Spear Property Subject of Public Meeting
by Gail Callahan

It’s quickly becoming the talk of Charlotte — residents will get to tell town officials next week about a proposed change to Charlotte’s land-use regulations.
The proposal to change the town’s land-use regulations stems from the Spear family’s request to allow a retail store and to reduce the setback from the Route 7 right-of-way from 100 feet to 20 feet. The discussion will take place on Monday at 7:45 p.m. at the Charlotte Town Hall.
The Spear family has owned the property since about 1950, said “Bid” Spear. He referred questions about the land and the meeting to his son-in-law, Gary Farnsworth.
According to Farnsworth, the family participated in discussions for most of this year with the Charlotte Planning Commission and the board about the use of the land. Right now the town’s existing zoning laws do not permit a retail operation on the east side of Route 7 in the town’s West Village area. Selectboard Chairman Charles Russell said town officials understood that the Spear family would like to open a convenience store on the property. Retail space in that section of Route 7 is currently not allowed because town officials want to keep the area commerce free, Russell said.
“The town is working with the petition to change zoning regulations to the property,” said Russell. “The Planning Commission evaluated the (request from the Spear family) and passed the language onto the Board of Selectmen.”
In addition to the public meeting next week, Russell indicated town officials would likely hold another townwide forum to discuss the proposed changes later in the fall. An Australian ballot question, which would allow voters to have their say on the changes, would likely be held in November, Russell said. He didn’t mention a timetable for the vote.
“We’re trying to work with the Spears,” said Russell, who dismissed the notion that there was a dispute pitting the Spears against town officials.
If the proposed changes to the zoning regulations are approved by Charlotte voters, land falling in the Village Commercial District on Route 7’s east side in the West Charlotte Village will be affected.
The full text of the proposed amendment is available at the Charlotte Town Hall or can be viewed on line at the town’s website, charlottevt.org.