Zoning subcommittee sets March–June schedule, plans focused commercial hearing and summer survey

The Planning & Zoning Commission zoning regulation update subcommittee agreed on a stepped schedule to expedite changes to the town’s commercial zoning while continuing residential work later in the year. Staff said the aim is to present and adopt the commercial portion in time for commission action ahead of the mid‑summer target the group discussed.

Staff told the subcommittee that the recommended sequence begins with a March subcommittee meeting to finalize presentations, an April workshop to present drafts to the public, a June 2 in‑person public hearing focused on commercial zones, a short June 4 debrief (Zoom) and a moved full commission vote on June 23. The approach reduces the risk of trying to cover all commercial and residential changes in one hearing and allows residents to focus feedback on each topic.

Commissioners also debated whether to run an updated public survey. Staff said the draft survey is technical and would require careful question design and outreach; several members argued a survey helps document public engagement. The group agreed to review the draft survey and decide at the March 10 meeting whether to launch a three‑week survey in May (with publicity and an embedded recorded workshop for context).

Next steps: staff will revise the timeline and circulate meeting materials in advance of the March meeting so the subcommittee can confirm dates and the survey decision.