To the Editor:

The request by Tractor Supply to change zoning from residential to South Main Village Design District (SMVDD) overlay zoning has now been approved and designated as Special Design District-4 (SDD-4).

A major objective of the SMVDD zoning is to enhance the small-town New England character of South Main Street.

That begs the question: What is the character of small-town New England?

My answer: Residential homes interspersed with commercial businesses and agricultural fields.

The 3.5 miles from the flagpole south on Route 25 to the Stop & Shop plaza has    59 homes, 60 commercial locations, 1 open field being farmed. Tractor Supply proposes to reduce the number of homes by one and eliminate the only open field.

By adding yet another commercial business and eliminating the only field, South Main Street's small town character will not be enhanced. It already looks like a long strip mall.

A requirement of "Article XXX Special Development Districts (SDD), section 515 -161 Approval of Concept" is that: "The application and schematic plans shall be sufficient in scope and character to determine that the same objectives, purpose and intent and design guidelines of the South Main Village Design District (SMVDD) will be met."

If Tractor Supply does not subsequently show that its proposal enhances the "small town character" of South Main Street, it must then be rejected.

I would welcome Tractor Supply coming to Newtown, but in a location currently zoned for commercial.

Steve Bennett

4 Monitor Hill Road, Newtown         November 17, 2015