Southwick Planning Board Adopts 2040 Master Plan Amid Zoning Debates

Overview: The Southwick Planning Board has adopted the 2040 master plan, a forward-looking document intended to guide the town’s development over the next two decades. Among the topics during the meeting were proposed changes to non-conforming structures regulations, developments on Hudson Drive solar facility, and the establishment of a restaurant at the former Pioneer Berry site. Moreover, the meeting covered the Oak Ridge Custom Home Builders Inc.’s subdivision plan, proposed Oakd Estates subdivision, and potential zoning bylaw amendments affecting lot requirements.

Southwick Considers Dollar General Store

Overview: The Southwick Planning Board’s recent meeting brought to the forefront residents’ concerns over the proposed introduction of a Dollar General store to the area, with discussions focusing on the potential impact on community aesthetics, property values, and local infrastructure. The development’s compliance with regulatory requirements such as setback, stormwater management, and emergency service access was clarified by the petitioner amidst public debate.

Southwick Planning Board Tackles Non-Conforming Structures and Campground Regulations

Overview: The Southwick Planning Board meeting on March 12, 2024, was marked by in-depth discussions on proposed changes to zoning regulations, particularly focusing on non-conforming structures and lots, as well as detailed deliberations on a draft commercial recreation bylaw amendment impacting the South L Street Campground. The proposed changes to non-conforming structures included extending the completion timeframe for reconstruction after a catastrophe and allowing for changes in the structure’s footprint subject to planning board review. The board also debated the implications of allowing non-conforming uses or structures to revert to prior non-conforming status. Additionally, the meeting addressed the need for flexibility in lot sizes and density for housing development and considered the master plan’s incorporation into zoning regulations.