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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-03 Planning Board Minutes PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF October 3, 2017 MINUTES Board Members Present: John Kenney, Chairman Charles Boothby Nelson Durgin Phyllis Guerette Dora McCarthy Peter Parizo Chuck LeBlanc, Alternate Member City Staff Present: David G. Gould Sean Gambrel Chairman Kenney called the meeting to order at 7:00pm NEW BUSINESS CONTRACT ZONE CHANGE 1. 416 Stillwater Avenue – Morris L. Fer Petition to amend the Land Development Code of the City of Bangor, Maine, by reclassifying from S&PS Contract district to S&PS Contract district for the property located at 416 Stillwater Ave. Morris Fer, applicant. Chair Kenney opened the public hearing and asked the applicant to present their application. Fred Marshall of Plymouth engineering spoke, representing his client, Morris Fer. Mr. Marshall explained that Mr. Fer had moved from the area and was divesting himself from his holdings, and that the proposed change to the contract was an attempt to make this property more saleable prior to any real estate transaction. Mr. Marshall observed that the area has changed significantly over the past several years and that every other parcel along this stretch of Stillwater Avenue was commercial and had the look and feel of modern commercial development. Generally, the applicant is looking for less restriction on commercial activities, but agrees that certain uses, such as drive-through businesses, gas stations, or warehousing, are probably not appropriate in this location. The applicant has no specific use in mind for this property, he would just like to make it more appealing for a prospective buyer to build similarly to what is adjacent. Chair Kenney asked specifically which uses would be allowed with the contract changes. Mr. Marshall listed the specific uses that would be permitted, which included retail, personal service, restaurant, clinic, office, and several others of the similar character. Member Boothby asked if it could be a problem that the new owner might want additional contract changes after the purchase of the property. Mr. Marshall said that he felt that was unlikely given the size and location of the property, and the compatibility of the proposed allowed uses to surrounding uses. Member Durgin asked if there was any possibility of the driveway changing. Mr. Marshall explained that was unlikely because the adjacent storage facility had an access easement over the driveway and that changing that would be difficult. Chair Kenney asked Planning Officer Gould to share his appraisal of the project. Mr. Gould pointed out that there have been many rezonings in the area and many are contract zone changes. The proposed new contract allows most of the uses allowed in S&PS except for certain high traffic uses such as drive-thrus and gas stations and uses that would have outdoor sales or display. This contract would also allow for a larger building that was not required to have a “residential character”. Chair Kenney asked how this aligned with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gould noted that the area was identified as residential in the plan, but that the area has slowly changed over time. Mr. Gould noted that this was not necessarily unusual; that the plan was now several years old. Member Guerette said that she was comfortable with this change. Member Durgin made a motion that the Board recommend the proposed contract zone change for 416 Stillwater Avenue to the Council for approval. Member Guerette seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. Planning Board approval of Minutes City Planner David Gould presented minutes from the September 5 and September 19 meetings. The Board unanimously approved both documents. Chairman Kenney adjourned the meeting at 7:20pm.