The Winthrop Town Council will consider proposed language for revisions to the town’s Westernization code as it applies to W-3 commercial zoning, at its Nov. 7 meeting.
Council member Kirsten Vanderhalf, who was part of an ad hoc committee appointed by the council to review the Westernization ordinance’s regulations for solar arrays in the W-3 district, said at last week’s meeting that the proposed language will reflect consensus the committee earlier arrived at. The committee recommended that:
• Solar panels could be allowed in the W-3 district on new construction as long as it’s not visible from either Highway 20 or White Avenue.
• For existing businesses, solar power additions would need to be submitted for approval by the Westernization Design Review Board (WDRB), also with visibility considerations.
• In all Westernization districts, all town-owned properties and projects should follow Westernization codes and guidelines.
Those ideas were discussed at a public meeting on Aug. 22, where Vanderhalf noted that “strong Westernization supporters showed up.”
“If you invite everyone, you have to go with what you hear from those who attend,” Vanderhalf said at last week’s council meeting.
The W-3 discussions originated several months ago when a proposal to amend the Westernization code to more broadly allow solar panels in the W-3 district came before the WDRB and the Planning Commission. No action has been taken on that proposal, which drew considerable public comment both supporting and opposing the amendment.
The Westernization code currently exempts town properties — such as the Winthrop Rink and Winthrop Barn — from its requirements. That has rankled some Westernization supporters, who say the town should set the example and not be the exception. The cost of converting existing buildings to meet Westernization requirements has been cited as the reason the town has exempted itself from the code provisions.
At last week’s meeting, council member Ben Nelson, who was on the ad hoc committee with Vanderhalf, said the town’s commitment to conforming to Westernization requirements would be seen as a big step symbolically.
Town Planner Rocklynn Culp said the town takes the Westernization code seriously, but town projects are different in scope and have other requirements that affect how they look and operate.
“We want to comply,” Culp said, “but it’s a practical consideration for the town.”
On the ad hoc committee were Nelson, Vanderhalf, Jacque Wilk of the WDRB, Planning Commission member Teri Parker, alternative energy consultant Mark Crum and Rita Kenny, co-owner of Winthrop Mountain Sports.
Any action to amend the existing Westernization ordinance would be subject to public hearings before a Town Council decision.
After several resignations earlier this year, the WDRB membership still stands at three. But four members are needed for a quorum. Mayor Sally Ranzau has tried for several weeks to find new members for the board, so far unsuccessfully.
“It’s a big issue and I don’t know quite what to do about it,” the mayor said.
The aftermath of controversy over the solar array issue has left “a bad taste,” Vanderhalf said. “It’s had a bad taste for a long time.”
The Planning Commission is currently handling WDRB business.
