HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-04 Planning Board Minutes
PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2003
MINUTES
Board Members Present: Richard Fournier, Chairman
Robert Guerette
David Clark
Frederick Costlow
Hal Wheeler
Ryan King
Bill Masters
City Staff Present: David Gould
Peter Witham
Katherine Weber
News Media Present: None
Chairman Fournier opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
As no one wished to remove the item for discussion, Chairman Fournier asked for a motion.
Mr. Guerette moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Costlow seconded the motion. The Board
voted 5 to 0 in favor of the motion to approve. The item approved is:
Item No. 1: Site Development Plan Approval to construct a 4550-square foot addition to the
existing building located at 366 Griffin Road in a General Commercial and
Service District. Union Street Athletics, applicant.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item No. 2: To amend the Land Development Code by changing two parcels of land located
at 1101 and 1173 Stillwater Avenue from Rural Residence and Agriculture
District and Shopping and Personal Service District to General Commercial
and Service District. Said parcels containing approximately 49.67 acres. New
First Hartford Realty Corp., applicant. C.O. # 03-95.
Chairman Fournier opened the Public Hearing and asked if a representative of the applicant
would make a brief presentation. Attorney Tim Woodcock, representing New First Hartford Realty
Corporation, addressed the Board. Mr. Woodcock indicated that the area proposed to be changed
was essentially two parcels with some of the land area in a Rural Residence and Agriculture District
and some of the land area in a Shopping and Personal Service District. Mr. Woodcock indicated
that all the land is proposed to be rezoned to General Commercial and Service District. The total
land area is 49.67 acres. Mr. Woodcock noted that the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use
Policy Map indicate this area for commercial development and that the City’s Zoning Policy Map
designates this area as General Commercial and Service Zoning District.
Mr. Clark asked if it was their intention to further subdivide this property, or to do one large
development. Attorney Woodcock indicated that the applicant had not finalized any development
agreements but there would likely be more than one tenant.
The Chairman asked for any other proponents. Mrs. Hope Brogunier indicated that she was
present representing BACORD and indicated the group’s support of this application. She noted that
the applicant had contacted them and indicated a willingness to work with them. She indicated that
the group appreciated the effort made by the developer, and that BACORD had no concerns at this
time.
The Chairman then called for opponents. There being none, Chairman Fournier closed the
Public Hearing, and asked for Staff comments. Planning Officer Weber indicated that the
application was for two parcels to be rezoned. Ms. Weber indicated the location of the parcels on an
aerial photo. Ms. Weber highlighted the existing zoning in the area, the Comprehensive Plan’s
Land Use Policy Map that indicates this area for future commercial development. Planning Officer
Weber told the Board that the Staff recommended that the Planning Board recommend to the City
Council adoption of the proposed zone change.
Mr. Costlow asked the Planning Officer why would we change the zoning from Shopping
and Personal Service to General Commercial and Service. Ms. Weber indicated that the applicant
may be better able to answer that question since they are requesting the zone change from S & PS to
GC&S. Chairman Fournier asked if there were existing houses on Chase Road. Ms. Weber noted
that there were several existing houses along Chase Road. Mr. Guerette asked if there was a house
on one of the parcels and what would become of it. Attorney Woodcock indicated that the applicant
has acquired the house on the property, but that it would not be occupied. Mr. Woodcock indicated
that the developer has plans that require certain uses in the GC&S zone, hence the requested zone
change.
Mr. Wheeler asked why Staff could not answer the question as to why the GC&S District.
Ms. Weber indicated that the applicant was present to address this issue, and that, presently, there is
no specific plan before the Board. Mr. Guerette asked why there were no residential opponents
from Chase Road in attendance. Mr. Woodcock noted that the applicant made an effort to contact
all the abutting property owners on Chase Road. He indicated that no one that they had contacted
had indicated a concern with the proposal.
Mr. Masters asked if Mr. Waugh could address any possible traffic impacts from the
development. Chairman Fournier indicated it would be inappropriate to review traffic issues at this
point, and that those issues would be better addressed in the site plan review.
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As there was no further discussion, Mr. Costlow moved to recommend that Council
Ordinance # 03-95 be adopted by the City Council. Mr. Guerette seconded the motion. The Board
voted 5 to 0 in favor of the motion recommending that the City Council adopted C.O. # 03-95 to
amend the Land Development Code by changing two parcels of land located at 1101 and 1173
Stillwater Avenue from Rural Residence and Agriculture District and Shopping and Personal
Service District to General Commercial and Service District.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Item No. 5: Planning Board Approval of Minutes.
Chairman Fournier noted that the Board had two sets of Minutes to approve, namely, the
Minutes of February 4, 2003, and those of February 18, 2003. Mr. Guerette moved to approve the
Minutes of the February 4, 2003 Meeting. Mr. Clark seconded the motion. The Board voted 5 in
favor and 0 opposed to approve the Minutes of the February 4, 2003 Meeting.
Mr. Costlow then moved to approve the Minutes of the February 18, 2003 Meeting. Mr.
Wheeler requested that the Minutes be adjusted to read “…based on his membership on the
Council” in lieu of “…based on his desire to serve the City.” for the last sentence of the third
paragraph on page 8. Mr. Costlow accepted the motion to amend as stated by Mr. Wheeler. Mr.
Clark seconded the motion as amended, and the Board voted 5 in favor and 0 opposed to approve
the Minutes of the February 18, 2003, as amended.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
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