Voters are being asked on the March 4 ballot to accept or reject proposed changes to the Town Plan. Approving the changes would allow new zoning to be put into place for the Saxon Hill area.

On Thursday, Feb. 13, the Selectboard and Planning Commission will host an information session about the proposed Town Plan amendments. The meeting will be held in the Essex High School auditorium, and begins at 7 p.m.

The zoning changes would affect the Resource Preservation District – Industrial (RPD-I) zoning district and the adjacent Kimo property. Currently, the RPD-I district consists of land zoned for industrial use and conservation/recreation, and the Kimo property consists of industrially zoned land. Residential development in the RPD-I district is currently prohibited. Under the proposed zoning changes, the RPD-I and Kimo properties would be combined to form the Saxon Hill zoning district, which would consist of land zoned for industrial and residential development and for conservation/recreation. The conservation/recreation land would include 300 acres of public property conveyed to the Town by the current landowner.

In addition to the public information session, a two-page document of Frequently Asked Questions provides summarized information about the proposal: http://www.essex.org/vertical/sites/%7B60B9D552-E088-4553-92E3-EA2E9791E5A5%7D/uploads/Propo[...]pdf

Residents can learn more about the proposal on the Town’s website, www.essex.org (search for “Saxon Hill” or follow the links “Town Departments” --> “Community Development” --> “Saxon Hill Information”).

Community Development staff is also available to answer questions about the proposed Town Plan and zoning changes. Please call 878-1343 or visit the Town Offices at 81 Main St.