Sept. 9. By Dave Vieser. A procedural change which would take some approval power out of the hands of the Town Board may be headed for approval. Under the proposal, subdivisions with fewer than 25 lots would be allowed “by right” as long as all other planning requirements are met. Currently, any developments with more than four lots require town board approval.

“We’ve been working closely with developers and landowners over the last year with regard to our subdivision approval process,” Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron said at last night’s Town Board meeting. “We wanted to get the town board’s feedback prior to submitting this change formally.”

“This change makes total sense to me,” said Commissioner Mike Miltich. “We certainly can place trust in our planning staff.”

The planning board is scheduled to address the measure during their Monday Sept. 14 meeting. If they approve, it could be on the Town Board’s agenda as soon as Sept. 21. The town Land Development Code Advisory Board (LDCAB) had previously voted 8-0 in favor of the change, but they only play an advisory role.

The new category would be known as a Major-Standard Subdivision, covering proposals of more than four but less than 25 lots. Projects of four lots or less would continue to have staff level review while those with 25 or more lots would still require Town Board level approval.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

—The commissioners approved moving the starting time for the remainder of the 2020 meetings to 6 pm rather than 7 pm. “The time change is to start a little earlier so the meetings do not end at a late hour,” said Town Manager Andrew Grant.

—They also agreed to reschedule discussions on the town concealed carry regulations to the first meeting in October, in view of a lengthy public hearing (Alexander Farm) already scheduled for Sept. 21.

—The Sept. 14 Planning Board meeting as well as all Town Board meetings will continue to be streamed online via the town’s web site: www.cornelius.org.