FREEPORT – The Freeport Planning Board is continuing to consider amending the zoning ordinance to allow smaller lot sizes in the Village district.

The board is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, on a proposal to allow landowners in the Village 1 and Village Commercial 2 and 3 districts, who have at least a lot of 25,000 square feet, to create a 5,000-square-foot housing lot. The minimum lot size in these districts now is 20,000 square feet. The board had scheduled a hearing on the issue last month, but a lack of a quorum forced it to put off any discussion on the issue.

The Village 1 district abuts the Village Commercial districts on the north, west and east sides. The Village Commercial 2 district is in the area of Mallet Drive and includes a small portion on Main Street. The Village Commercial 3 district is in the area of Independence Drive.

Under the proposed amendment, the house and garage size would be limited, only one small lot would be allowed per parcel, setback requirements must be met and the small lots must be connected to the public water and sewer system.

The only way landowners now can divide their lots in the Village district is to have at least 40,000 square feet, as both lots must be at least 20,000 square feet after they are divided. The amendment would allow landowners with smaller lots to break off a 5,000-square-foot parcel for development, provided the remaining parcel meets the 20,000-square-foot limit.

Under the proposed amendment, the house and garage size would be limited, only one small lot would be allowed per parcel, setback requirements must be met and the small lots must be connected to the public water and sewer system.

Town Planner Donna Larson said last month that the Freeport ’s comprehensive plan looks to put more affordable housing in town, and in trying to attract smaller homes, she proposed allowing smaller lots in the village area. She said it would be a way to get another type of housing into the village, and the smaller homes on smaller lots would likely be more affordable than larger homes built on the minimum 20,000-square-foot lots.

“Then you could truly provide a diversity of housing stock,” she said.

At the same meeting, the Planning Board will also hold a public hearing on a proposal to expand the definition of “agricultural farm stand” to give local farm stands more flexibility to operate. The proposed amendment would also amend the definition of farm stand to allow farmers some more flexibility of what they can sell at their stands.