A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to deliberating the potential rezoning of a property on Union Street from “Industrial A” to “Rural Residential.” This discussion highlighted concerns about flood risks, with one board member noting that the area’s propensity to flood rendered it unsuitable for industrial use, despite the property’s elevated house. The board deliberated on whether maintaining an industrial designation would allow for development diversity in the future. Ultimately, the board decided to affirm the zoning map as “Industrial A,” despite some opposition and concerns about flooding.

Another prominent topic involved the zoning amendment concerning parcels identified as 21-32-18. These parcels were proposed for changes from residential C and industrial A to better align with adjacent zones. The board discussed the area’s history, noting its past as a business district before a remapping in the 1980s. A board member suggested that mapping errors during the transition to a GIS system might have caused the current zoning inconsistencies. The board proposed splitting the zoning of these parcels to reflect their current use accurately, forwarding this recommendation to the city council.

The meeting also addressed the acceptance of Belvedere Gardens as a public road. The board acknowledged that the city had already been maintaining the area, which served as a crucial access point for four houses. A councilor emphasized the importance of formal recognition to facilitate necessary repairs and maintenance. The board agreed to make a positive recommendation to the City Council to accept Belvedere Gardens as a city street, supporting ongoing city services and infrastructure improvements.

Discussions transitioned to the potential rezoning of the Abner Gibbs school site, currently zoned for single-family homes. The board considered rezoning to allow multifamily housing, aligning with community needs for affordable housing. There was also a proposal to expand commercial zoning, creating a “little commercial node” to complement residential developments. This approach aimed to preserve the historical significance of the Abner Gibbs building through adaptive reuse while addressing the community’s housing shortage.

The board reviewed proposed changes to regulations on family daycare uses, prompted by new state legislation. The board agreed to remove the special permit requirement, describing this as a compliance measure. With no public comments, the board unanimously adopted the proposed changes.

Later, the board examined special permit applications from Little River Plaza LLC for properties on East Main Street. The applicant sought approval for access through an adjoining lot and for offsite parking arrangements. The board discussed parking requirements for a Five Guys restaurant and a proposed bank within the plaza, emphasizing legal rather than physical changes. Both special permits were approved unanimously.