Very few Guilford residents are aware that the Planning & Zoning Commission has been considering a zoning change that will have enormous implications for the future character of the town. The proposed change will permit adding flea markets as an allowable use in the TS zone along Route 1-all the way from Big Y past Mannix Chevrolet and Mannix is proposing to set up such a market when the regulations are changed.

I'm not sure whether the change is a good idea, but I do know that this simple change can have far reaching and long-term implications to our town and there has been little public discussion. Neighbors did not even know that these changes were to be voted upon on May 5, nor did other town committees and community groups concerned with these issues. There was no study of tax and budget implications, traffic impacts, environmental impacts, or visual characteristics and the proposed changes do not adequately address these concerns.

We debate for months about whether a fast food outlet can have a drive through because of a few extra cars that might be turning into

Route 1. This proposal could bring hundreds or even thousands of extra cars to one location. I do not presume to know whether such uses should be approved, but I do know that it is too important to have been voted upon without a full and complete public discussion, including expert input.

Those who care about these issues should make their opinions known and ask the Planning & Zoning Commission to request that the Planning Committee conduct a full analysis of the overall impact of this zoning change before taking further action.

Howard Brown

Guilford