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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-20 Infrastructure Committee Minutes Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Minutes Councilors Attending: Patricia Blanchette, Harold Wheeler, Geoffrey Gratwick, David Neally, Richard Stone, Peter D’Errico, Susan Hawes, Richard Bronson Staff Attending: Jim Ring, Paul Nicklas, Wendy Warren, Dan Wellington Others Attending: Joel with Bangor Neon, Ken Krump Committee convened at 5:00 p.m. 1. DIMS Report Paul Nicklas deferred to Wendy Warren, Environmental Coordinator who provided background and the Does It Make Sense Workshop (DIMS) study done by AMEC. Councilor D’Errico asked if there had been communications with other communities so as to know what the City should expect and how to implement such a utility. Councilor Neally questioned the equability of the user fee and a cost that may be borne by all. Councilor Wheeler noted equability would not be a proper term; that the burden would fall on the taxpayer at a rate of approximately $42 per year for each household. A feasibility study should be done, to identify addition sources of funding to reduce costs to the taxpayer. Jim stated the stormwater utility did not just capture the taxpayer, but also the non-profit development, etc. The study would look at equability/balance and take into account the size of the property. The Council must decide at the end of the study what would be a reasonable approach. The other process would be implementation and setting of the rates, dependent upon other sources such as grants. Councilor Gratwick asked if the State and Federal properties would be part of the process. Wendy responded that Lewiston was an example of the State being taxed on their properties and facilities. Ed Barrett followed up that the hospital in Lewiston was disputing the bill and it was in litigation. If this were set up properly it should apply to everyone, including the federal government. Paul Nicklas advised all to take care when totaling up the costs and setting the rate. Councilor Blanchette noted that there was a similar process when setting up the WWTP for the water/sewer billing, money was placed in escrow to build it. Ed suggested comparing impact on homeowner from property taxes versus impact on sewer utility/or impervious surface fee and noted it would be less expensive for single family dwelling to pay utility fee. He stated the airport had the biggest impervious surface. Councilor Wheeler felt that the utility 1 fee should be charged to non-profits but what legal means would there be to enforce/legal mechanism. Paul Nicklas stated that when implementing it could be in the form of a tax or fee. Ed suggested doing a feasibility study with public meetings for awareness before imposing extra fee/tax on the taxpayers. Paul stated that in the scope of work Sewall Company was doing they had agreed to holding a public meetings. Council Blanchette suggested public awareness via the government access channel. Councilor Cashwell requested the ordinance be revised to come back in the spring instead of the end of the year, which the Committee agreed to. 2. Revised Sign Ordinance Paul provided overview and provided the following changes: 1) No longer limit text & logos. 2) Prohibition of sexual content as this was already in Code §228- 1. 3) Clarification of §260-4. 4) Consider not including §260-7. There was continued discussion of litigation of various restrictions, etc. and aesthetics of buildings. Councilor Gratwick motioned this move to full Council and it was seconded. 3. Discussion – Bed And Breakfast Use in URD – 1 Zone Ed stated he received a request form Ken Krump to operate a bed and breakfast with three units at 735 Hammond Street, corner of Hammond and Plaisted. Mr. Krump spoke to the Committee to explain is desire for a bed and breakfast and suggested a variance be considered. Dan Wellington explained the zones, laws, variances, etc. Councilor Wheeler advised it needed to be approved by the Planning Board but recommended/directed staff to investigate contract zone or variance options to provide more information on why it was so difficult to get a variance. Councilor Bronson advised not to spend time on the variance idea. Ed stated staff would provide information on the variance, as requested, and would look at contract zone changes and bring back for next meeting. He noted there may be trouble meeting the basic development standards of the zone. Staff would also look at other locations where bed and breakfasts could be allowed and under what conditions, but that would take longer. Staff would come back with a comprehensive regulatory scheme. Motion was made to come back in two weeks and was seconded. 4. Referral: Council Order 09-313, Amending Chapter 268, Section 268-6 of the Code of the City of Bangor, Post Construction Stormwater Maintenance Plan Approval – To Correct Drafting Error Regarding Certain Dates in the Ordinance Ed stated there was an error with the year that should reflect December 31, 2009. Motion made and seconded with no discussion. Adjourned at approximately 6:37p.m. 2