerned about more traffic in the area that is already congested.
She said she’d rather see small businesses there than another fast food place.
The proposed change doesn’t only affect the neighborhood, Speich said, but the whole town.
Speich wanted to know if there was any way to accommodate Olafson’s small business.
The small change now, she said, could affect the town years down the road.
Town Manager Richard Davis said if the area was rezoned to village business it would disrupt the historic area downtown.
Paula Buchanan, who owns a home in the area, sent in a letter opposing the change.
The Zoning Board determined in its findings that the change would promote economic development, especially service businesses and tourism, and would support the development of the recreational and alternative transportation right of way that would meet several goals in the town’s comprehensive plan.
Zoning members concurred the proposal would have no negative impact on existing public infrastructure and the municipality’s ability to provide municipal service in the future.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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