Views of Dennis Hill from Winchester Road.

 On October 14, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on an application to designate Winchester Road as a town “scenic road.” Under Norfolk’s scenic road ordinance, the owners of a majority of the frontage on a road may petition for scenic road designation. The road must possess at least one of a list of scenic characteristics in order to be considered scenic. Shelley Harms and 28 neighbors on Winchester Road had submitted the application, which showed that Winchester Road possesses nearly all the scenic characteristics listed in the ordinance. The 29 landowners own over three-fourths of the frontage on the four-mile road. Several letters in support were received, including a letter from the Coalition for Sound Growth. Two neighbors spoke against the scenic road designation, expressing the concern that the road would not be maintained in a safe manner, and one letter was received to this effect. However, the Commission noted that routine maintenance is permitted without notification and a hearing under the ordinance. Sue Dyer presented a letter on behalf of the Board of Selectmen stating what the Selectmen consider to be routine maintenance and assuring that the road will continue to be maintained. After the hearing, the Commission voted unanimously to designate Winchester Road as a scenic road. Since the scenic road ordinance was passed in 2005, Winchester Road is the second town scenic road. South Sandisfield Road was designated scenic in 2006. The effect of a designation as a scenic road is that the road must be maintained in such a way as to preserve the road’s scenic characteristics, consistent with public safety. If major changes are planned for a scenic road, the town must provide residents with notice and the opportunity for a hearing.