>The recently defeated “no downtown financial institutions” ordinance will reappear in revised form and expanded to encompass “limited downtown non-retail use.” That is, the Village Council will seek to discourage any use downtown except traditional retail.
Street lighting in the central business district will soon be upgraded through a phased plan. Plans call for replacement of all light poles, globes, and bulbs. The Historic Preservation Commission has asked that poles in a two block area surrounding the train station not be replaced. Duh? Isn’t that where street lighting is needed the most due to higher pedestrian traffic headed to and from the station?
Future commercial development in the Route 17 corridor will be encouraged. It is believed that although this area is now zoned residential, there is minimal interest in building residences right on the highway.
It was suggested that a comprehensive plan be developed to change permitted land uses along Franklin Avenue between Maple Avenue and North Broad Street. This would be done to promote more pedestrian traffic along the street.
It was agreed that steps need to be taken to control the unlawful sprawl of sidewalk cafes in the central business district. Cited were seats placed in excess of permitted numbers, the unlawful placement of furniture, and non-permitted signage.
There was much discussion regarding the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s routine granting of variances permitting residence sizes in excess of ordinance limits. Village Council members were clearly upset by this trend.