Arbitrary Lines: The Free Spirit of Caroline

"Arbitrary Lines: The Free Spirit of Caroline" is a captivating documentary that paints a vivid portrait of Caroline, a small town nestled in the rural landscapes of Upstate New York. It presents an intriguing narrative about the tension between traditional zoning laws and the town's unique, free-spirited ethos.

The documentary begins by introducing viewers to the charming town of Caroline, rich in history and deeply connected to its pastoral roots. However, the idyllic tranquility is stirred up when the town faces the introduction of new zoning laws, sparking a riveting debate on preserving the town's character versus promoting modern development.

At the heart of this story are the town's colorful personalities. There are the small business owners like Laurie and John Morse whose event venue barely survived the COVID pandemic.

There's the generational farmers like Hannah Wylie whose roots go back 7 generations.

There's the visionary builder, Bruno Schickel, who transforms a parcel of farmland into a whimsical village of tiny homes called Boiceville. Bruno's innovative approach to housing presents a compelling counterpoint to conventional zoning norms, highlighting the creativity that can flourish in the absence of rigid regulations.

Next, the film shifts its focus to two single mothers, Tonya VanCamp and Corinna Farbman, who each tell a unique story about their personal battles with zoning regulations. Farbman's struggle to build a home and pottery studio under the constraints of existing zoning laws and VanCamp's run-ins with proposed water resource overlays provide poignant, firsthand accounts of how these laws can impact individual lives.

Adding depth to the narrative, the film takes us to Sweet Caroline, a local gift store run by Shari Conover. This small business represents the soul of Caroline, brimming with locally made products and crafts, but also faces uncertainty under the looming threat of zoning laws. Shari's fear is that the introduction of these laws could stifle the entrepreneurial spirit that characterizes Caroline's community.

The climax of the story occurs at a massive rally outside the Town Hall, revealing the deep schisms that have formed within the community over the zoning issue. This display of public sentiment underscores the critical nature of the ongoing debate.

"Arbitrary Lines: The Free Spirit of Caroline" is a compelling exploration of the delicate balance between the preservation of community character and the need for sustainable growth and development. It is a story about the power of community spirit in the face of bureaucratic constraints. The documentary challenges viewers to consider the impact of zoning laws on the fabric of small-town life and to rethink the arbitrary lines that define our built environments. The film ultimately raises a thought-provoking question: can the free spirit of a town like Caroline be preserved in the face of growing regulatory pressures?