Staff previews five‑year comp‑plan review, Downtown Development District renewal and cottage‑housing proposal

Community development staff told the Georgetown Planning Commission on Aug. 20 that the town’s five‑year review of the comprehensive plan (adopted in 2021) is due by July 2026, that the Downtown Development District designation is reaching the end of its 10‑year term and that staff plan to apply for renewal and conduct public outreach.

The update matters because the comprehensive plan review and the Downtown Development District renewal will shape development incentives, outreach priorities and potential zoning updates for the downtown and adjacent areas.

Staff said the Downtown Development District, awarded by the state in 2016, incentivizes development along East Market Street and east of town; the town has extended the designation at least once and is preparing a renewal application for a five‑year term. Staff said the renewal application is due in February (staff said they hope to submit earlier) and that the department launched a dedicated website and outreach using a platform called Zen City; the site will host surveys and engagement opportunities and staff asked commissioners to help disseminate the outreach to property owners, developers, businesses, residents and potential investors.

Staff also briefed the commission that a cottage‑community proposal — described as two small cottages on East Market Street — will be the subject of a staff report and a presentation to town council in September. Staff said they were asked to review possible zoning provisions to permit that use and that council will decide whether to pursue a zoning amendment. Staff noted a prior ‘minor variation’ determination for a separate property (33 and 7 Parsons Lane) had been concurred by the Office of State Planning and that a formal land‑use and zoning map amendment is expected to return to the commission.

Commissioners asked who would be targeted for the downtown outreach; staff said outreach will include existing property owners who have used downtown development incentives, local businesses, residents, developers and investors and that staff will contact developers who have used the incentives to evaluate past outcomes. Staff also noted they had received informal interest in possible business activity for a recently vacated Rite Aid site but said there was no formal application at the time of the meeting.

Staff requested the commissioners’ assistance in distributing outreach materials and said specific items related to the comprehensive plan review, downtown renewal and cottage‑housing proposal will appear on future agendas.