2 - Town of Colchester

Implementation
See the implementation chart
on page 114 for the priority
and the assignment of
responsibility
for
implementation of these
community character
strategies.
COMMUNITY CHARACTER STRATEGIES
Protect and Preserve Physical Character
1. Identify scenic views and scenic areas and amend local regulations to protect them.
2. Identify important ridgelines, steeply sloping hillsides, and rock outcrops and amend local regulations to protect
them.
3. When appropriate, retain stone walls, barns, significant trees, and other buildings and features in new development.
4. Encourage the Department of Transportation to designate State highways in Colchester as scenic roads.
5. Adopt a local scenic road ordinance and designate scenic roads while retaining the ability to make emergency repairs
and public safety improvements.
6. Continue to ensure that new buildings (except single-family dwellings) are compatible in scale and materials with
neighboring buildings, especially in the Town Center, by:
• establishing additional design review criteria or guidelines,
• enhancing and streamlining current design review procedures, or
• possibly establishing a Design Review Committee.
7. Protect and enhance other natural resources, open space, historic resources, the Town Center, and local facilities in
order to promote community character.
8. Investigate ways to bury utility cables in the Town Center and strive to accomplish this strategy over the long term.
9. Continue to encourage businesses, especially in the Town Center, to maintain the streetscape around their facilities
and provide facilities for litter.
10. Continue to encourage property maintenance, especially in the Town Center.
Promote Community Spirit
11. Continue to encourage local recognition, volunteer contributions, and local organizations, programs, and events in
order to promote community spirit.
12. Continue using the Park and Recreation Department to coordinate and schedule community social events, especially
on the Town Green, in order to build and maintain community pride and spirit.
13. Consider a program of recognizing:
• volunteers through an annual picnic, and
• other “hometown heroes” through a plaque at the Town Hall.
14. Encourage increased coordination among community groups to coordinate local events and enhance community
spirit.
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