Dear Bow Mar Residents,

I’m writing to provide an important update on the Town’s ongoing effort to establish design review guidelines for the Recreational Zone District.

As many of you know, Bow Mar currently has design review guidelines in place for the Residential Zone District. These guidelines have long helped maintain the architectural integrity of our community by regulating the size, height, and setbacks of homes.

Historically, nearly all building activity in Bow Mar has occurred within this residential district. However, the Recreational Zone District, which includes the beach and Marston, has seen increased interest in development. Unlike the residential district, this area has no existing design review guidelines. After consulting with the Design Review Board (DRB), the Town initiated the creation of a first draft of design criteria for this district. These criteria are intended to guide the approval process for proposed structures and ensure that any new development aligns with the community’s values and expectations.

Following completion of the initial draft, I met with the BMOI President to review the initial draft. It was then published on the Town website, and a public hearing was held on July 21 to gather initial community feedback. That hearing will continue this Monday, August 18 at 6:00 PM to allow for additional public comment.

Since the July 21 public hearing, Town officials have met with representatives from BMOI and also with the Design Review Board to refine the draft and reach a consensus on the proposed guidelines. This collaborative effort has resulted in a revised draft of the document, which was posted to the Town website yesterday.

This Monday, the Board of Trustees will discuss the revised document. If approved, it will move to a second reading at the next regularly scheduled Trustees meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 6:00pm, where it would need to be voted on again in order to be formally adopted.

I want to sincerely thank the Trustees, the BMOI Board, and the Design Review Board for their thoughtful collaboration and dedication throughout this process. Developing new guidelines, especially given none previously existed, is never easy, but it is essential to ensure that future development in our recreational areas reflects the values and aesthetics of Bow Mar.

We continue to welcome public input and encourage all residents to participate in Monday’s hearing. Together, we are working to thoughtfully close a gap in our zoning regulations and protect the character of our community for generations to come.

Bryan Sperry

Mayor