Attempts had started in the 1940s with residents who were leaving the area and felt they could get better prices with less restrictive zoning.

Nor does the area have landmark status, the ultimate protection against teardowns in areas with restrictive zoning.

Residents began carving out new villages with more restrictive zoning.

Nothing much came of it, and in 1987, with the department long out of the picture, the town passed more restrictive zoning.

Easing restrictive zoning, another recommendation of the state's December report, is being considered by some towns.

"If there was more support for more restrictive zoning," he said, "presumably it would be in place."

Opponents of the bill said that troublesome bars should be dealt with through existing laws or restrictive zoning.

New construction, though permitted in some areas of the county, is limited because of restrictive zoning.

Should that happen, it must comply with the new, more restrictive zoning.

But the co-op's board sided last fall with the community board's application for more restrictive zoning.