I am writing today to add my voice to the overwhelming opposition to the proposed changes to the overlay district voiced on Thursday night. In spite of the planning board’s vote against the change, the issue has not been tabled and the council is plunging ahead with the decision. This decision is too big to push through without greater public awareness of and feedback on what is being proposed.
This puts us in the bad position of people having to simply take a position as completely for or completely against the proposal. As such, I am forced to oppose it.
There are many ways to expand Greenfield’s options for new business that don’t rely on divisive, sweeping measures and simply erecting a new cluster of gas stations or drive through eateries. Can we not first address filling with new businesses the numerous disused storefronts and commercial buildings blighting the town? I don’t think some additional businesses along the French King corridor would necessarily be a terrible thing, but before we open up that area to new development, something must be done to either occupy or remove disused retail space.
Benjamin Miner
Greenfield