Nearly three dozen Mathews residents, calling themselves the "Concerned Citizens of Mathews," signed a petition recently asking the board of supervisors to defer action on any zoning changes and to call a town meeting to review the recently-adopted comprehensive plan.

Ruth Nitzsche of Port Haywood, submitted the petition during the board of supervisors’ March 22 meeting, saying that Mathews residents need more time to examine and digest the comprehensive plan and its possible impact on "their lives and their property rights."

During supervisors’ comment period, board members defended the comprehensive plan, which they adopted on Jan. 18, and explained the lengthy process that resulted in the document.

Reading from a prepared statement, Nitzsche took issue with potential zoning decisions on mixed use development, infill projects, urban development and non-tidal wetlands. She asserted that adding language concerning wetlands to the subdivision ord...