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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-20 Planning Board Minutes PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2012 MINUTES Board Members Present: Miles Theeman, Chairman Paul Bolin Charles Boothby, Alternate Member Doug Damon John Kenney John Miller Andrew Sturgeon Julie Williams City Staff Present: David Gould Peter Witham Chairman Theeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS Item No. 1: Amending the Land Development Code Chapter 165, Section mending the Land Development Code Chapter 165, Section 165-13 Definitions – defining fitness center and adding it to 165-13 Definitions – defining fitness center and adding it to recreational use; and, Chapter 165, Section 165-103 C. Industry recreational use; and, Chapter 165, Section 165-103 C. Industry and Service District – adding fitness center to the list of and Service District – adding fitness center to the list of Permitted Uses. City of Bangor, applicant. C.O. # 12-096. Permitted Uses. City of Bangor, applicant. C.O. # 12-096. Chairman Theeman opened the Public Hearing. Planning Officer David Gould indicated the proposed amendment was intended to allow for fitness centers within Industry and Service Districts where existing buildings may uniquely fit their reuse needs. Mr. Gould noted that in many instances industrial parks are designed and built by the City for the specific needs of industrial users who otherwise might not have a suitable location. The City most often sells the lots to facilitate specific entities for industrial uses. The Economic Development Office was contacted by a party interested in reuse of an industrial building that was uniquely suited to their needs with large open spans and high ceilings. The proposed zoning amendment was crafted to accommodate that need and avoid a vacant unused 2 building, but also to protect the industrial districts from widespread displacement by nonindustrial uses. There were no opponents or proponents speaking to this zoning amendment. Chairman Theeman closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Sturgeon asked if the provision limiting reuse to existing buildings was tight enough to prohibit someone from constructing a building with the intent to turn it into a fitness center use. Mr. Gould indicated he thought that was unlikely, there are many other zones that would accommodate the use, and the interest is in an existing structure which has the right dimensional characteristics that make it ideal. Lots in industrial parks that are owned by the City are most often sold based on a specific development proposal so that it is unlikely that a nonindustrial use would be endorsed by the Economic Development Office. Mr. Damon asked if other industrial neighbors were notified and if such a change might be inconsistent with their use and understanding of what could take place in the industrial park. Mr. Gould responded that text amendments are advertised, but specific notices are not mailed, as the amendment would apply district-wide. Mr. Gould indicated the amendment was developed at the request of the Economic Development Office and supported by the Business and Economic Development Committee. Mr. Gould noted that an alternative approach would be rezoning a parcel to accommodate a broader use, but such approach has its drawbacks as well and is somewhat costly to the applicant. There being no further discussion, Chairman Theeman asked for a motion. Mr. Bolin moved to recommend passage of Council Ordinance No. 012-96 to the City Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kenney and it passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Item No. 2: Planning Board Approval of Minutes. As there were no minutes for consideration, this item was continued to the Board’s next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.