Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-22 Planning Board Minutes PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 MINUTES Board Members Present: Paul Bolin, Chairman John Kenney Wayne Mallar Dora McCarthy Julie Williams City Staff Present: David Gould Chairman Bolin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Bolin announced as a new policy/procedure of the Board that whenever a Board Member votes against an application, that he/she will need to explain their rationale for why they are voting against it. This issue was discussed at the Board’s previous meeting. NEW BUSINESS Item No. 1: Site Development Plan approval of a parking lot expansion at 953 Odlin Road in an Urban Industry District. The Lane Construction Corporation, applicant. Kelly Cry, with Lane Construction Corporation, explained the proposed Site Development Plan. The applicant wants to expand the existing parking area at 953 Odlin Road to include 8 new spaces, one handicap space and a loading zone. Also, they are proposing to move the existing entrance and add an exit for better flow on the site. Presently another property has an easement to use the driveway on their property. The reconfiguration will make for a better flow of traffic on the site and add extra space. Planning Officer Gould explained that this is a request for Site Development Plan approval for the construction of additional parking at Lane’s office building on Odlin Road. The plans, as submitted, meet ordinance and submittal requirements and Staff recommended approval. 2 Mr. Mallar asked if the buffer follows the right-of-way line or the edge of the parking lot. Ms. Williams said that she did not feel it was up to the Planning Board to say where the buffer should go. Planning Officer Gould indicated that the Board can request that more buffering should be provided. However, in this case, the buffer will meet the standard in either location. Ms. Cyr indicated that she found in the Land Development Code where the buffer should be placed on the street right-of-way boundary. Ms. McCarthy moved to approve the Site Development Plan for a parking lot expansion at 953 Odlin Road in an Urban Industry District - The Lane Construction Corporation, applicant. Mr. Kenney seconded the motion. The Board vote four in favor and one opposed. Mr. Mallar voted against the motion and indicated that his rationale for doing so was that areas along Odlin Road did not provide enough screening from the public right-of-way consistent with the guidelines of 165-114 F (1) and (4). Item No. 2: Site Development Plan approval to create approximately 7,782 sq. ft. of additional storage area on a rear gravel area located at 1216 Hammond Street in a General Commercial and Service District. 1216 Hammond Street LLC, applicant. Mr. Sean Thies, P.E. with CES, Inc. represented the applicant and explained that the Site Development Plan before the Board is to create additional storage area on a rear gravel area located at 1216 Hammond Street in a General Commercial and Service District. Planning Officer Gould indicated that the plan as submitted met submittal and Ordinance requirements and Staff recommended approval. Ms. Williams moved to approve the Site Development Plan to create approximately 7,782 sq. ft. of additional storage area on a real gravel area located at 1216 Hammond Street in a General Commercial and Service District, 1216 Hammond Street, LLC, applicant. Ms. McCarthy seconded the motion. The Board voted 5 to 0 in favor of the motion to approve the application. 3 Item No. 3: Planning Board Discussion of proposed amendment to the Rural Residence and Agricultural District for landscaping businesses. Planning Officer Gould explained that Assistant City Solicitor Paul Nicklas had asked that this item be forwarded to the Board for review. Mr. Nicklas could not attend this meeting but would like to discuss this with the Board and Mr. Gould suggested that the Board consider this at its next meeting. Planning Board Members had questions regarding the language for “maintenance” and whether this would include maintenance of equipment on the site, and the size of the buffer for “permitted uses” versus “conditional uses.” Ms. Williams noted that she was hesitant to put too many restrictions on these businesses as the RR & A District is the only district that they are allowed to locate in. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Item No. 4: Planning Board Approval of Minutes. Ms. McCarthy moved to approve the Minutes of the September 1, 2015 Planning Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Williams and it passed unanimously. Other Business Mr. Mallar expressed his concern about changing the date of a regular meeting. He suggested that rather than change the date, the cut-off date for submittals be extended. He would also like for the Board to receive their meeting information even earlier than it does now. Planning Officer Gould explained how the process works as to whether or not an item is ready to be placed on an agenda. Chairman Bolin said that the present process did not seem to be a problem. Mr. Mallar also indicated that he didn’t like for last minute information to be submitted not only for the Board but for abutters to review. There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.