WATERFORD – Four land management districts and one special district would be created under proposed new rules that will be discussed at a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, at the Waterford Town Office.

The rules will be up for a formal vote at the town meeting March 5, 2005.

The Land Management Standards Ordinance would create a historic village architectural district, a village district, a general development district, a rural district and a special district to provide extra protection to underground aquifers, said William Stockwell, chairman of the Waterford Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee.

The ordinance has been in the making since voters in this town of 1,440 people approved a new Comprehensive Plan at the 2001 town meeting.

The plan identified Waterford Flat, South Waterford and North Waterford as historic village areas that contribute to the town’s character and deserve architectural protections.

Any new development in these areas would need to be compatible with the existing village characteristics.

The greater village district as an area suitable for village-type growth, where a mixture of land uses will maintain and enhance village and town character. Areas adjacent to Waterford Flat, South Waterford, North Waterford and East Waterford have been identified.

The general development district is identified as areas best suited to residential and commercial-type growth. This is an area where single-family residential, multi-family and mobile home parks would be allowed, as well as commercial and manufacturing development. Public and governmental uses are also allowed in this area.

Rural areas were identified as places that are not served by good roads and contain large tracts of forest land. The purpose of the rural district is to maintain large blocks of forest and agricultural lands and open space.

A Land Management District map is available for review at the town office. The map shows each property parcel in town and which district it is in. The plan also includes a table of land use activities and whether they are permitted or banned, or permitted with planning board approval.

The proposed ordinance also sets lot size, street frontage and setback requirements for the different districts. Lot sizes would range from one acre in village districts to two acres in the general development and rural districts. Lots for subdivisions in the rural district would be set at five acres.

The ordinance also sets standards for accessory apartments, relaxation of standards for temporary dwellings for the elderly and disabled, elderly and congregated housing, and water quality protection.

The aquifer protection district would not allow uses that could pollute groundwater.

Members of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee are Stockwell, William Wheeler, Bart Hague, Leslie Gammon, Bruce Sanborn, Cynthia Hamlin and Tim Fanning.

More information may be obtained by calling the Waterford town office at 583-4403.