HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-05 Planning Board Minutes ' .
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PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
, MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5,2002
' MINUTES
' Board Members Present: Richard Fournier, Chairman
Frederick Costlow
David Clark
' Robert Guerette
Hal Wheeler
Robert Lingley
' City Staff Present: Katherine Weber
James Ring
' Peter Witham
David Gould
' Chairman Fournier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. In the absence of Board Member
Bostwick,Associate Members Clark and Guerette were asked to alternate voting beginning with Mr.
Guerette.
IPUBLIC HEARINGS
' Item No. 1: To amend the Land Development Code by changing a parcel of land located at 24
Spruce Street from Urban Residence One District to Contract Neighborhood
Service District. Said parcel containing approgimately 9,900 sq. ft. Steven
' Wegner, applicant.C.O.#02-90.
Chairman Fournier opened the public hearing and asked for any proponents.
, Mr.Andrew Hamilton,Esq. of Eaton Peabody,representing Mr. Wegner and North Country
Management,addressed the Board. Attorney Hamilton indicated that Mr. Wegner was a franchisee for
' several Burger King restaurants a.nd operated the bookkeeping function for his business in his home.
He recently moved his residence out of this building and is now seeking approval to maintain his
business office at this location even though he will no longer resides there.
� Mr. Hamilton indicated that there would be one full-time employee and two part-time
employees at the site. Mr.Hamilton indicated that the proposed contract zone change to
' Neighborhood Service District was very restrictive, and should be consistent with the City's
Comprehensive Plan and with the existing uses in the immediate neighborhood. Mr. Hamilton
discussed the contract conditions with the Board.
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Mr. Guerette asked if 500 square�feet was an accurate assessment of the floor area to be used '
for the business operation. Mr. Hamilton indicated it was an adequate figure, and that it also provided
a small amount of space for expansion of the business. '
Mr. Wheeler asked whether the hours of operation would be compatible with the proposed
business use. Attorney Hamilton indicated that they were happy to work within those standard '
business hours(7:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.).
Mr. Lingley asked Mr. Hamilton to clarify what was intended as the dwelling unit. Mr. ,
Hamilton indicated that there was the potential for an apartment on the second floor which could be
rented.
Chairman Fournier called for any other proponents. There being none,he asked for opponents '
or people with general questions or comments. Mr. Barry Cates indicated that he was present to
represent his mother who resided on Pearl Street. Mr. Cates asked whether the change would cause ,
any increase in traffic on the existing road which is narrow and has little space for on-street parking.
Mr. Hamilton indicated that the applicant felt there was adequate space on-site to handle his '
parking needs. Mr. Wheeler asked if the property would revert back to residential if Mr. Wegner's
office use ceased. Planning Officer Weber indicated that the zoning provisions run with the property,
not the specific owner. She said that if the business uses ceases,the property could revert back to '
residential.
Chairman Fournier asked for Staff comments. Planning Officer Weber indicated that the site '
was previously a residence and a home occupation, and that a sma11 office and an apartment would not
be a significant change in use. Ms Weber indicated that a straight zone change would not be
appropriate for this property,but that the contract zone change with the strict conditions proposed '
should minimize any adverse impacts on the adjacent residential dwellings.
Chairman Fournier closed the public hearing and asked for a motion. After some discussion, ,
Mr. Costlow moved to recommend approval of the contract zone change contained in C.O.#02-90 to
the City Council. Mr. Lingley seconded the motion. The Board voted 5 to 0 in favor of the motion.
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OTHER BUSINESS
Plannin Officer Weber informed the Board that there was some correspondence from the '
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Board of Environmental Protections concerning the Widewaters Stillwater LLC application,and the
upcoming hearing on that application. Ms. Weber also distributed a copy of past staff inemorandums '
concerning the City's Land Use Policy in the Center Street, Congress Street,and Broadway area.
ADJOURNMENT '
There being no fiirther items for discussion,the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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