Back to 2012 Town Warrant

Back to Amendment #9

Section 200 Definitions, Section 603.1, & Section 704 Off-Street Parking & Loading Areas. To delete Section 603.1; to amend Section 200 definition of “recreational vehicle” to “recreational vehicle/recreational camper” and delete “by a light duty truck”; amending Section 704.1.1 by deleting “and employees”; amending Section 704.1.2 by deleting the parking regulations for “places of public assembly” with the intention of moving this regulation into the Site Plan Review Regulations; into the delete Section 704.1.3-704.3.7 with the intention of moving these regulations into the Site Plan Review Regulations; to amend Section 704.4 Limitations on Parking to clarify that the regulations apply to “recreational vehicles/recreational campers” and motor vehicles, that a recreational vehicle/recreational camper may not be occupied for more than 30 days in a 365-day period without approval from the Board of Health under certain conditions, where a recreational vehicles/recreational campers can be stored on a property; and adding a Section allowing the outdoor, overnight parking of one registered and inspected commercial vehicle having less than 12,000 gross vehicle weight and no more than two axles.

Vice-Chair Crisler read the hearing notice into the record.

Vice-Chair Crisler motioned to open Section 200 Definitions, Section 603.1, & Section 704 Off-Street Parking and Loading Areas to Public Hearing. Seconded by Ms. Skinner. Motioned Passed: 6-0.

Ms. Scott highlighted the changes to be made in these Sections:

• Change the definition section

• Change some of the uses permitted and

• The parking areas.

Much of this is to be moved out of Zoning into the Site Plan Regulations for greater flexibility. Ms. Scott reviewed Legal comments and will change the language of 704.2.7 to make clearer that overnight parking is allowed on property “where residential use is the primary use of the property by the driver of the vehicle.”

Board discussion/comments included:

• Changing the language of 704.2.7 was agreed to;

• Organizing this large ordinance into 3 sections for ease on the ballot; The three sections would be 1.) Recreational Vehicle Regulations, 2.) Parking and 3.) Overnight Parking of Commercial Vehicles.

Chairwoman Post opened the Hearing to the Public.

Mr. Bob Poole brought up several concerns:

• If a family member from the West Coast comes to visit in his recreational vehicle, he will not be able to hook it up and live in it for a month. Ms. Scott noted that this is the current regulation; not a new restriction. Only if one’s home is destroyed, can a recreational vehicle be used as a residence with approval and current restrictions;

• Examples of a “commercial vehicle” were provided; Mr. Wrenn stated that the sub-committee attempted to keep the Ordinance simple, enforceable, and practical for most situations ;

• What if two members of a family living in the same residence both take home their trucks; The Board clarified that one of the vehicles must be garaged; that is the current Ordinance;

The Board noted that a vehicle is defined as “commercial” by its registration and inspection; Enforcement will be addressed as complaints are registered.

Vice-Chair Crisler motioned to move to Town Warrant the amendments to Section 200 Definitions and the amendments to Section 704, with the exception of the amendments to Section 704.2.7 and Section 603.1 which will return to Committee and be rescheduled for Public Hearing. Ms. St. Laurent seconded. Motion passed: 6-0.