Some factual clarification is due based on Jesse Bifulco's interpretation of Camden's zoning ordinance:

1.) The very first sentence of the purpose of the district in Camden's Zoning Ordinance (page VIII-24) states: "The Traditional Village District encompasses the older residential neighborhoods (emphasis added) near the center of the community, where historically a majority of the Town's population lived within walking distance of the central business district....The purpose of this district is to maintain these highly livable neighborhoods, which include single family homes, all-scale multifamily structures, compatible residential-scale businesses, and a distinct village design."

Any of the properties in the Traditional Village in the High Street area that have a grandfathered commercial use also have a residential component. 10 High Street has two dwelling units, the house and the second floor of the carriage house, the Whitehall Inn has the owner's single family home on the property. This is not a neighborhood with stand-alone commercial uses mixed in with residential properties.

2.) Apples and oranges: Zoning changes do get approved all the time, but...

A.) Michael Salmon received a special exception, not a change to the zoning ordinance.

B.) The zoning change that allowed an Inn downtown was in the Harbor business zone, not in a residential zone.

C.) The change passed in November of 2012 allowed expansion in "volume and area" only (for the RU-1, RU-2, B-3, V, VE and CR districts) and as in the case of the applicable business zones "no additional non-conformity shall be allowed". Article 2 expands the non-conformity by adding meals that are explicitly prohibited.

D.) By the way, the vote on that 2012 amendment was Yes: 1704; No: 1135. It was hardly unopposed.

3.) The beautiful historic homes on High Street have been well maintained, but it has not taken any zoning amendments to make that happen. All the residents and innkeepers on this street have pride in ownership and wish to maintain the value of their homes. Inn owners already have an economic incentive to maintain their property—guests will not be attracted to or return to one that isn't and the re-sale value will be diminished.

4.) This proposal undermines the zoning provisions that protect residential neighborhoods from increasing commercial uses where they are not allowed. This could happen in your neighborhood next.

Deb Dodge lives in Camden