It looks like in Brian’s case they did vote and approve the revised maps.  In CT, most zoning maps date back to the late 1950’s.  They did their best to define these boundaries back in the day but, in the cases I have seen most often, these historic zoning maps are artistic renderings.  This provides a great deal of grey area and interpretation of zoning maps.  Since zoning has been and always will be a contentious issue, it is a place where legal limbo only serves to create uncertainty.   

 

I have found it particularly hard to discern historic zoning maps with the subsequent interpretations of surveyors working for a client.  When big dollars are involved, such as Brian’s case, it can be worth fighting for or having your own hired folks interpret the zoning boundary. 

 

Personally, I have seen a lot of effort put into trying to figure out town boundaries.  Connecticut fulfills it’s role of the Yankee State.  Interpretation of town boundary lines requires a lot of hard work digging into the bowels of a town’s records and often requires going to adjacent towns and even the legislature to properly define.  Not to mention the subsequent field work involved.

 

 

 

Brian,

 

While we digitized the zoning boundaries back in 1998, the official zoning maps are the 249 (plat based) 11”x17” paper maps, notarized by the Town Clerk.  Doesn’t matter what the GIS shows, it’s the paper maps that are official.  And yes, only the Town council can change the zoning boundaries.

 

Good luck with this!

 

Carol 

 

(f)  401 788-9792

 

So, you think your “routine” data edits aren’t that important? Think again! Back in January, I was asked by our Planning Department staff to correct an error that was introduced when our zoning district boundaries were first digitized nearly 12 years ago… And thus began a legal battle that likely won’t be resolved until sometime in 2015.

 

Full details of the situation are available here:  http://wellesley.wickedlocal.com/article/20140508/NEWS/140506614

 

Just curious… Anyone else have a similar story to share about an edit to data or maps that are considered “legal instruments” like our Zoning Map? How was your issue resolved?

 

Cheers,

Brian

 

Brian C. DuPont, GIS Manager

Town of Wellesley, MA

525 Washington Street

Wellesley, MA 02482

(p) 781-431-1019 x2289

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------- This list (NEARC-L) is an unmoderated discussion list for all NEARC Users.

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from this list, you can remove yourself by going to http://listserv.uconn.edu/nearc-l.html.

------------------------------------------------------------------------- This list (NEARC-L) is an unmoderated discussion list for all NEARC Users.

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from this list, you can remove yourself by going to http://listserv.uconn.edu/nearc-l.html.