Resident believes strict enforcement of zoning ordinances could hurt local economy

Saratoga resident Royce Kelley read a letter to the Town Council at its meeting Tuesday in response to a motion approved by the Planning Commission at its Dec. 11 meeting to require a special use permit from individuals cutting and selling firewood in residential zones.

At the Planning Commission meeting, zoning officer Chuck Bartlett had asked the board’s opinion on cutting and selling firewood in town and resident Andy Van Tol complained about what he described as “basically an industrial type operation on residential property.”

The property Van Tol referenced is owned by Kelley.

At the council meeting, Kelley said all home occupations require site plan approvals before special use permits can be issued, and suggested the Planning Commission verify all home occupations in town are compatible with the ordinances.

“I believe that if the Town of Saratoga strictly enforces these zoning ordinances, it will create an extreme hardship on the town and citizens that are trying to survive in this economic environment,” Kelley said.

Kelley wants the current ordinances changed to allow existing home businesses that are noncompliant under current zoning ordinances.

“I believe once the investigation is done, we will find there are a large number of other instances that are noncompliant, from Avon sales to yard maintenance, and if this is true then these ordinances are not being applied equally if (those businesses) are not also issued letters of noncompliance,” Kelley said.

Councilman Steve Wilcoxson said many of the ordinances are not right for the community and he has been suggesting the Planning Commission make some changes.

“If you strictly follow what (the ordinances are) then there is not very much you can do,” Wilcoxson said, “so I think that what Royce is saying is correct.”

Kelley requested the council instruct the zoning officer to hold off on sending the letters until the council has a chance to review the zoning ordinances and decides whether to modify them, but Wilcoxson said once a property or activity is determined to be noncompliant, enforcement procedures cannot be stopped.

Councilwoman Judy Welton recognized the shooting victims in Connecticut and expressed sympathy for the victims’ families.

“I don’t know if it is appropriate, but somehow I would like to know what the policy is for security in our schools,” Welton said. “I think the council would probably like to know that also just as a matter of information.”

Welton said the council would seek information on school security next month after the holiday season.

The next Saratoga Town Council meeting will be Jan. 2, at 6 p.m.