FARMINGTON — A revised Shoreland Zoning Ordinance was reviewed at a public hearing at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday.

The ordinance was rejected by town meeting voters last year after
questions were raised about limits on recreational vehicles and the
number of people allowed to visit private campsites within the
shoreland zone.

The changes represent some “good work,” said Tom Eastler, who raised
questions last year about the document. “I’ll support passage before we
have to default to one that (the Department of Environmental
Protection) is making us have,” he said.

 
The revised law allows five recreational vehicles per new private
campsite in the shoreland zone. It previously allowed one. A
recreational vehicle is defined as a towed vehicle designed for
sleeping.

Exemptions to allow more than five vehicles for a limited time
could be granted by the town’s code enforcement officer. There is no
limit on other types of vehicles per campsite. 

Another change is no limit on the number of people allowed to
camp at each private campsite, Kaiser said. The limit had been 10
people.

 
Eastler said that last year he raised a hypothetical situation of seven
people driving in recreational vehicles to park at a private site for a
family gathering such as a wedding. If 35 relatives showed up, the
landowner would again be breaking the law, he said.

  “The bulk of the concerns have been addressed,” Eastler said.

Other revisions include adding one new wetland to the town’s shoreland
zoning map, with eight of 27 wetlands listed as moderate to high value
by the state Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Environmental
Protection departments. Allowance of single-family homes in protected
areas with Planning Board approval and timber harvest options are also
included.

Copies of the changes and revised fact sheet are available at the
town office, Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said. They will also
be available at town meeting.  

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