ERVING — New zoning policies that would apply uniquely to Erving’s industrial mills are being considered as part of a full review of the town’s zoning rules.
Establishment of the new policies is meant to coincide with the town’s efforts to redevelop the defunct International Paper mill on Papermill Road, which has been empty since 2001, and which the town took ownership of in 2014, on the basis of unpaid taxes.
The Planning Board expects to prepare any zoning changes in time to be approved at Annual Town Meeting in the spring of 2021.
Along with the industrial mills, policies on housing development are also a major area of interest, said Planning Assistant Mariah Kurtz.
However, the full scope of the policy review is not totally determined yet, as discussions only began in earnest during a Planning Board meeting last week.
Planning Board Chair Jacquie Boyden mentioned that the idea of a major review of zoning policies had been briefly discussed by the board earlier this year, but was somewhat derailed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The three mills in Erving — Erving Industries, Renovators Supply Manufacturing and the former International Paper mill — currently are not subject to any special standards, Kurtz said. They are treated the same as any other building in the zoning bylaws.
But, Kurtz said, mills are unique because they are so much larger than other developments in Erving, and their purpose is so much different. Establishing specialized standards for mills would clarify potential development issues that are unique to industrial mills, without requiring a developer to work with the town for a variance, she said.
“We want to look at more specific rules because those are such specific uses,” Kurtz explained.
As the town seeks to redevelop the former International Paper mill, Kurtz said the hope is that mill-specific rules will make for a smoother process.
The Selectboard expects to start soliciting options for redevelopment as soon as this winter, but does not necessarily expect to select one immediately. Administrative Coordinator Bryan Smith has noted the Selectboard wants to retain some control over how the property is redeveloped, and would reject proposals that do not suit the town’s development goals.
Among developers, there is at least some interest in the property already. Kurtz mentioned there has been “a slow but steady stream” of developers who have contacted the town about the property.
In the meantime, the town is slowly working to make the property more attractive for redevelopment. This spring, the Selectboard contracted for hazardous materials abatement, and Kurtz said the town will likely continue to apply for grant funding to improve the property until a developer is committed to the project.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.