Newton
P&Z worries about water for new development
By Molly Farmer
January 27, 2006 | NEWTON -- Commissioners discussed
potential water issues surrounding future development
of the town and kennel-owner conditional use permit
procedures at a Zoning and Planning meeting Thursday.
The three commission members present examined an aerial
picture of the city provided by Jed Woodward, a city
councilman and lone audience member. Marie Bird, commission
chairwoman, said she estimated 185 potential 1/2-acre
lots available within city limits.
"I'm not sure that we have enough water for 185 lots,"
Bird said.
Commissioner Jeff Watkins asked if it was possible
to deny building permits to persons on the basis of
lack of water; the commission agreed it wasn't possible
and moved to recount and mark the number of potential
lots on the picture taken Jan 24.
"I think if we're going to make an estimate for the
future, we'll go worst case," Watkins said when the
commission was unsure whether lots with barns on them
should be counted. The commissioners decided against
counting potential inter-block lots, however, on the
basis of water.
Watkins estimated 74,000 gallons per day of water
would be needed if homes were built on all the potential
lots. The commission remained unsure of whether or not
the water supply could support that. Watkins said it
would be beneficial to have an engineer come and determine
the city's capabilities before any future developers
come to Newton.
The commission also discussed procedures surrounding
issuing conditional use permits to kennel owners with
three or more dogs. As it currently stands, kennel owners
express to the commission their desire to have a conditional
use permit, and then letters are sent out to the kennel-owner's
neighbors to get feedback concerning the dogs before
a permit is issued.
Lisa Draper, a new resident of Newton with five dogs,
came to the meeting to clarify how to obtain a conditional
use permit. Her confusion resulted in discussion of
procedures surrounding conditional use permits for dog
kennels.
Watkins said there's a need for "a mechanical-procedure
that is clear and easy to follow."
The commission also discussed appointing a new chairperson.
Bird, the chairwoman for the past year, said it's standard
for commissioners to be on the board for five years,
and the chairperson is supposed to serve for one year.
With her term fulfilled, she suggested appointing a
new one but decided to wait until the two absent commissioners
were present.
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