STRONG — The Planning Board will offer the public a chance to review proposed updates to the current Site Plan Review Ordinance.

On Tuesday night, consultant and former Planning Board member Tom Marcotte and board Chairman Jeff Murphy gave selectmen a preview of those changes. Voters will have a chance to review them at a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Forster Memorial Building.

Murphy said business developers currently must meet standards that ensure public and environmental safety. Strong’s original 1993 ordinance did not address many of the types of businesses operating in neighboring communities, including biomass and wind energy. The ordinance must incorporate required state and federal guidelines, Murphy said, but voters also can approve a stricter ordinance.

“I don’t want selectmen to get broadsided by questions,” Murphy said.

Applicants may be required to hire a licensed geologist, rather than a soil surveyor, Murphy said. Applicants also could be required to fund an escrow account or meet business-specific requirements. A fireworks manufacturer might be required to build a fire pond or meet more setbacks from abutters.

“For instance, we might ask for an evaluation from a licensed geologist, rather than a soil scientist,” Murphy said.

“Are we making this too strict?” Selectman Joan Reed asked.

Many towns, Marcotte noted, seem to be focusing on wind energy facilities while overlooking other types of development which could have more of a long-term impact. The Planning Board must address all possibilities to protect the town.

“Most developers would want to see the ordinance up front,” Marcotte said. “They don’t want to spend time and money just to find out the town is against what they want to do.”

Most of the ordinance remains unchanged, Murphy said, and all businesses have gone through the same review process.

“We don’t get a lot of applications, but I haven’t seen anyone walk away because they had to fill one out,” Murphy said.

Strong has many water bodies, including the Sandy River and Porter Lake. Strict state and federal laws govern shoreland development, and the Planning Board must prepare for possible development in those areas, Murphy said.