Zoning, and enforcement thereof, are amongst the primary functions of local government but the issues stemming therefrom are some of the most complicated faced by residents and local officials alike. At the heart of most disagreements is the age-old conflict between individual and community rights. Put another way, “it’s my land and I can do what I want to,” versus, “how can you allow that guy to disrupt our neighborhood?” And sins of the past, like sub-standard or non-existent planning, only exacerbate present challenges. A good example in our community are industrial lands that abut residential areas. The latter tend to be noisy, the former tend to seek peace and quiet, and the lack of a commercial- or park-land buffer results in a plethora of hard feelings.
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