In the zone

The monthly West Marlborough Township planning commission meeting on Nov. 1 drew a bigger-than-usual crowd, many of them curious about an unsigned flier that had been circulated around the township criticizing some proposed changes to the township's zoning code.
The zoning changes, proposed by Neil Land, attorney for the Whip, would affect not only Springdell, where the bar and restaurant is located, but also the village of London Grove at Route 926 and Newark Road. Four new uses would be permitted in the village residential zone:

1. Restaurants (but not drive-through or fast-food ones)
2. Nightclubs and taverns
3. Offices
4. Parking

Mr. Land argued the changes would allow the Whip more flexibility to find additional parking areas in Springdell for its patrons. (The lack of sufficient parking has been an ongoing headache, both for Whip patrons and some of the neighbors.)
According to the flier, however, "This proposal is ill considered and will almost certainly result in unintended consequences which can only be negative...The proposed change is completely at odds with the way of life in West Marlborough and the adjoining area."
Joseph Huston, one of a group of Springdell neighbors who have complained for years that the Whip has a negative impact on their lives, and Kristin Camp, one of their attorneys, stood up at the meeting and reiterated the points made in the flier.
The few other residents who spoke seemed to be concerned that changing the zoning ordinance would be too broad an action to solve a problem that concerns one property (parking for the Whip). They said that the township's experience with the Whip has shown that having commercial developments on small lots in villages can lead to real problems, so why would we want more of it?
The author of the flier warned, darkly: "In light of the recent development and commercial uses of the former Thouron and young properties...it takes little imagination to foresee an interested party's purchasing affected properties and turning these villages into intense commercial zones."
The planning commission is expected to make a recommendation to the township supervisors, who will make the final decision on the proposed changes.