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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-15 Planning Board Minutes COMMUNITY&ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING DIVISION PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR MEETING OF May 15, 2018 MINUTES Board Members Present: Charles Boothby, Chairman Edwin Brush Nelson Durgin Phyllis Guerette Ken Huhn Pete Parizo Lisa Shaw, Alternate Member City Staff Present: Sean Gambrel, Planning Staff John Theriault, City Engineer Chair Boothby called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1.To amend the Land Development Code by changing part of a parcel of land located at 208 Maine Avenue from Industry and Service District (I&S) to Airport Development District (ADD). Said parcel of land containing approximately 1.05 acres of land. City of Bangor School Department, applicant. Chair Boothby asked the applicant or their representative to provide the Board a brief overview of the project. Mr. Alan Kochis of the Bangor School Department presented the application, noting the current and projected growth of the Bangor Regional Program. The current program operates in one permanent building and an adjacent portable classroom, with another portable classroom proposed for next school year. The eventual plan is to construct a permanent building to house all students in one facility. The property is owned by the City and leased to the School department. The zoning is currently partially ADD and I&S on the leased parcel. Chair Boothby asked why this rezoning was necessary, and noted that he thought a school was not particularly fitting in an Airport-oriented zone. Ms. Tanya Emery, Director of Community and Economic Development, indicated that the I&S Zone did not allow for a school, but the ADD district did – originally it was envisioned for an aviation-based school, but the regional program has been a successful long-term tenant in this location. The goal is to rezone the entire lease parcel to allow for future growth. Chair Boothby asked for public comment. No member of the public spoke in regard to the request. Planning Staff Sean Gambrel noted that this request was quite similar to the applicant’s recent request. Mr. Gambrel noted that the original vision for the Maine Business Enterprise Park on the westerly side of Maine Avenue have not materialized and that the City has been pursuing other appropriate uses for this area. The school has been a successful fit in this location for a number of years. This rezoning will also allow the Airport to appropriately separate airfield access from the school use. Member Huhn made a motion to recommend the City Council adopt C.O. #18-192, amending the Zoning at 208 Maine Avenue from I&S to ADD. Member Durgin seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor to recommend C. O. #18-192. NEW BUSINESS 1.Land Development Permit Application – Site Development Plan –– St. Xavier’s – construct 4 additional parking spots for tenant and guest use at 119 Somerset Street in a Government & Institutional Service District (G&ISD). Chair Boothby asked the applicant or their representative to provide the Board a brief overview of the project. No applicant was present to describe the proposal to the Board. Chair Boothby asked for Staff Review in place of the applicant’s presentation. Planning Staff Sean Gambrel explained that this project was relatively minor in scope, the construction of a small parking area containing eight spaces and a vacant lot which had previously contained a house many years ago. Mr. Gambrel noted that the parking area would be served by a one-way inbound drive and utilize the existing driveway to St. Xavier’s as the exit. He noted that no landscape buffers were required on this property, though there was a clause in the land use ordinance that allowed the Board to add them if there was concern about impacts on neighboring properties. Chair Boothby noted that the parking area was very close to the property line. Mr. Gambrel added that the home on the adjacent property was also quite close to the line on it’s side. Member Guerette asked if staff had heard any concerns from neighbors. Mr. Gambrel said that he was unaware of any negative comments on this application. Member Brush asked if there was on-street parking in this area that could be used instead. Mr. Gambrel stated that he wasn’t sure but expected that on-street parking would be allowed on Somerset Street. Member Durgin made a motion to approve the application for Site Development Plan for St. Xavier’s Apartments at 119 Somerset Street. Member Guerette seconded the motion. The Board voted 7 in favor and 1 opposed to the motion, thus the Site Development Plan was approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. Planning Board approval of Minutes th The minutes of the May 1meeting were approved unanimously. With no further items, the Board adjourned at 7:18.