NEWBURY — The town's oldest subdivision could be receiving special attention at next year's Town Meeting.
The Planning Board is seeking public comment on a proposal to change the zoning in the Montgomery Park neighborhood from agricultural/residential to residential.
The board will hold a public workshop on the proposed rezoning on Nov. 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Town Hall.
Any rezoning would have to be approved at Town Meeting, usually held in May, and would require a two-thirds majority to be adopted.
Town Planner Martha Taylor said the change, if implemented, would not affect the Mongomery Park Farm on Morgan Avenue. The farm, which breeds Saanen dairy goats, would be considered a pre-existing nonconforming use.
Rather, the bylaw change is intended to recognize that Montgomery Park's density is greater than any other part of town.
The neighborhood consists of relatively small house lots clustered around a half-dozen short streets. Most of Newbury's houses are in agricultural/residential districts that require one-acre tracts.
"The purpose is to recognize that it's different," Taylor said. "We want to get away from one-size-fits-all zoning.
Montgomery Park was laid out in September 1897 by Boston developer Jonathan Bartlett, according to a map in the assessors' office.
The original plan shows 135 lots — most of 4,200 to 5,000 square feet, although a couple were over 7,000 — on Morgan Avenue, Graham Avenue, South Pond Street, Withington Street and Kingsford Street. Many of the house lots are larger now.
The zoning proposal encompasses about 80 house lots on the original streets and on Fairview Avenue and Anchor Way, according to a map in the planning office at Town Hall. It borders the Upper Green Commercial District, which was enacted at last May's Town Meeting.
Taylor said the Planning Board is interested in hearing from residents about uses that should be allowed in a new residential zone.
She said the board is leaning toward setting the district lot size at 20,000 square feet and the frontage requirement at 100 feet. She said setback requirements haven't been finalized.
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
NC Police: Mom Injects Chemical Into Baby's IV
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3%
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
