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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-04 Planning Board Minutes PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF OCTOBER 4, 2011 MINUTES Board Members Present: Miles Theeman, Chairman Paul Bolin John Miller John Kenney Andrew Sturgeon Charles Boothby, Alternate Member City Staff Present: David Gould Chairman Theeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Chair Theeman noted in the absence of Members Williams and Damon, Alternate Member Boothby could vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Item No. 1: To amend the Land Development Code by changing part of a parcel of land located at 107 Court Street from Urban Residence 2 District to Multi-Family and Service District. Said part of a parcel containing approximately 42,000 sq. ft. Prentiss & Carlisle Co., Inc., applicant. C.O. # 11-291. Board Member Sturgeon disclosed that his firm was working with Prentiss and Carlisle but they did not represent them on this rezoning application. The remaining Board Members voted that Mr. Sturgeon did not have a conflict of interest. Chairman Theeman opened the Public Hearing and asked the applicant to make a brief presentation. Mr. Ben Carlisle of Prentiss & Carlisle indicated that they had been working with the City Staff to find a way to expand their office building on Court Street. The rezoning to M&SD along with some other changes should enable them to proceed. 2 There were no other proponents or opponents to the rezoning request. Chairman Theeman closed the Public Hearing and asked for Staff comments. Planning Officer David Gould indicated that the City had discussed several options available to Prentiss & Carlisle concerning their potential expansion. While a rezoning to a commercial district would be difficult, even if it contained contract conditions, the designation of the historic property (William Augustus Blake House) as a historic landmark coupled with a rezoning to Multi-family and Service District (M&SD) and a revision to the Arterial Street requirement would create an opportunity for Prentiss & Carlisle to expand. Mr. Gould noted the Comprehensive Plan designates the property as high density residential and URD-2, specifically. The more restrictive zoning policy was part of a city-wide attempt to curtail the conversion of single-family homes into multi-unit buildings in the City’s core. Recently, the Planning Office has supported limited new multi-family projects where such reconstruction would eliminate an older nonconformity or an abandoned building. The Knights of Columbus building next door was an example of allowing the building to be rezoned to M&SD and to rehabilitate the old K of C Hall. The development density of this parcel is largely controlled by the Shoreland Zoning density limitations due to its frontage on the Kenduskeag Stream. In this instance the building has been Prentiss & Carlisle’s corporate headquarters since 1947. This historic structure is now protected from any inconsistent exterior changes. It is Staff’s view that the rezoning represents a win-win situation. The City will get to review any exterior changes to the historic building and Prentiss & Carlisle will get to expand their office space. While there has been a good deal of functional obsolescence on Court Street, Prentiss & Carlisle has been one continuous and steady influence to help improve conditions of the neighborhood. Chairman Theeman asked for a motion. Mr. Kenney moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the zone change request contained in C.O. # 11-291, 107 Court Street, Prentiss& Carlisle. Mr. Boothby seconded the motion which passed by a vote of 6 to 0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Item No. 2: Approval of Minutes. Mr. Boothby moved to approve the Minutes of September 20, 2011 Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bolin, and it passed unanimously. There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.