The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2024-10-15 Planning Board Minutes �� . ��i� � �; �� '� � �'�a"�Q��'� �� __T _ .. �a � o I��V.EL,��E1`�T . � CITY �� BANGCaR. PT.,hNtluI1�IC DIVIS[C�V�I PLANNING BOARD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024, 7:00 P.M. PENOBSCOT ROOM, LOWER FLOOR OF PENQUIS CAP 262 HARLOW STREET MEETING MINUTES Board Members Present: Chair Reese Perkins Vice Chair Ted Brush Michael Bazinet Jonathan Boucher Trish Hayes Janet Sanborn Jonas Jennifer King Donald Meagher Citv Staff Present: Anja Collette, Planning Officer Grace Innis, Assistant Solicitor Brian Scannell, Planning Analyst Chair Perkins called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Chair Perkins introduced the Planning Board and its role and responsibilities. He went on to discuss the structure of the meeting and future meetings. OLD BUSINESS 1. Adoption of Notice of Decision for 759 Ohio Street — County Properties LLC Member Boucher moved to adopt the Notice of Decision for 759 Ohio Street—County Properties LLC, seconded by Vice Chair Brush. Roll call vote conducted -- all voting members in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. 2. Meeting Minutes — October 1, 2024 Vice Chair Brush moved to approve the minutes of October 1, 2024, seconded by Member Boucher. All voting members in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. NEW BUSINESS 3. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Hearing 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 —Tuesday, October i5, 2024 Chair Perkins introduced the agenda item. Planning Officer Anja Collette gave an overview of the proposed amendments. Member Bazinet asked to clarify how affordable housing is defined — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. Chair Perkins asked about housing strategies — Planning Officer Collette responded and gave an overview of these strategies, including reducing barriers, allowing more housing types, and the preliminary housing study recommendations. Chair Perkins opened the public comments —there were none. Public comments closed. Member Bazinet asked about conversion of farmland to solar farms and how this relates to Comprehensive Plan — Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. Bazinet asked if there are any case studies on these strategies specifically for Maine —Collette responded that there were some strategies proposed from various sources, such as colocation, animal grazing, and protecting prime farmland. She went on to reference a Maine specific case-study on colocation with blueberry crops from the Bangor Daily News. Member Boucher moved to recommend to City Council that the proposal to amend the Comprehensive Plan ought to pass. Seconded by Member Bazinet. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS 4. Pre-Approved Building Plans Presentation Planning Officer Collette reported that this item will be on a future agenda. Chair Perkins commented on the draft building plans that were given to Board members. He felt that basements, utilities, and laundry facilities should be included in the plans. Member Bazinet commented on the use of frost walls. 5. Discussion on Land Use Code Update Meetings Planning Officer Collette presented the agenda item and gave an update on the meetings being held regarding updates to the Land Use Code. She discussed public engagement, education, and feedback. Planning Officer Collette reviewed the consultant's schedule and deliverables. Chair Perkins asked for additional clarification regarding the schedule and process— Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. Member Jonas commented on the banner with the QR code in City Hall and expressed that she likes this. Page 2 �4 City of Bangor Planning Division Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday, October i5, 2024 6. Notice of Pending By-Law Amendments Chair Perkins presented the agenda item. Planning Officer Collette presented an additional wording change to the public hearing section. Chair Perkins commented on the timelines for ex parte communications regarding specific applications, and stated that Assistant Solicitor Grace Innis is looking into this. Vice Chair Brush asked for clarification about a section that references acceptance of ineeting agendas, as well as the confirmation of voting members —Chair Perkins and Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified. Brush also asked for clarification about a section that references stating reasons for Board members' votes, and whether these should be given for affirmative votes —Collette responded and clarified. Members Bazinet and Boucher asked for additional clarification about process —Collette responded and clarified the recommendation. Bazinet stated that he does not feel statements of reasoning should be required for affirmative votes citing complexity; Brush expressed agreement with this. Board members discussed and agreed to strike this requirement. Chair Perkins noted that Board members can request discussion and/or voting on any changes to meeting agendas. Member Boucher commented on the section on voting in officers of the Board and requested additional details and clarification be added to this section. Chair Perkins responded and discussed ideas for the voting process; Assistant Solicitor Innis added additional clarification about the legal requirements for this process. Board members discussed at length. Member Bazinet asked about reference to the clerk in the by-laws — Planning Officer Collette clarified that this refers to the City Clerk. Chair Perkins and Planning Officer Collette clarified the remaining process for finalizing the by-law amendments. 7. Additional Business Chair Perkins requested to discuss a news article regarding the recently approved Aroma Joe's project. Assistant Solicitor Innis presented an overview of the article and pending litigation regarding this project. Stated that she will tentatively plan on holding an executive session at the next Board meeting to provide further details. Board members discussed at length with Innis. Chair Perkins reported that Member Meagher is resigning from the Board and expressed gratitude for his work on the Board. Chair Perkins reminded Board members that there will only be one meeting in November. Planning Officer Collette provided an overview of the proposed agenda items for this meeting and asked if the Board wanted to Page 3� 4 City of Bangor Planning Division Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday, October i5, 2024 consider scheduling a second meeting in November. Board members discussed and agreed to forgo scheduling a second meeting for now. Member Boucher provided feedback from his attendance at the MMA planning board training, and expressed gratitude for the work of staff and the Board. Recommended the training to other Board members. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Maquillan, Development Assistant Planning Division Page 4�4