The Edgecomb Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend changes to the town’s land use ordinances on Davis Island during a public hearing Nov. 3.
As proposed, the proposed changes would reduce the size of the Gateway District to more closely follow Rt. 1.
The areas to be removed from the Gateway District would be transferred to the Marine 1 District and have a density requirement of one unit per two acres of land. A floor area cap of 35,000 feet will be put in place.
The Marine 1 District is a piece of land that cuts across Davis Island from the Sheepscot River to Cod Cove.
The proposed changes would encourage development on the Route 1 corridor where the town prefers development and maintain its rural character outside, Planning Board Chair Jack French said.
“It does a good job of expanding [the Gateway District’s] commercial use, ” French said. “It makes it more of a village.”
Town resident Julie Hofheimer praised the changes during the public hearing.
“Restricting the Gateway District closer to Rt. 1 will preserve the rural character of the town,” Hofheimer said.
A second public hearing will be held Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edgecomb Town Office. The proposed changes will ultimately be voted on the by town at a yet to be determined town meeting.
The town will also be able to vote on whether to repeal the moratorium on the processing or issuance of development permits on the Island. Edgecomb voted to enact the 180-day moratorium at a special town meeting held on May 21. The moratorium was enacted to give the planning board time to make the existing zoning ordinances more restrictive.
