P&Z signs off on review of Pope property

SALISBURY — On Monday, Oct. 20, the Planning and Zoning Commission heard a presentation from Chairman Michael Klemens on the current preliminary plans for the tri-pronged conservation, housing and recreation project that is proposed for the downtown-adjacent Pope property.

Klemens, who serves as a consulting expert for the Pope project’s wood turtle conservation strategy, recused himself from his P&Z duties and remained in the discussion solely as a consultant.

The plans call for a vast area of conserved land meant to protect vital wood turtle habitat, which is listed by the state as a species of special concern.

The proposal divides the rest of the land into two much smaller parcels, one for recreation and the other for housing.

When any town-owned land is sold, leased or faces a major use change, the proposed use is statutorily required to undergo an 8-24 referral process in which P&Z determines whether it complies with the Plan of Conservation and Development.

P&Z, with alternate Danella Schiffer sitting in for Klemens, voted unanimously to approve the review. The 8-24 referral is a preliminary step in developing formal plans, which will eventually go to a town meeting.