Robbinston eyes subdivision moratorium

Robbinston residents will consider a six-month moratorium on any new subdivisions in the town during the annual town meeting on Monday, March 29. A preliminary proposal for a 44-lot high-end housing development at Howard Lake, called Merriwood Sustainable Community, was initially brought forward to the town's planning board last year. While a formal plan has not yet been presented to the board, another meeting was expected this spring.
The town warrant article for a moratorium ordinance regarding subdivisions notes the interest expressed by developers "in developing hundreds of acres of woodland into a community of 50 or more high-end 'luxury' homes, and the town reasonably anticipates that interest in other large developments could soon follow." The article cites the inadequacy of the town's existing subdivision ordinance and the lack of a growth management program along with questions concerning the environmental, health and safety impacts on the town.
The emergency ordinance would impose an immediate moratorium on the development of subdivisions and would remain in effect for 180 days. The purpose of the moratorium would be to provide the town with time to "review the potential adverse impacts that may be caused by the development of subdivisions and to develop, consider and enact ordinances and/or amendments to mitigate any such impacts on the town, its residents and visitors."
The town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the former Robbinston Elementary School. The 30 other articles deal with appropriations and other town matters, not including the school budget, which will be considered at a special town meeting later in the year.
Before the town meeting, residents will vote on town officials beginning at 12:45 p.m. The town officials standing for election for a one-year term are all unopposed. They are incumbents Warren "Tom" Moholland, first selectman; Jonathan Stanhope, second selectman; Kevin Murray, third selectman; Earle Stanhope Jr., road commissioner; Cathy Footer, tax collector; Cathy Footer, treasurer; and Martha Brickett, town clerk. Kathy Benson is running unopposed for a three-year school board seat.