By: Christopher Crosby

PARIS— Selectmen have scheduled a public hearing to hear citizens’ comments on a proposed land-use ordinance for Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Paris Fire Station on Western Ave.

The original public hearing scheduled for Jan. 6 was cancelled due to inclement weather. On Jan. 14, selectmen rescheduled the meeting.

The proposed ordinance would divide the town into unique districts with differing restrictions and requirements on building and development. The districts are General Growth, South Paris Main Street, Rural, Paris Hill, and the Route 26 Corridor.

In 2011 a Land Use Advisory Committee was established per the recommendation of the town’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan. A draft of the ordinance was presented to selectmen in April of 2013.

Generally, the General Growth District and Route 26 Corridor allow types of development that the other district do not, such as constructing mobile homes, duplexes, condos, and multi-family dwellings, which would be prohibited in the Paris Hill zone.

Under the ordinance, the General Growth and Route 26 Corridor are less restrictive, allowing among many other types of development manufacturing, communication towers, and hotels.

Town ordinances can be more restrictive than state law, but not less.

In addition to other Oxford County towns, at present, Paris doesn’t legislate land development.