ZONING & OPEN SPACE
Weston's historical 2-acre residential zoning and thousands of acres of protected open space is the character of the community. Restrictions have protected this character but have also limited re-investment in the aging commercial infrastructure and housing needs of the community. In response, the P&Z Commission in 2021 created the Village District (VD) and the Village District Restricted (VDR) to encourage a small amount of commercial development in the center of town.
Town Zoning
Weston is approximately 20.7 square miles in size (13,248 acres). The VD is approximately17.5 acres and the VDR is approximately 10.0 acres, both of which are located contiguous to Town Center.
The VD consists of approximately 6.0 acres of the existing Weston Shopping Center, approximately 3.0 acres that include the school bus garage and frontage on Route 57 owned by Weston Schools, 1.5 acres owned by the Town and used by Parks and Recreation, and 7.0 acres privately owned.
The VDR consists of approximately 10.0 acres contiguous and under common ownership with the Weston Shopping Center.
All other acreage in Weston is zoned residential 2 acres with some historic non-conforming lots, churches, farming, clubs, etc.
Less than 0.5% of Weston acreage is permitted for any type of commercial use.
Open Space
In 2020, Weston issued its plan of conservation and development (POCD). The report stated that approximately 29% of Weston's acres are dedicated parks, open space and conservation lands, giving it its unique rural character versus other more densely developed neighbors.
In addition, the POCD estimated the number of buildable homes on large open lots is only 27. When added to the few available 2-acre parcels, Weston has limited room to grow housing from its existing stock of approximately 3,500.
If residential housing is proposed in the VD or the VDR, zoning restrictions severely limit any material growth in units and protects the community from an unexpected drain on town resources.
Weston is rural by design and it will remain that way under any proposed development for the 176 Weston Road parcel.
Commercial Space
With only 27.5 of its 13,248 acres approved for any type of commercial development, Weston is not at risk of being commercially overdeveloped under existing zoning regulations. In addition, the town and schools own approximately 5.0 of those acres which leaves them in control of development.
Weston invests significantly in schools and public infrastructure to provide outstanding levels of service to the community. This same type of commitment is necessary (though not on the same scale) with commercial infrastructure to continue to meet the needs of the community. Letting commercial buildings and infrastructure deteriorate decreases property values, adds visual "eye sores", and impacts basic services most residents want on a local basis. As "work from home" and "two working parents" are now the norm and aging patterns, household size and demographics shift, our commercial infrastructure needs investment to adjust as well. A well-designed, thoughtful plan is an opportunity to meet the needs of the community with a character consistent approach and provide public service benefits, all without significant taxpayer funded costs.
