The Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting minutes
(amended unapproved) of January 23, 2023: https://www.middlebury-ct.org/
MINUTES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Monday, January 23, 2023
Page 4
RESOLUTION FOR A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Commission (the "EDC") is constituted to encourage balanced smart economic development in Middlebury, review architectural consistency, and recommend tax incentives where appropriate.
WHEREAS, the Town of Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission is considering a proposal that would change the zoning ordinances as follows: January 5, 2023 Meeting: Application for text amendments of Sections 9.1 Definitions to add Distribution Facilities, 42.1 Permitted Uses to add Distribution Facilities as a permitted use, 42.2.4 Height of Buildings adding warehouses and distribution facilities not to exceed fifty feet to the current language.
WHEREAS, members of the Economic Development Commission (the “EDC”) have been contacted by a wide array of Middlebury property owners, homeowners, residents and constituent electors and taxpayers of the town regarding the proposed text change that would benefit one property in a commercial zone immediately adjacent to several neighborhoods; the proposed change would intensify the use of the commercial property and conduct of business beyond what is currently provided in the existing commercial zone.
WHEREAS, the new use would strain the local road infrastructure and impact the peaceful enjoyment of the residents of the immediate neighborhoods and the general conduct of life in town.
WHEREAS, the existing former use was a sensitive and consistent approach to development that was in concert with the adjacent residential development that occurred over time. This reality cannot be dismissed solely based on a permitted zone and simply adding provisions to increase intensity of use.
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission should also respect that the town has other zones that will not impact neighborhoods in the same way and are better suited to accommodate the commercial intensity, infrastructure needs, and traffic attendant to the proposal currently under consideration.
WHEREAS, the Commission should consider that such a text change may result in other unintended consequences in similar commercial zones elsewhere in town.
WHEREAS, the Economic Development Commission (the "EDC") maintains that as the town's growth continues the EDC must recognize not just the desire for economic development and added value to the grand list to occur in such zones, but that such development needs to occur with a comprehensive approach and understanding of other residential and commercial development as it has evolved to date in such areas.
