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Home My WebLink About2021-12-21 Planning Board Minutes PLANNING BOARD AGENDA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021, 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEETING MINUTES Board Members Present:Reese Perkins, Vice Chair Michael Bazinet Ted Brush John Kenney Donald Meagher Lisa Shaw City Staff Present: Anja Collette, Planning Analyst Anne Krieg, Planning Officer David Szewczyk, City Solicitor John Theriault, City Engineer Vice Chair Perkins called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND MAP AMENDMENT PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Zone Change – Maine Business Enterprise Park – Venture Way, Corporate Drive, Texas Avenue – Government & Institutional Service (G&ISD) District - To Amend Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map by Assigning the Government and Institutional Service District (G&ISD) to the parcel of land recently created in the Maine Business Enterprise Park on property bounded by Venture Way, Corporate Drive and Texas Avenue. Total parcel of land is 0.54 acres. John Theriault, City Engineer, presented the application on behalf of the City of Bangor and provided the following: Presented modifications a couple weeks ago Lot is part of old right of way that was discontinued; the new parcel has no zone G&ISD zoning requested; approx. ½ acre o Bangor Water District will be placing pump station on this parcel to upgrade area Planning Officer Krieg indicated that the use is for the water district, which comes under the Government & Institutional Service District. There were changes recently to the text for this district to allow for this building to be located there. A lot was created to house this to not take from other possible developments in Maine Business Enterprise Park. There were no public comments for or against the project. 73 HARLOW STREET, BANGOR, ME 04401 TELEPHONE: (207) 992-4280 FAX: (207) 945-4447 WWW.BANGORMAINE.GOV City of Bangor Planning Division Planning Board Meeting Minutes – December 21, 2021 Member Shaw movedrecommendation to City Councilto amend Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map by assigning the Government and Institutional Service District (G&ISD) to the parcel of land recently created in the Maine Business Enterprise Park on property bounded by Venture Way, Corporate Drive and Texas Avenue. Total parcel of land is 0.54 acres. The motion was seconded by Member Meagher. All members present in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMITS 2. Land Development Permit Application for Site Development Plan Conditional Use – 1109 Broadway –Map-Lot R40-006-E –Shopping & Personal Service (S&PS) District – Applicant/Owner; Gifford’s Ice Cream, Agent; Haley Ward -Land Development Permit Application for Site Development Plan Conditional Use – for proposed construction of 135 sq. ft. addition to existing building to serve as a drive-thru and updates to existing parking and green spaces at property located at 1109 Broadway, Map-Lot R40-006-E, in the Shopping & Personal Service (S&PS) District. Applicant; Gifford’s Ice Cream, Agent; Haley Ward. Sean Thies, PE, of Haley Ward, representing applicant, presented the following: An earlier zone change this year on this parcel removed the contract zoning Proposing to improve the building and traffic circulation, and add a drive thru window There will be an extensive vehicle queueing area Will add landscaping to prevent vehicles from driving though specific areas, as well as landscaping for buffering lot lines Will have expanded outdoor space in rear for additional seating Loading zone added Proposing general site improvements around the lot, such as removal of unnecessary pavement and addition of pavement in certain spaces 3 existing flood lights to be replaced with LED fixtures around property Proposing a wall off corner of building between drive thru exit and pedestrian waiting area. Will be a “wall/planter”, not sure of details at this time, but will be an approximately 42” high wall, 12’ off front of building. There is a short decorative fence there that will be changed out to the wall. Addressed traffic- not anticipating a significant increase with addition of drive-thru Discussed tree concerns with abutting property; will limb up or removal of trees to improve visibility existing gas station to the north Vice Chair Perkins asked about the tree issue and the emails regarding this. City Engineer, John Theriault, stated that the visibility issue is for the gas station due to the low limbs on the pine tree. Stated that the applicants can remove the tree, but they would have to replace it to meet buffer requirements and that they could just limb up the tree to improve visibility. Vice Chair Perkins confirmed that everyone Page 2 | 5 City of Bangor Planning Division Planning Board Meeting Minutes – December 21, 2021 was on board with this, but that it’s just a matter of working with the City to make sure the issue is addressed. There were no staff comments and/or concerns. There was no public comment, for or against. Member Shaw asked the City Engineer to connect the dots with regard to how the trees are connected to the site plan. The City Engineer indicated that it’s for safety in the area since both driveways see a lot of traffic. If the applicants are here asking for approval, thinks it’s fair to say “yes, we’re good with your project, but if you could improve the safety and limb those trees up, that would be helpful”. Member Shaw asked if problem was exacerbated by this project, City Engineer said it was not, that it’s an existing issue. This is the opportune time for the City to ask them to do this since they’re making changes to the site. It’s an existing condition; it’s not making the situation worse, but it’s a safety issue. Being good neighbors, we want to improve everyone’s safety. Member Brush inquired about making this a condition of approval. Staff is requesting that this be conditioned. Member Bazinet had question for the City Engineer about the City at some point altering that stretch of Broadway to limit turns. The City Engineer suspects that an island will be placed along Broadway in the center. Unsure when that will happen. It could happen when intersection upgrades or sidewalks occur in that area. Member Bazinet was concerned about making a left hand turn due to proximity of the light being near oncoming traffic; it’s hard to gauge the distance if you’re going left. Member Shaw inquired if the traffic light could be adjusted – City Engineer indicated that it is a busy intersection, suspects that it’s designed to handle the traffic as they come to the approaches the best that it can, given the geometry of the intersection. Could take a look at it this summer when traffic volumes are higher. If it becomes problematic, it can be adjusted. It’s a stand-alone intersection, not tied to anything else, so would be easy to put a timer in there to take care of that queue. Hoping that it’s already operating optimally. Member Shaw also asked about the tree trimming- are we asking them to cut the limbs or do they need to maintain the tree continually? City Engineer stated that once it’s trimmed, it’ll be several years before it’s problematic again. Also, limbs are in the right of way. If the City is notified of an issue, the City can do it as well. Just wants the applicant to do it now because if they’re doing work out there, they can take care of it. Member Shaw clarified that she was inquiring on whether to word the condition for this one- time event. City Engineer recommended making it for this one time. Member Shaw moved to approve the Land Development Permit Application for Site Development Plan Conditional Use – for proposed construction of 135 sq. ft. addition to existing building to serve as a drive- thru and updates to existing parking and green spaces at property located at 1109 Broadway, Map-Lot R40-006-E, in the Shopping & Personal Service (S&PS) District. Applicant; Gifford’s Ice Cream, Agent; Page 3 | 5 City of Bangor Planning Division Planning Board Meeting Minutes – December 21, 2021 Haley Ward, with condition that cedar tree indicated on the Gifford’s property is limbed up to approximately 10’ feet prior to issuance of COO. The motion was seconded by Member Brush. All members in favor. None opposed. Motion carries. 3. Land Development Permit Application for Site Development Plan – 1476 Broadway – Map-Lot R31-011 – Government & Institutional Service (G&ISD) District – Applicant/Owner: Cross Point Church, Agent; DP Porter c/o Jason Stutheit - Land Development Permit Application for Site Development Plan approval for proposed 8,500 sq. ft. solar array at property located at Map-Lot R32- 016-C in the Government & Institutional Service (G&ISD) District. Applicant; Cross Point Church, Agent; DP Porter c/o Jason Stutheit. Jason Stutheit with DP Porter representing the applicant provided the following in part and in substance: 8,500 sq. ft. solar array Access road around the radio station would be used to access solar field Underground electric connected to radio station, behind the meter installation; nothing happening at the road, all work would be happening on Cross Point property No lighting to be added No trees to be cut, terrain to be maintained the same way as present The array will serve approximately half of their usage Existing tree buffers go around all sides of the parcel The array will be on an unused field; will bush hog and make use out of it The project will offset utility costs for the church, school, and radio station There was no public comment, for or against the project. Planning Board members discussed square footage requirements and bonds for decommissioning. Planning Officer Krieg will look into future language on sizing/square footage requirements. Member Brush moved to approve the Land Development Permit Application for Site Development Plan for proposed 8,500 sq. ft. solar array at property located at Map-Lot R32-016-C in the Government & Institutional Service (G&ISD) District. Applicant; Cross Point Church, Agent; DP Porter c/o Jason Stutheit. The motion was seconded by Member Kenney. All members in favor, none opposed. Motion carries. OTHER BUSINESS 4. Comprehensive Plan Updates Business & Economic Development Committee – Consultants are coming to meeting on January 4, 2022 at 5:15 P.M. to hear from members, review the work plan, and start discussions; Economic Development Strategy also to be discussed at this meeting. Page 4 | 5 City of Bangor Planning Division Planning Board Meeting Minutes – December 21, 2021 Lecture series for winter months via Zoom –Attended Planning Conference in Burlington in October, heard about cool projects, and thought it would be beneficial and a creative way to engage the citizens to have these projects presented to the public. 5. Meeting Minutes – Member Meagher moved to approve the December 7, 2021 meeting minutes pending no changes, seconded by Member Bazinet. 6. Adjournment: 7:41 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Melissa L. Bickford Development Assistant Planning Department Page 5 | 5