Town of Malta Zoning Update

On Monday August 26, the Malta Town Board held a workshop with Barton & Loguidice, a multidisciplinary consulting firm with community planning expertise.  Barton & Loguidice will be working with the Town Board, Planning Department, AND Malta residents, to evaluate and update Malta’s zoning regulations.  Malta’s zoning regulations may require change in part due to the adoption of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Update passed by the Town Board on July 10, 2023.  In addition to aligning the zoning with the comprehensive plan, the Town may be adding new zoning for such items as solar and short-term rentals.  

The process to review, evaluate, and make necessary changes to the Town’s zoning regulations will take up to a year to complete.  The process includes four major steps:

• Review of current zoning ordinance and planning documents,

• Internal and external outreach,

• Drafting new zoning districts and maps, and

• Final code adoption, SEQR review, and implementation of the new codes.

In my view, one of the most critical parts of the zoning update process are the community discovery sessions.  I will do my best between now and January to keep residents informed on the zoning update process and, if elected, I will work to ensure that residents have a significant voice in the process.  I believe that keeping residents informed and involved in how the Town grows will be a benefit for us all.

I am Rick Handley and I am running for your Malta Town Board this November!