They are still at it. I really dont get the point. Rich Parker Greenfield NH
Monadnock Ledger-Transcript 03/10/2011, Page 5 GREENFIELD Approved amendment adds rules for takeoffs Town previously rejected more restrictive regulations BY NICK MARTIN Monadnock Ledger-Transcript GREENFIELD ? Voters passed a zoning amendment that puts limitations on vertical takeoffs and landings, after rejecting a similar, but more restrictive article six months ago. The zoning question to limit use of helicopters first appeared on the ballot in September, where voters turned it down by a 213 No to 188 Yes vote. After the article was defeated, the Planning Board reviewed the wording and decided to make it less restrictive. Instead of banning all vertical takeoffs and landings in town, the article that voters passed Tuesday will allow the activity in the Rural Agricultural Zone, General Residence Zone and Industrial Overlay District, but only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The article also requires a buffer zone, meaning that aircraft cannot take off or land within 250 feet of a neighboring landowner?s property line. The amendment does not apply for emergency operations, such as a medical or police helicopter, and the Planning Board retains the authority to grant a special exception for other uses. The loosened restrictions were enough to convince the majority of voters to pass the article this time around by a vote of 179 in favor to 128 against. The Planning Board began considering an amendment after a group of residents raised the question about the legality of helicopter takeoffs and landings in town last summer. Some of the concerns came from neighbors of Gould Hill Road resident Rick Parker, who said he thought the ordinance was aimed specifically at preventing him from landing a helicopter on his property. Non-emergency helicopter landings in Greenfield were prohibited following the conditional approval of the ordinance from June until the original proposed amendment failed in mid-September. The man who was the original focus of the amendment said Wednesday he hasn?t followed the zoning amendment?s track through the Planning Board since a similar article failed last September. Parker said he wasn?t even aware the amendment was on the ballot Tuesday. The amendment passed Tuesday would not eliminate Parker from taking off, or landing a helicopter, because his property is within the general residence zone, he said. It would, however, restrict when he could fly, a limitation Parker said wasn?t a problem. ?I don?t think it is a big issue. I meet the set-back requirements and landing at night isn?t an option anyway,? Parker said Wednesday. Voters also approved two other zoning amendments Tuesday. Amendment 2 allows for the construction of small power generating windmills, not for commercial use, in the Special Purpose district. Amendment 3 creates a special district for the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, and outlines what activities are allowed there. This amendment will reduce the need for the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center to apply for special exemptions under the town?s current ordinances, according to Planning Board members. Powered by TECNAVIA Copyright © 2011 Monadnock Ledger-Transcript 03/10/2011
