EDGECOMB PLANNING BOARD

MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

Amendments to Articles I, IV and V of the Edgecomb Land Use Ordinance

 

The public hearing was called to order at 6:30 p.m.  Copies of the revised proposed ordinance amendments were available to those attending.

 

Chairman Jack French said the amendments were a definition of “municipal structure,” a new definition of large-scale development, which excludes municipal structures, and new dimensional requirements for municipal structures.  The purpose of the proposed amendments was included in the informational sheets that were distributed. 

 

Jack Sarmanian said it was crucial to pass the amendment so that the fire station can be built on the present site.  He commended the planning board for its work on the amendment.

 

Martha Speed said that her surveyor recommended a setback of 16 inches on the side and back lot lines in case the boundary line was not exactly where it was thought to be.  She suggested that the setbacks be five feet for the parking lot. 

 

Sue Carlson, member of the fire station committee, said the amendment was immensely important and if the fire station was not built soon, everyone was at risk. 

 

Dave Boucher said he had suggested that the driveway go along the lot line, but it was recommended that the setback be at least a foot so that a surveyed line would not be necessary. 

 

Eleanor Eide said that if the parking lot were built that close to the road, plowing the road would be difficult.

 

Attorney John Cunningham said that the setback did not apply to parking lots, only driveways.  The parking area has to be ten feet from the property line. 

 

Jack French said the plan was approved by the town when the vote was taken at town meeting. 

 

John Hanson, architect, said that there are no driveways within ten feet of the lot line.

 

Jack French clarified that the amendment would allow any municipal activity to be approved by the voters of the town. 

 

Fire Chief Roy Potter said the current parking lot is on the property line and has never been an issue with the town. 

 

Bruce Cameron asked whether the district for municipal buildings was defined.  The chairman said that the proposal covers municipal buildings anywhere in town.  John Cunningham said permitted uses in any zone were not changed.  Sue Carlson clarified that municipal uses are permitted anywhere in town.

 

Jo Cameron asked whether the amendments applied to any municipal structure such as a salt shed or a town hall and if it were clear that these were the minimum standards.  Jack French said any proposal would come up for a vote of the town; the proposal contains minimum standards, which allow, for instance, the town to build a fire station at its present location.

 

John Hanson displayed a plan of the fire station and parking areas that showed the driveway was 15 feet from the property lines.  The floor plan was also shown.  The public hearing closed at 6:50 p.m.

REGULAR MEETING

 

1.  Call to Order

 

The chairman called the meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. 

 

2.  Roll Call

 

Members present were Vice Chairman David Boucher, Chairman Jack French, Barry Hathorne, and Pat Jeremiah and alternates David Nutt and Amber Tonry.  Jarryl Larson was absent.  Amber Tonry was appointed to act in Larson’s absence.

 

3.  Approval of minutes of September 16, 2010

 

David Boucher moved to approve the minutes as printed.  Vote 5-0-0. 

 

4.  Approval of amendments to Articles I, IV and V of the Edgecomb Land Use Ordinance

 

David Boucher moved to approve the proposed amendments to the Edgecomb Land Use Ordinance as presented tonight (copy attached).  Vote 5-0-0.

 

5.  Other Business

 

Jack French said the Zoning Board of Appeals section of the ordinance was confusing and was a mixture of two parts of the state law, which made the job of the Appeals Board difficult.  He suggested starting with the state law in revising that section of the ordinance.  The matter will be discussed at the next meeting. 

 

The email from Larry Cilley to Jack French regarding the Candace Leonard application for the addition of an enclosed porch was distributed.  Cilley will be invited to the next meeting to answer questions regarding the addition in shoreland.

 

The chairman said three applications from consultants to work with the Route 1 Corridor Committee had been received and evaluated; the decision will be announced at the selectmen’s meeting on Monday, October 4.

 

Jack Sarmanian thanked the board for its work in approving the amendments.  A vote will be held at a special town meeting on October 14 at 7 p.m.  John Cunningham and John Hanson will be invited to attend.

 

6.  Adjournment

 

Barry Hathorne moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.  Vote 5-0-0.