Bedford Beware - Zoning Rights In Jeapordy - Granite Grok

Bedford Beware – Zoning Rights In Jeapordy

c/o Granite State Futures Blog

By SUSAN CLARK
Union Leader Correspondent

BEDFORD — Voters may be asked to allow the Town Council to rule on which zoning amendments will become town law in the future, without amendment proposals going on the ballot.

The change in the zoning ordinance process was first brought to voters in March 2010 but was rejected. That proposal had been recommended by the town’s Economic Development Committee in 2009. If the Town Council and the Planning Board agree to put a similar zoning amendment on the March 2014 ballot, voters would be asked to authorize the Town Council to approve future zoning amendments, which is within the council’s purview under state law and the Bedford Town Charter, said Town Manager Jessie Levine.

Never…(ever) give up your right to vote on zoning changes to any board, committee, or regional planners.  Never.

If you need some incentive, have a listen to Westchester County NY Commissioner on what happened to the zoning rights after they county embraced susainable develpment – very likley without residents having a vote on that decision either.  (Short audio)

Commissioner Rob Astorino  (Audio 9m – But you’ll be hooked after the first 30 seconds.)

 

Full video here.

>