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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-03 Planning Board Minutes PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF May 3, 2016 MINUTES Board Members Present: John Kenney, Chairman Charles Boothby Chuck LeBlanc, Alternate Wayne Mallar Pete Parizo Steve Hicks Julie Williams City Staff Present: David Gould Peter Witham John Theriault Chairman Kenney called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Chairman Kenney noted in the absence of Member McCarthy Alternate Member LeBlanc would be voting. PUBLIC HEARINGS Item No. 1: To amend the Land Development Code by changing a parcel of land located at 656 State Street from Low Density Residential District to a Contract Government and Institutional District. Said parcel of land containing approximately 1.81 acres (78,844 square feet). Emera Maine, applicant C.O. #16-168. Chairman Kenney opened the Public Hearing and asked for the applicant or their representative to present their request to the Board. Robert Platt, Project Manager of Transmission Development of Emera Maine, provided the Planning Board with an overview of the proposed electrical substation. He noted the adjustments made to the location of the project to fit into a wide array of concerns at the site including adjacent neighbors, the Saxl Park Committee, Bangor Land Trust and others. Sharon Sprague, Superintendent of Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, spoke in favor of the rezoning. 2 Lucy Quimby noted she had spent a great deal of time with the Saxl Park Committee and brought in Jim Ring to assist in ironing out the details to meet the requirements of the Park and facilitate the new substation. They were happy in the end that all of the details could be worked out. Mr. Platt noted that the new transformer is intended in part to support Eastern Maine Medical Center’s new tower project. Some of the equipment in the substation will be designated specifically for the hospital’s use. Planner Gould noted that this piece of State property was rezoned in 1994 to Low Density Residential over concerns of a juvenile detention facility being built on the property. Mr. Gould noted that the contract conditions were intended to allow the Institutional substation use without opening the door to a large institutional structure of a height of 80 feet. Board Member Parizo noted that he had a potential conflict of interest as he works for Sargent, who is slated to do some of the project. The remaining Board members voted to excuse Member Parizo from participating in the discussion and vote. Member Williams moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the contract zone change as proposed. Member Boothby seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously to recommend it to the City Council. NEW BUSINESS Item No. 2: Site Development Plan approval to construct a 4,700 square foot convenience store with associated access and parking at 96 State Street in a Contract Downtown Development District. Chairman Kenney asked for the applicant or their representative to present their request to the Board. Attorney Andrew Hamilton introduced the people present to address the project and answer any questions which the Board may have, Sean Thies, PE project engineer, Dan Miller, project architect, Jeff Jeter, Facilities Manager for R. H. Foster, and Robert Tracy Executive Vice President, R.H. Foster. Mr. Hamilton reviewed the basics of the project which is much like the concept shown to the Board at the rezoning. Member Boothby asked if the storm water and sewer are a “combined sewer” at this location. 3 City Engineer John Theriault indicated that this portion of the City is served by a combined sewer. Chair Kenney asked Mr. Theriault if he was concerned about traffic cutting through the lot to short-cut the signal. Mr. Theriault noted it’s a right hand turn so little would be saved, he did not think that would be a prevalent movement. Member Mallar noted that the connections to the sidewalk for handicap accessible persons would require them to go further up Broadway or State Street and enter the store from the access in the back. It was noted that the grades off State and Broadway make a 12:1 ramp infeasible in that location. Chairman Kenney asked why the drive isle was so wide at 28 feet. Mr. Thies indicated some of the delivery trucks require that amount of maneuvering area. Chairman Kenney asked if the plan met the contract condition as to the standard concerning buildings setback. Mr. Kenney shared his measurement of the setback with the applicant team. Mr. Hamilton noted while they had reviewed the plan on multiple occasions this seems to have been missed. He noted that in his opinion the Board could approved the plan with a condition that the detail be fixed. Member Williams made a motion to approve the site plan for RH Foster with the condition that the proposed building be adjusted such that it will meet the Contract Zoning Condition that “Except for the first thirty (30) feet (either side) from the intersection of Broadway and State Street, the building facade along State Street and Broadway shall be set back no further than twenty feet (20) feet. Member Boothby seconded the Motion and the Board voted unanimously to approve the Site Plan with the above noted condition. Mr. Hamilton thanked the Board and noted they would return with a revised plan for th June the 7meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4 Chairman Kenney called for a motion on the Minutes of April 5, 2016. Mr. Boothby noted no minutes were in the packet. Member Parizo indicated that Planning Staff emailed them out on Monday. The Board voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of April 5, 2016. ADJOURNMENT With no other items of discussion the Board adjourned at 7:54.