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It’s a start
The Planning Commission for the Town of Washington has submitted to the Town Council, with a recommendation for approval, a comprehensive plan and amendments to the present zoning ordinances.
The proposals met with mixed reviews and some hostility at the public hearing held recently. Certainly the plans are not perfect, and that fact was admitted by a member of the commission in a recent interview. They do, however, represent a starting point.
The state has mandated that every local governing body draw up a comprehensive plan to guide the growth and development of the area. So there is no question that Washington must comply with the law. The question is how many people will agree with the point of view expressed by the proposed plan.
The sentiment has been expressed that the plan is too conservative; that it will restrict development and deprive some residents of fair means to pursue their livelihood.
The same sentiment has been heard regarding the major change in the zoning ordinances—to redistrict the town into four classifications instead of the current one. One of the considerations in revising this, as well as some other of the ordinances, has been to make them more defensible should they be challenged in court.
The Planning Commission has put in many long volunteer hours attempting to integrate the various points of view expressed by the diverse members of the Washington community. They have certainly not succeeded in pleasing everyone. But they seem to have tried to express a spirit, a sense of what the Town of Washington is, and the direction its growth should take in the near future.
As was pointed out by the commission members, the plan is to be reviewed at least every five years. Zoning ordinances may be amended at any time. The plans proposed by the commission are far from carved in stone. The proposals do represent a start toward creating a sensible, consistent base on which to plan for the future of Washington. The commissioners deserve recognition for their efforts. , ,
A public hearing on the proposals has been scheduled for next Wednesday, July 30, at 8 p.m. at the Courthouse. If you support the commission’s recommendations, come and offer that support. If you disagree with the findings, come and voice your concerns. Only by hearing the input of the residents will the Town Council have a fair idea of how the majority of Washington’s citizens feel.
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