HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-02 Planning Board Minutes
PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 2010
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Allie Brown, Chairman
Paul Bolin
Doug Damon
John Kenney
John Miller
Andy Sturgeon
Julie Williams, Alternate Member
City Staff Present: David Gould
Jim Ring
Peter Witham
Lynn Johnson
Chairman Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She explained the
procedures for conducting public hearings for the benefit of the audience. In the absence
of Board Member Theeman, Alternate Member Williams was asked to vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item No. 1: Conditional Use/Site Development Plan approvals to
construct 22 attached residential dwellings in a Low
Density Residential District and Site Location of
Development Approval for the 24 existing and the 22
proposed attached residential dwellings at 745 Mount Hope
Avenue. Meadowbrook Ridge, LLC, applicant.
Chairman Brown indicated that this item was continued from the Board’s October
th
19 meeting. She reopened the item and asked for the applicant’s presentation. Mr. Fred
Marshall with Plymouth Engineering, as well as, Julie Sites and Diane Pearson with
Meadowbrook Ridge, LLC were present in support of the application. Mr. Marshall
indicated that at the previous meeting there was information regarding Impervious
Surface Ratio and Stormwater calculations that was not complete. Since that meeting,
revised plans have been submitted addressing these items. He noted that the Staff
Memorandum indicated that they had not yet met the Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR)
requirements as they were proposed at .3005 and the maximum is .3. After reworking the
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site by reducing the width of the roadway in the latest phase of the development from 24’
to 22’ and making some other modifications, the ISR is now at .299 which is just under
the .3 requirement. Mr. Marshall discussed the proposed stormwater plan noting that they
are proposing to use underdrain storm filters. He felt that by doing so it would be better
to treat the stormwater in stages rather that all at once. Also submitted was a copy of the
proposed Stormwater Maintenance Plan.
Mr. John Logan, 129 Chickadee Lane asked if the retaining walls were taken into
account in determining the impervious area. Mr. Gould indicated that on a plan such as
this the City relies on the applicant’s engineer to provide correct calculations. If there is a
mistake it is at their peril.
Chairman Brown closed the Public Hearing and asked for Staff comments. Planning
Officer Gould indicated that the applicant is requesting Conditional Use/Site Development
Plan approval to construct 22 attached residential units (Phase III) and Site Development
Plan and Site Location of Development Act approval for the entire site. Mr. Gould
discussed the Impervious Surface Ratio. Since the time that the Staff Memorandum was
written and distributed to the Board, Mr. Marshall submitted revised plans correcting the
IRS so that it is now indicated at .299. The density of the proposed units of Phase III is
below Ordinance standards. The units are concentrated but this is what the Ordinance
encourages people to do. There was also some discussion about the closeness of the
units. It was pointed out in the Staff Memorandum that there is a provision in the Land
Development Code that talks about this type of project where there are multiple buildings
on one lot. The Ordinance says that the Planning Board has full authority to readjust that
yard space in between buildings if they think that is for the good of the development. The
whole intent of cluster development is to try to make the footprint smaller and compact
the development. Mr. Gould noted that there isn’t any “wiggle room” in the plan for any
additional impervious area (such as for sidewalks). The plans, as submitted, meet
ordinance and submittal requirements and Staff recommended approval.
Mr. Bolin asked if decks would be considered a part of the ISR. Mr. Gould indicated
that if they were up above the ground and had green space below them he did not believe
that they would be counted as ISR. Mr. Damon asked if this project met the requirements
of the Fire Department as the roadway has been narrowed. Mr. Gould indicated that the
Fire Prevention people have reviewed this and have no issues with it. He noted that their
general standard is 20 feet of pavement. Chairman Brown asked about snow removal as
there doesn’t appear to be much room for snow. Mr. Marshall indicated that there are
areas throughout the site where snow could be piled up. Ms. Sites indicated that when
the snow banks are too high, they hire a front end loader to haul it away.
Mr. Kenney moved that the Board grant Conditional Use approval to construct 22
attached residential dwellings in a Low Density Residential District at 745 Mt. Hope
Avenue. Mr. Bolin seconded the motion. The Board voted 7 to 0 in favor. Mr. Kenney
moved that the Board grant Site Development Plan approval to construct 22 attached
residential dwellings in a Low Density Residential District and for the 24 existing attached
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residential dwellings at 745 Mount Hope Avenue for Meadowbrook Ridge, LLC, applicant.
Mr. Bolin seconded the motion. The Board voted 7 to 0 in favor. Mr. Kenney then moved
to approve the Site Location of Development Act application for the proposed 22 attached
residential dwellings and the 24 existing at 745 Mt. Hope Avenue in a Low Density
Residential District for Meadowbrook Ridge, LLC, applicant. Mr. Bolin seconded the motion
and it passed by a vote of 7 to 0.
NEW BUSINESS
Item No. 2: Site Development Plan approval to construct a 384 sq. ft.
storage shed and a 576 sq. ft. garage at 340 Bomarc Road
in an Urban Industry District. United States Cellular
Corporation, applicant.
Mr. Mark Hinkley, Operations Manager, with U.S. Cellular Corporation was present
to answer questions of the Board. Mr. Bolin asked if revised plans had been submitted
addressing Staff concerns regarding buffering.
Planning Officer Gould indicated that this is a fairly simple project. He said that
through many decades of experience Staff has found that when things aren’t put on a plan
correctly or clearly, often times they are not done on the site. Staff called the consultants
and explained to them that Staff finds it very important to include all of the details on the
site on the plans. They submitted revised plans that are now in order and Staff
recommended Site Development Plan approval.
Mr. Bolin moved to approve the Site Development Plan to construct a 384 sq. ft.
storage shed and a 576 sq. ft. garage at 340 Bomarc Road in an Urban Industry District
for United States Cellular Corporation. Mr. Miller seconded the motion, which passed by a
vote of 7 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Item No. 3: Planning Board Approval of Minutes of October 5, 2010 and
October 19, 2010 Meetings.
Mr. Bolin moved to approve the Minutes of the October 5, 2010 Meeting and the
October 19, 2010 Meeting. Mr. Sturgeon seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of
7 to 0.
There were no further items for discussion and the meeting was adjourned at 7:30
p.m.