The Planning Board’s public forum on July 16 brought an estimated 120-130 people to Anderson Hall to hear a presentation and then to offer comments on the proposed rezoning of Route 28 in the area of Wolfeboro Center (the intersection of Route 109 from Brookfield). Some 20 people eventually spoke during the session, with one person offering unqualified support for the current form of the plan and the remainder of the speakers indicating a range of opinions from concern to outright opposition.
Among the views expressed:
- Concern for the possible impact of expanded commercial/retail establishments on nearby residential neighborhoods. In particular, speakers expressed concern about the potential for increased traffic and noise as well as light pollution. Property owners from Kenney Shore on Lake Wentworth were joined by residents of Allen Road and Route 28.
- Fear that runoff from large new structures — up to 6000 square feet in area — and accompanying parking areas would threaten the water quality of Lake Wentworth and downstream surface waters such as Crescent Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee.
- A steady stream of comment expressing concern that the current plan’s 50-foot buffer from the Cotton Valley Trail is far from adequate to protect the trail from the visual intrusion of commercial development.
- Criticism that the stormwater management regulations that are intended to become part of the zoning ordinance fail to ensure that structures built to manage runoff lack adequate operation and maintenance requirements, possibly rendering them ineffective in the long run.
- A fear that increased traffic would make already dangerous intersections such as Route 28 and Whitten Neck Road even more hazardous.
In the end, various speakers urged the Planning Board to eliminate some of the more onerous potential uses of the two C2 (commercial) zoning districts and to consider a more limited set of available uses for the area. These included:
- Single detached dwelling
- Duplex dwelling
- Accessory home occupation
- Accessory structure
- Conversion of a permitted use to another permitted use and no changes to the
exterior of the building or parking is required - Accessory use
- Bed and Breakfast
- Artisan’s studio
- Antique shop
- Museum
- Professional office
- Library
The following uses were recommended for approval by special exception:
- Cultural arts facility
- Educational institution
- Recreational use
The public was invited to provide additional comments in writing to the board. These can be sent either by e-mail to wolftwnplnr@metrocast.net or to the Planning Board at:
PO Box 629
9 Union Street
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
Planners indicated that another public forum will be held in the future.