BRUNSWICK — The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved major changes to the way the town reviews downtown development.

The changes were approved after the council tabled an expanded boundary that would have required more downtown structures to comply with the Village Review Board’s ordinance.

The council also set a public hearing for mid-July to consider moving the town’s polling place from Brunswick Junior High School to the former U.S. Navy Field House at Brunswick Landing, which will become the town’s new recreation facility.

Planning and Development Director Anna Breinich had said the zoning ordinance, which was rewritten at the request of the council, would help streamline the planning process for development in the Village Review Zone.

This is mainly achieved by creation of new tier and classification systems that will help developers and the Planning Department determine what kind of development requires full review by the Village Review Board, Breinich said.

The zoning ordinance covers various kinds of developments, including demolition and renovation.

With the town expected to move its Recreation Department to Brunswick Landing this fall, Town Manager Gary Brown proposed designating the building as the town’s new polling place for elections.

While most councilors expressed reluctance to move the polling place this year, all but one of the nine voted to hold a public hearing on the proposal on July 15.

The council would then have to vote on the measure at its July 29 meeting.

“I have heard from a few constituents who don’t support it,” said Councilor Sarah Brayman, who opposed holding the public hearing. “People want the option of walking or driving a short distance.”

Dylan Martin can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or dmartin@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DylanLJMartin.

Copy the Story Link