China Planners prep for comp plan update and possible proposed land use amendments

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members used their Feb. 27 meeting to continue preparations for updating China’s comprehensive plan and to work on possible amendments to the town’s land use ordinance.

An article in the warrant for the March 24 town business meeting asks voters to appropriate up to $22,000 from either unassigned fund balance (formerly called surplus) or the Tax Increment Financing fund, if appropriate, to develop and implement a revised town comprehensive plan. The money would be spent mostly for a professional consultant’s services.

The budget committee unanimously endorsed the expenditure.

China’s present plan is valid through the summer of 2020. Planning Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo said at earlier meetings that an update is not required, but municipalities without valid plans are disadvantaged in various ways, including losing points on applications for state grants.

There are already a small number of applicants to serve on a new Comprehensive Planning Committee. Board members hope to recruit more at town meeting. Volunteers should call the town office.

Reviewing a section of the definitions in the land use ordinance, board members found that most seem satisfactory; a few clarifications were recommended.

Any changes in the ordinance will need voters’ approval. There are no proposed ordinance amendments on the March 24 meeting warrant.

The next regular planning board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 13.