Stonington — The Economic Development Commission will hold a public informational meeting on Monday night to discuss a proposed new zoning district designed to encourage the revitalization of downtown Pawcatuck.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Pawcatuck fire station.

The so-called PV-5 district was drafted by the town’s Department of Planning to provide downtown Pawcatuck with a zoning district that “better enables the redevelopment of historic properties and reinforces the village’s walkable, mixed-use character,” according to the EDC.

The commission along with the planning department is looking for feedback from residents, property owners and business owners about the changes.

If there is support for the idea, the Planning and Zoning Commission could submit a formal application for the new zone to itself. After a public hearing, the commission could approve the new zoning district.

The proposal to replace the DB-5 zone with the new PV-5 zone would allow greater density of residential development, more flexible off-street parking requirements and prohibit parking in front of buildings to maintain a village-scale development.

It also would allow A-frame sidewalk signs to advertise businesses, which currently are prohibited by zoning. The proposal also would streamline the permitting process, allow larger wall signs and an expanded variety of commercial uses with staff or commission approval.

The zone would extend west from the Pawcatuck River to Liberty Street, north to Noyes Avenue and south along the Amtrak line to Palmer Street. It would not affect the northern edge of the manufacturing zone along Mechanic Street that houses the former Yardney mills.

The PV-5 zone also could replace the existing LS-5 zone to the west or it could remain in place to buffer adjacent residential areas. The LS-5 zone extends west to approximately Lincoln and Lester avenues with roughly the same north-south boundaries as the DB-5 zone.

j.wojtas@theday.com