I’m addressing the Special Election for a Zoning Ordinance ONLY for the Town of Davis on June 8, 2024.
“Zoning” angers many. The Planning Commission of the Town of Davis has been working on this document for 16 months. It could not be addressed until a Comprehensive Plan was adopted for the Town which occurred in early 2023. We have written, rewritten, and adapted sections of the proposed Ordinance with open meetings for Town residents to discuss issues; few residents attended.
A petition, signed by 71 persons in Davis, asked residents if the Town Council SHOULD have the power to adopt the Zoning Ordinance or be DECIDED by the residents.
As a Planning Commission member since 2017, I want residents to understand why it would be Favorable to accept.
Davis is not the same Town it was 50 years ago, 20 years ago, not even 10 years ago. Opportunities for employment have decreased in many areas, young people have moved away, and residents are mostly low–to–middle income families. Tourism is important and we welcome visitors, but we need to preserve what we can of Our Community.
Many homes are older, lived in by family members, or owned by family members living elsewhere. Several buildings have been purchased and turned into Short Term Rentals.
The Planning Commission found it necessary to divide the Town into Districts as a result of the changes rapidly occurring in our Community.
These Districts are:
- Single Family Residential
- Town Residential
- Recreational
- Central Business
- Commercial
- Industrial
Detailed Zoning Maps are at the Town Hall/Meeting Room showing districts. The Ordinance includes District maps and many informational definitions for the public.
My goal: to help residents understand WHAT and WHY we encourage acceptance of this Ordinance.
The document will address the future with minimal amendments. Most important issues are threefold:
- 24 Short Term Rentals are in the Town of Davis; many are within the residential area. The Commission determined that total to remain at 24;
NO additional Short-Term Rentals in the Residential District. Short-Term Rentals are also in Central Business and Commercial Districts.
In a Summary of Davis Survey (06/2022), 69% of 147 Respondents Encouraged A Zoning Ordinance to Protect Residential Areas.
- Zoning Ordinance would control Signage throughout the Community.
- Zoning Ordinance would minimize Businesses within the Residential areas. Summary of Survey (06/2022), 54%of 14 7 Respondents Encouraged Limiting Businesses From Operating in Residential Areas.
Eligible Residents within the Town of Davis have a voice to have control within our Town.
If you vote NO for Ordinance:
- Short-Term Rentals will be on every Street/Avenue with inadequate parking. The Town will have no control.
- Businesses can be established on every Street/Avenue.
- Signage/Billboards could be erected on every Street/Avenue.
Remember:
- our Community existed with Common Courtesy where you knew your neighbors;
- you could discuss any property line issues with your neighbor;
- neighborhoods were peaceful with Quiet Time from
11:00 p.m. to 7:00 am.
Vote YES on Zoning Ordinance. Jeannette Tekavec Ware
