Split zoning rules along Montague's waterfront are potentially confusing and should be streamlined, according to city officials currently updating the city's official plan and zoning bylaws.

Stantec, the consulting firm involved in the work, has found there some single waterfront properties in Montague that fall into two different zonings — residential and waterfront development. In other words, part of the property is considered residential while the other part is considered waterfront.

That could make things confusing should a property owner decide to open a restaurant or hotel, for example, which is technically allowed under the waterfront development zoning, but not under the residential zoning bylaw.

In it current blog posting, Things to do for Montague, Stantec said the split zoning of properties fronting on the Montague River should be avoided as much as possible.

In particular, it said, the Waterfront Development Zone to the east of Locust Street should be extended south to create a more substantial area for waterfront-oriented residential development.

Stantec is encouraging the town to work with property owners to figure out the zone that makes the most sense in each case.

Stantec is urging that particular attention be paid to "the southeast portion of the waterfront area (i.e., the land on the south side of the river from the bridge to the eastern limit of the town)" which it calls the city's "most attractive property," which includes the Garden of the Gulf Museum and the Government Wharf as well the Clark's Building on Main Street, which is expected to be redeveloped.