Middlesex Planning Commission
Minutes of Public Hearing for Proposed Zoning Changes
August 31, 2005
7:00 – 7:35 pm
Middlesex Town Hall

Attendance:
Planning Commission Members: Sandra Levine, Gregg Faber, Lowell Smith, Steve Martin, Paula Crossett.

Public: George Fox, Fred McCullough, Darlene Martin, Dale Klein, Aaron Weed, Dave Shepard, Chris Nordle

Introduction on process for zoning changes. (SL)

Comments from those present:
1. Dave Shepard –
 • Support changes as drafted and encourage adoption
 • If zoning for mixed use area not proposed, PC should still move forward with proposed telecom changes.
2. Dale Klein –
 • This is piece meal and should be taken up with townwide zoning changes.
 • Disagree with substance & mixed use. 
 • Don’t agree with way treating property in that area.
 • Telecom provision may limit ability of town to grow. Wireless is coming in multiple forms. Physical constraints will limit where towers can go.
3. Darlene Martin –
 • Need to know more about changes. Proposal is confusing.
4. Aaron Weed –
 • Don’t see why there is a limit to not have commercial in Mixed Use district.
 • Square foot limits OK. 
 • Should not block development in Mixed Use area or make area residential. 
 • Would like to see the Interim zoning expire and zoning for area north of interstate revert to Industrial / Commercial. 
 • The boundaries before were good. 
 • Not opposed to restriction on big box development in area.
5. Fred McCullough –
 • Mixed Use proposal is spot zoning. 
 • More uses should be permitted instead of conditional uses or not allowed at all. 
 • Change structure to prohibit what uses are not wanted instead of only allowing permitted & conditional uses.
 • Mixed Use area should be Industrial. Town needs more industrial land.
 • Uses in Mixed Use area too restricted
 • If don’t want big box stores in mixed use area, say so.
 • Regarding telecom provisions – concern about repeater distance & does this make sense. Should not have to climb tower to access repeater.
 • Good to have guidelines for telecom.
6. George Fox –
 • Has the town spoken with any telecom company about proposal?