The Falmouth Town Council and Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee held a public forum last week concerning town growth and density. These two items were adversely impacted by the 2013 Comprehensive Plan and 2016 zoning changes.
Citizens repeatedly asked “What was the council’s objective in imposing such drastic zoning changes?” Councilors seemed unable to articulate their reasoning, leaving an explanation to a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals. He stated that the town had been approached by some citizens in the RA zoning district to allow them to make minor changes to their homes for handicap access, or to provide a “mother-in-law” apartment. Sometimes this could not be accomplished under current zoning.
Instead of handling such special cases individually, the council made sweeping changes to the zoning laws that now permit anyone in the RA district to build as many housing units, on 1/8-acre parcels, as will fit on their property. This could easily quadruple the population density in the RA district and adversely impact schools, traffic and infrastructure.
Developers, real estate agents and mortgage brokers are delighted, but reckless growth in Falmouth is neither inevitable nor desired by its citizens. Time to repeal the 2016 zoning changes.
Leland J. Hanchett Jr.
Falmouth
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