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Proposed Ordinance Changes

The public hearing on proposed ordinance changes was called to order by Erin Cooperrider, Chairman, at 7:10 p.m. Board members present were Erin Cooperrider, Lisa McSwain and Stuart Smith. Also present were Selectman Jo Cameron, Martha Speed, Ryan Thompson of the Wiscasset News and two residents.

The chairman said that the Board proposed to combine all ordinances into one document entitled, "Town of Edgecomb Land Use Ordinance." No ordinances will be eliminated and the changes are mainly housekeeping. The Board was charged to create this document by the Comprehensive Plan. The new ordinance will available on line and also for a fee from the Town.

The chairman briefly described the contents of the new ordinance which combines into a general provisions section the common elements of each ordinance, such as definitions, fees, amendments, etc. but also contains sections for each of the existing ordinances such as Shoreland, Subdivision, Site Plan, etc.

The housekeeping changes aside from combining common elements include

1. Adding to the Site Plan Review and Mobile Home Park ordinances a requirement that the developer notify abutters of the public hearing;
2. Specifying eight copies of application materials to ordinances where that requirement does not now exist;
3. Specifying that Table B-1 in the Building Code applies to Route 1 only (which was the original intent);
4. Clarifying the buffer section and correcting the buffer depth in the Building Code to coincide with the Site Plan Review ordinance;
5. Rewording Sections 2, 3, and 4, of the Building Code to clarify the Board's role in the approval process;
6. Changing the standards for roads which may become Town roads in the Mobile Home Park Ordinance
7. Clarifying definition of mobile home
8. Making two corrections to the Shoreland Ordinance required by the DEP
9. On advice of attorney, allowing amendment of all ordinances at any Town Meeting.

The DEP-required changes to the Shoreland ordinance were discussed briefly. The changes include correcting the description of the Limited Residential District and correcting the distance from the high-water line in which no timber harvesting shall take place abutting great ponds.