HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-15 Planning Board Minutes
PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 2011
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Miles Theeman, Chairman
Paul Bolin
Charles Boothby, Alternate Member
Doug Damon
John Kenney
John Miller
Andy Sturgeon
Julie Williams
City Staff Present: David Gould
Art Morgan
Peter Witham
Tracy Willette
Dana Wardwell
Lynn Johnson
Chairman Theeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
As no one wished to remove either item from the Consent Agenda, Chairman
Theeman called for a motion. Mr. Sturgeon moved to approve the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Kenney seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The items approved are
as follows:
Item No. 1: Site Development Plan approval to construct a 2,030 sq. ft.
addition to an existing building at 82 Nadine’s Way for use
as office space in an Industry and Service District. N.S.
Giles, Foundations, Inc., applicant.
2
Item No. 2: Site Development Plan approval to construct a 10,992 sq.
ft. building for office and warehouse use at 15 BanAir Road
in an Urban Industry District. Lead Mountain Properties,
applicant.
NEW BUSINESS
Item No. 3: Site Development Plan approval of a leaf composting and
storage facility located on Finson Road in a Rural
Residence and Agricultural District. City of Bangor,
applicant.
City Engineer, Art Morgan, represented the City. He explained that the City
presently has a leaf composting and storage facility at this site which involves placing
the leaves, yard waste, and catch basin grit on the site and rototilling it into the ground.
They have found that this in-ground system is not very efficient. The City is now
proposing to change this to an above-ground system on gravel storage pads. Materials
will be placed on these pads and turned over. Mr. Morgan indicated that the City has
applied to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) for a Solid Waste
Permit. The MDEP has indicated that it intends to issue this permit but as of the time of
this meeting has not done so.
Mr. Bolin asked if there would be any odors emitting from this site. Mr. Morgan
indicated that this is in a remote area and they do not anticipate any more odors than
what exists at the existing facility.
Mr. Damon asked if it is permissible to build anything over the Searsport/
Limestone pipeline which runs through this lot. Mr. Morgan indicated that because the
new composting area will be above ground, it would offer better protection to the
pipeline than the present operation does. However, the pipeline is no longer in service
and it is permissible to build over it.
Planning Officer Gould indicated that this is a straight forward application. This
operation has been in existence for the past two decades. It is a permitted use in the
RR & A District. The Staff memo noted that there has not been an actual land survey
done nor have wetlands been delineated. Mr. Morgan indicated that they have been
working with MDEP and a vernal pool expert. There aren’t any vernal pools within 1000
feet of the site. They proposed to utilize only 2.5 acres of the 6 plus acre site.
Mr. Gould indicated that Staff finds that the plan meets the standards of the
Land Development Code for Site Development Plan approval and recommended
Planning Board approval.
3
Mr. Bolin moved that the Board grant Site Development Plan approval of a leaf
composting and storage facility located on Finson Road in a Rural Residence and
Agricultural District for the City of Bangor with the condition that the City obtains a Solid
Waste Permit from the Maine DEP. Ms. Williams seconded the motion, which passed by
a vote of 7 to 0.
Item No. 4: Site Development Plan approval to fill and grade property
located on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Street in
a Waterfront Development District and a Shoreland Zone.
City of Bangor, applicant.
City Engineer Art Morgan indicated that this is a request to fill and grade a
portion of the City’s waterfront parcel on the corner of Railroad and Main Streets. This
is being done to enhance the spectator area for the Waterfront Concert Series which
will begin again on May 9, 2012. At this time, they are only requesting approval to fill
and grade which will be at approximately a 4% slope. Existing lawn will be replaced
with new lawn. However, before the Waterfront concerts begin again, another site
development plan application will be back before the Board for additional work, as well
as, a Site Location of Development Act Modification application.
Mr. Theeman wanted to go on record that because this project is near
completion it would have been nice to see this earlier in the process.
Planning Officer Gould indicated that this application is to do filling and grading
on this site. Because the plans for improvements to this site have been changing, staff
felt it best to get approval of the fill and grading activity at this time. When changes to
the site are finalized, another plan will come back to the Planning Board for review. Mr.
Gould indicated that the plan as submitted, meets the standards of the Land
Development Code for Site Development Plan approval and Staff recommended
approval.
Mr. Sturgeon moved to approve the Site Development Plan to fill and grade
property located on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Street in a Waterfront
Development District and a Shoreland Zone for the City of Bangor, applicant. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Miller. The motion passed by a vote of 7 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Item No. 5: Planning Board Approval of Minutes.
There were no minutes for consideration. There was no further discussion and
the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.