We, the members of the Calais Planning Commission, ask for and need your help to send a loud and thunderous message to the Selectboard to:
1. Allow you, the citizens and property owners of Calais, to vote on the proposed Town Plan; and
2. Remove, reduce, or allow text changes to the extreme 13 regulatory directives in the Natural Resource section of the proposed Town Plan, and make it more in line with community building and compassion for people.
Please come to the Selectboard’s Public Hearing on Monday, October 5, 7 p.m. at the Town Hall (where we used hold town meeting).
State law allows the Selectboard to determine who will approve a town plan and zoning – the selectboard or voters. Years ago the Selectboard decided they would approve the town plan because it was aspirational and did not affect the rights of property owners. Zoning, they decided, did impact on property owners’ rights and, therefore, we the people vote on changes to zoning at town meeting.
The proposed town plan has “regulatory” directives, increasingly looked for by courts. These directives have the same impact as zoning. We strongly believe that, like zoning, you need to vote on them because they may affect your property rights. It is your right as a resident of Calais to vote on any regulation that could affect you.
The 13 “regulatory” directives at the end of the Natural Resource section (p. 83 & 84) of the proposed town plan is directed at relatively large developments as they relate to Act 250 and the Public Service Board. They are broad and sweeping with no information to justify them. We are unable to complete an impact report as required by state law. Additionally, the Planning Commission would have to write zoning regulations not just for Act 250 applicants but for all property owners to enforce these directives. The Selectboard has repeatedly chosen to ignore these requirements. We can surmise that the 13 directives will have a potential negative impact on many, many land parcels and on your rights as property owners.
You may view the proposed town plan and our summary impact report at the town’s website: calasivermont.gov.
We ask for your participation. Don’t let a small number of people decide what you can and can’t do with your property. Let your voice be heard loud and clear at the Public Hearing on Monday!
Jack Russell, Chair, Calais Planning Commission
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