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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.