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Ms. Kuhn, but who spoke of the inappropriateness of the expanded business category in the Rural Residential zone and who referred to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan to support their views.

Public discussion

The Public Hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment was prefaced by John Davies, Ms. Kuhn’s attorney. Mr. Davies presented written letters of support from Jewelry By Edmund owners Edmund and Bridie Kavanagh and from r.h. ballard art, rug & home owners Robert and Joan Ballard. The Kavanaghs wrote of the success of the Middleton Inn, and of businesses leaving town because of denied applications, and the Ballards praised Ms. Kuhn for her “excellent track record of quality service” and said that “we feel she would not jeopardize this outstanding record with any usage unsympathetic to quality service and the needs of the community.”

Mr. Davies spoke of the “benefit in tax revenues” of the proposed amendment and asked “whether you want to have those benefits?” He said that there were not many properties in the Town that eould qualify for the new category, implying that the impact of Bed and Breakfast Inns on the Town’s character would be minimal.

Charlie Kevis was the first resident to speak on the issue, and he suggested that Mr. Davies was obfuscating, and that the fundamental point was whether or not the proposed amendment was “in the spirit of the Comprehensive Plan,” and he added that he did not think it was. He also said that the existing Zoning Ordinance clearly spells out what is permissible and noted Mr. Davies’ point that Ms. Kuhn would be the primary beneficiary of the proposed change.

Others in opposition included Carol Miller who said that “This is not just about one property—you will change the face of the Town

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