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July 17. 2012 11:39PM
Church zoning hearing Wednesday night
DERRY — The Planning Board is holding a public hearing Wednesday night on a proposed change to the town zoning ordinance that would keep churches out of the Industrial 4 zone.
The Town Council recently approved a change in the town’s Industrial 4 district allowing a greater variety of commercial and retail businesses in the zone. According to George Sioras, the town’s planning director, the change more accurately reflects the type of business already allowed in the district and lessens the need for the Zoning Board to grant variances.
The Industrial 4 zone encompasses the town’s TIF district that includes the Hannaford Plaza, the site of the new Super Walmart, and a number of other retail and commercial establishments along Route 28. The current zoning ordinance has been on the books since the 1970s.
Town Administrator John Anderson recommended prohibiting churches from the district because churches are exempt from taxes and the TIF district relies upon tax revenues to pay off construction bonds. Anderson also noted that churches and nonprofits are allowed in every other zoning district in Derry.
Town counsel agreed that the zoning change would be legal provided the other districts did allow churches.
The proposed zoning change would not affect churches already in the Industrial 4 zone.
In other business tonight, the Planning Board is also holding a public hearing on rezoning the Webster’s Corner section of East Derry from general commercial to office/medical/business.
The proposed change would affect 26 properties within the area of Humphrey Road to the border of the existing General Commercial III zone at Rockingham Road, Island Pond Road and Route 28.
A zoning change could help pave the way for higher-end development in that section of town, according to Sioras.
The proposed zoning change is being done in conjunction with a $4 million public sewer and water expansion project in the district.
According to Sioras, the zoning change will not limit the commercial and retail uses currently allowed under the Webster’s Corner general/commercial zoning.
The Planning Board meeting begins at 7 p.m at the Derry Municipal Center.
Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
The Town Council recently approved a change in the town’s Industrial 4 district allowing a greater variety of commercial and retail businesses in the zone. According to George Sioras, the town’s planning director, the change more accurately reflects the type of business already allowed in the district and lessens the need for the Zoning Board to grant variances.
The Industrial 4 zone encompasses the town’s TIF district that includes the Hannaford Plaza, the site of the new Super Walmart, and a number of other retail and commercial establishments along Route 28. The current zoning ordinance has been on the books since the 1970s.
Town Administrator John Anderson recommended prohibiting churches from the district because churches are exempt from taxes and the TIF district relies upon tax revenues to pay off construction bonds. Anderson also noted that churches and nonprofits are allowed in every other zoning district in Derry.
Town counsel agreed that the zoning change would be legal provided the other districts did allow churches.
The proposed zoning change would not affect churches already in the Industrial 4 zone.
In other business tonight, the Planning Board is also holding a public hearing on rezoning the Webster’s Corner section of East Derry from general commercial to office/medical/business.
The proposed change would affect 26 properties within the area of Humphrey Road to the border of the existing General Commercial III zone at Rockingham Road, Island Pond Road and Route 28.
A zoning change could help pave the way for higher-end development in that section of town, according to Sioras.
The proposed zoning change is being done in conjunction with a $4 million public sewer and water expansion project in the district.
According to Sioras, the zoning change will not limit the commercial and retail uses currently allowed under the Webster’s Corner general/commercial zoning.
The Planning Board meeting begins at 7 p.m at the Derry Municipal Center.
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Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
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