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An urgent task
At the Washington Town Council’s meeting last Wednesday, the council approved a subdivision request from Rev. Richard Scott. Nothing remarkable, except that the council was forced to attach several provisions which neither the council members, nor the applicant, wished to include.
Those provisions were made necessary by the language of the ordinance, which makes certain requirements of subdividers and provides no exceptions or methods to waive them.
The town’s Planning Commission agrees that work is needed on the ordinance; its chairman, William Wickens, feels that the entire ordinance must be rewritten.
Whatever route the commissioners take, they need to begin their task promptly. Rev. Scott’s request, and its resolution, points out the difficulties and hardships created by poorly written or outdated ordinances.
In the past, the commission has done an excellent job of writing the state-required comprehensive plan, as well as a major revision of the town’s zoning ordinances. The historic district ordinance written by the commission has also strengthened the town’s legal hand in attempting to preserve •the town’s character.
These past successes make it all the more imperative that the planning commission not dawdle over revising the subdivision ordinance. < Rev. Scott’s proposal was relatively benign, and met with no real objections from either his neighbors or the members of the council. But that may not be the case with future applications. - As Mr. Wickens pointed out, there are a number of parcels of land throughout the town which could be subdivided. If they are developed by someone who does not take into account the best interests of the town, as well as his bwn, the result could be disastrous.
Under the present subdivision ordinance, requirements for streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters could leave parts of town looking like Reston transplanted.
Or perhaps worse, a court challenge might overturn the fentire ordinance, leaving the developer free to do whatever be pleases, without the town having any legal recourse. That, admittedly, is a far-fetched scenario, but it’s one which we’re sure that no one wants to test.
Mr. Wickens spoke of the Planning Commission having a draft ordinance ready for public hearing by the fall. We hope that the schedule can be met. The town needs the protectiort afforded by a complete set of ordinances which support and buttress each other.
It’s a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts, and the sooner the “whole” is in place, the better.
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