Naples may be one step closer to determining what future land uses will be in town, but a workshop Monday established that no changes are imminent.

After discussions about the language and provisions of the proposed town zoning ordinance lasted for almost an hour, it was apparent the ordinance would not be on the ballot for the elections in November.

The workshop, attended by Selectmen Christine Powers and Karen Thompson, and Town Manager Derik Goodine, did reassure about the scope of the ordinance and how portions could be altered.

Drafted by a committee led by Naples resident Skip Meeker, proposed zoning changes are the product of nearly a year of meetings.

If approved by voters, it would expand zoning from the Village District covering much of the Route 302 Causeway and Route 114 south towards the Naples Golf and Country Club to include rural, critical rural, commercial and residential growth areas throughout town.

A map delineating the areas was approved at the annual town meeting in June. At the workshop held Monday evening, both language in the ordinance and questions about land uses in the rural and critical rural zones drew attention.

“You are redesigning my life after I have owned my land for 15 years,” said Naples resident Mark Gregg as he questioned the 38 acres on Tiger Hill Road slated to be zoned as rural.

Although the proposed designation allows him more versatility than the critical rural area that includes shoreline areas, wetlands and conservation areas, Gregg could still envision his hopes disappearing for a cattle farm with a store selling beef from the farm.

While difficult to speculate on whether the store would violate zoning provisions against commercial uses, Naples Town Manager Derik Goodine reminded Gregg the specific permitted use for agriculture could work in his favor should the ordinance pass.

“Zoning is not always bad when you are looking at property rights,” Goodine said, as the allowed use would preclude neighbors from stopping the farming without a zoning change.

How to go about zoning changes if the ordinance is enacted was a big concern for Peter Marucci, owner of Colonial Mast Campground off Kansas Road.

While the current use of his land would be allowed, expansion in the Critical Rural Zone could only occur with a zoning change reverting it to rural use.

“All we are asking for is an avenue to change,” said Marucci.

The avenue was assured to him, although the process of approaching the board of selectmen to create an amendment to the ordinance, followed by a public hearing and planning board recommendation and ultimately a vote at a town meeting still seemed onerous to those concerned about operating a small business in town.

The process was also questioned because it appeared to Gregg and Marucci that zoning amendments would only be considered at the annual town meeting in June, which could hurt business owners needing quicker consideration for the health of their businesses.

Meeker defended the procedures in that zoning changes sought would always be considered in a public forum with a chance for residents to vote.

The workshop followed discussions at the meeting of the Naples Board of Selectmen Sept. 10, where changes to the ordinance such as removing appeals procedures for items not defined in the ordinance and inclusion of the planning board in outlining the zoning appeals process were suggested.

All changes are still in need of review by the town legal counsel and the proposed date in late October for a public hearing on the changes preclude a November vote on the ordinance.

Meeker and Goodine emphasized the ordinance now considered is only a start for a town lacking full ordinances to enforce the provisions of the town comprehensive plan.

“All we can do is make a starting point,” Messer said. “The town is fortunate. It has almost zoned itself through the years and survived unprotected for many years.”