Residents urge board to advance Ordinance 447 and update zoning code

Several residents urged the Raymond board to advance Ordinance 447, a comprehensive rewrite of the village zoning code. A public commenter told trustees the current code ‘‘originated in 1963’’ and said the attorney-drafted ordinance brings definitions, setbacks and procedures up to modern standards.

"Updating the zoning code gives residential property owners, businesses, developers, and the village something extremely important: clarity and certainty," a public commenter told the board. The speaker said the draft corrects obsolete references to state law and would make enforcement more practicable.

Trustees acknowledged the committee had received the attorney's draft and discussed scheduling the planning and zoning committee to review it. Members said the attorney offered to meet with the committee at a reduced charge to answer questions and help the board move the process forward.

Speakers emphasized that adopting clear zoning language would not immediately change every property but would provide a foundation for future, more detailed rules where needed. A public commenter also encouraged the board to avoid unnecessary delays in the review process to allow a public hearing later in the process.