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PLANVUII�IG DIVIS[C7V�7
PLANNING BOARD
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2026, 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1ST FLOOR OF CITY HALL
73 HARLOW STREET
MEETING MINUTES
Board Members Present: Chair Jonathan Boucher
Vice Chair Janet Jonas
Ted Brush
Greg Hobson
Ken Huhn
Ross Whitford
Citv Staff Present: Matt Altiero, Planning Analyst
Anja Collette, Planning Officer
Jefferson Davis, City Engineer
David Szewczyk, City Solicitor
Chair Boucher called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Meeting Minutes —April 7, 2026
Member Huhn moved to approve the minutes of April 7, 2026, seconded by Member Jonas. All voting
members in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING - LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS
2. Zone Chanqe — 355 Maine Avenue — Map-Lot R25-001-B — Government &
Institutional Service District (G&ISD) to Shoppinq & Personal Service District
S( &PS) _ To amend the Land Development Code by changing a portion of a parcel of
land, located at 355 Maine Avenue from Government & Institutional Service District
(G&ISD) to Shopping & Personal Service District (S&PS). Said area of land contains
approximately 2.48 acres total and is more particularly indicated on the map attached
hereto and made part hereof. Applicant: Totem 2.0 LLC. Owner: University of Maine
Systems.
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,April 2i, 2026
Chair Boucher introduced the agenda item.
Chair Boucher raised a possible conflict of interest due to the University of Maine Systems being his
employer and asked staff for guidance. City Solicitor Szewcyzk responded and clarified the types of
conflict of interest. Boucher discussed his employment and asked if the Board had any questions.
Member Huhn moved that no conflict of interest exists. Seconded by Member Hobson.
Member Jonas asked for clarification on what institutes a conflict of interest given a previous conflict
Bangor City Council voted on. City Solicitor Szewcyzk responded and clarified.
Roll call voted conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Applicant Susan Brooks presented to the podium and provided an overview of the application.
Chair Boucher asked staff for any comments —there were none.
Chair Boucher asked the Board for any questions or comments —there were none.
Chair Boucher opened the public comments —there were none. Public comments closed.
Member Brush said he sees the application as spot zoning, but is in favor of the change. Member Jonas
agreed with Brush and responded that the future land use map indicates that this area would be
residential. Planning Officer Collette responded and clarified that there is legal and illegal spot zoning.
Legal spot zoning needs to align with the Comprehensive Plan and needs to benefit the public. Collette
stated that this land use area did have a provision for commercial and institutional uses that would be
complementary to residential uses and stated that when staff recommended this zone to the applicants,
one consideration was that the Board had approved changes to S&PS for lots on Broadway that were in
the same future land use area in the Plan. Chair Boucher asked staff if other zones were considered.
Collette responded no and that S&PS is the zone that would allow all the uses the applicant wanted and
was located nearby.
Member Huhn moved that the Board recommend to City Council that the proposal to amend the Land
Development Code by changing a portion of a parcel of land, located on 355 Maine Avenue at Map-Lot
R25-001-B, from Government and Institutional Service District (G&ISD) to Shopping and Personal
Service District (S&PS) ought to pass. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted — all in
favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARING — LAND DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
3. Land Development Permit — Major Final Subdivision — 2645 Broadwav — Map-Lot
R11-013 - Land Development Permit Application — Major Final Subdivision approval for
development of 26 residential rental units (13 duplex buildings) with associated parking
& access drive at property located at 2645 Broadway, Map-Lot R11-013, in the Rural
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City of Bangor Planning Division
Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday,April 2i, 2026
Residence & Agricultural District (RR&A) and Contract Shopping & Personal Services
District (S&PS*). Applicant/Owner: Steel Magnolia, LLC.
Chair Boucher introduced the agenda item.
Member Jonas moved that the Board find that the application was deemed complete on April 21, 2026,
the applicant paid all applicable fees, the proposed project is a Final Major Subdivision, and the plat was
reviewed by the Engineering Department and a written report was received from the City Engineer on
April 16, 2026. Seconded by Member Whitford. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed.
Motion passed.
Applicant Representative Aimee Young presented to the podium and provided an overview of the
application.
Chair Boucher asked staff for any comments —there were none.
Chair Boucher asked the Board for any questions or comments —there were none.
Chair Boucher provided the option to the applicant that they can postpone if they would like due to the
Board only having 6 members present. Applicant Representative Aimee Young asked to move forward.
Chair Boucher opened the public comments —there were none. Public comments closed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied Land
Development Code §165-128G(1)'s requirements by providing a final plat for a major subdivision with
the necessary contents of§165-128E(4). Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted—all in
favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 7 and 9, the applicant satisfied Land
Development Code §165-128G(3)'s requirement for the plan to be reviewed by the City Engineer for
compliance with health, sanitation and engineering standards, and for receiving written approval from the
City Engineer. Seconded by Member Jonas. Roll call vote conducted—all in favor, none opposed. Motion
passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2 and 5, the applicant satisfied Land
Development Code §165-128G(4)'s requirement for meeting the standards for preliminary plat approval
and §165-128G(5)'s requirement that the plan not be substantively changed from the preliminary
subdivision plat. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed.
Motion passed.
Member Hobson moved that the Board finds that the project meets the requirements for a Final Major
Subdivision and therefore, the Board grants the Land Development Permit for the proposed Project.
Seconded by Member Brush. The Board finds that the project meets the requirements for a Final Major
Subdivision and therefore, the Board grants the Land Development Permit for the proposed Project.
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City of Bangor Planning Division
Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday,April 2i, 2026
4. Land Development Permit—Major Site Development and Conditional Use—96 State
Street — Map-Lot 049-022 - Land Development Permit Application — Major Site
Development and Conditional Use for the demolition of the existing building and
construction of a 3,647sqft bank with a remote, two-lane drive-thru with a roof canopy,
and 18 parking spaces at a property located at 96 State Street, Map-Lot 049-022, in
Contract Downtown Development District (DDD*) and Urban Service District (USD)
zones. Applicant/Owner: The County Federal Credit Union.
Chair Boucher introduced the agenda item. Boucher asked the applicant if they would like to postpone
the application due to there only being 6 Board members.
Member Brush moved that the Board find that the application was deemed complete on April 21, 2026,
the applicant paid all applicable fees, and the proposed project is a Major Site Development and
Conditional Use. Seconded by Member Jonas. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed.
Motion passed.
Applicant Representative David Woodward presented via Zoom and provided an overview of the
application.
Chair Boucher asked staff for any comments —there were none.
Chair Boucher asked the Board for any questions or comments —there were none.
Chair Boucher asked staff if there was any thought given to prevent traffic cutting through the proposed
development in order to skip the traffic light. City Engineer Davis informed the Board that open sites have
more issues with cross-through traffic rather than more contained, closed lots like the one presented.
Davis added he does not see any issues with this. Boucher added that it does seem to be challenging to
cut through. Applicant Representative Woodward added the building will be blocking an easily accessible
cut through.
Chair Boucher opened the public comments —there were none. Public comments closed.
Member Hobson moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibit 2 and 12, the applicant satisfied §165-
33.1 of the Land Development Code regarding best management practices of Erosion and Sediment
Control. Seconded by Member Jonas. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion
passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied §165-64's
requirements for side yard width and §165-68's requirements of minimum lot frontage. Seconded by
Brush. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 26, and 27, the applicant satisfied
§165-72 of the Land Development Code regarding the required number of parking spaces, §165-73's
requirements regarding parking area location and screening, and §165-74's requirements regarding
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City of Bangor Planning Division
Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday,April 2i, 2026
parking area design, construction and maintenance. Seconded by Member Brush. Roll call vote
conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 28, and 29, the applicant satisfied
§165-79 of the Land Development Code regarding providing the necessary utility services required, §165-
80's requirements regarding providing adequate water and sewerage services, and 165-83's
requirements regarding providing adequate electrical service. Seconded by Member Huhn. Roll call vote
conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Hobson moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 9, and 26, the applicant satisfied
§165-81 of the Land Development Code regarding providing adequate lighting and preventing light
pollution and trespass. Seconded by Member Jonas. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none
opposed. Motion passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2 and 30, the applicant satisfied §165-
82's requirements regarding having adequate fire protection. Seconded by Member Brush. Roll call vote
conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 11, 12, and 28, the applicant
satisfied §165-84 of the Land Development Code regarding providing adequate storm drainage and
stormwater offset. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed.
Motion passed.
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 26, and 28, the applicant satisfied
§165-85 and §165-86 of the Land Development Code regarding providing information on anticipated
sanitary flows and compliance with City sewer regulations. Seconded by Member Whitford. Roll call vote
conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibit 2 and 20, the applicant satisfied §165-
135 of the Land Development Code regarding height limits, floor area ratio, impervious surface ratio, and
buffer yards. Seconded by member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted—all in favor, none opposed. Motion
passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that, based on the findings made in Parts 1 and 2 of Section
IV of this document, the Project meets the requirements of§165-92B for uses within the Urban Service
District (USD). Seconded by Member Whitford. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed.
Motion passed.
Member Hobson moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied §165-92D(3)
of the Land Development Code requiring adequate queuing space for each service station at a drive-in
bank, and requiring adequate additional parking for vehicles where service away from drive-up stations
is contemplated. Seconded by Member Brush. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed.
Motion passed.
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City of Bangor Planning Division
Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday,April 2i, 2026
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that based on the findings made in Parts 1 and 2 of Section
IV of this document, the Project meets the requirements of § 165-93B for uses within the Downtown
Development District (DDD). Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none
opposed. Motion passed.
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied §165-93D(3) of
the Land Development Code requiring adequate queuing space for each service station. Seconded by
Member Brush. Roll call vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Hobson moved that the Board finds that based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied the contract
zoning requirements for the property outlined in Council Ordinance 16-125 (Exhibit 35). Seconded by
Member Jonas. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 26, and 28, the applicant satisfied
Land Development Code §165-114.B's requirement that the proposed parking and loading layout are
arranged in a reasonable and safe configuration and §165-114C's requirement that all proposed access
drives are reasonably necessary and safe. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted —all
in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 11, 12, and 28, the applicant
satisfied Land Development Code§165-114D's requirement that the proposed development will not have
unreasonable adverse effects on abutting or downstream properties or protected resources such as
wetlands, lakes, streams or brooks, and that all downstream channels or municipal stormwater collection
systems have adequate capacity to carry the flow without significant negative effects. Seconded by
Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2 and 9, the applicant satisfied Land
Development Code §165-114E's requirements that all outdoor lighting shall be designed, installed and
maintained to avoid unreasonable adverse effects from light pollution. Seconded by Member Brush. Roll
call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Hobson moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied Land
Development Code §165-114F's requirements for landscaping. Seconded by Member Brush. Roll call
vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that based on Exhibit 2, the applicant satisfied Land
Development Code §165-114G's requirements for building location. Seconded by Member Brush. Roll
call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that based on Exhibits 2, 16, 20, and 26, the applicant satisfied
Land Development Code §165-114H's requirements that the proposed development site does not
negatively impact historic sites within 250 feet. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted
—all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
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City of Bangor Planning Division
Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday,April 2i, 2026
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that, based on the findings made in Parts 1-5 of Section IV of
this document, the applicant satisfied Land Development Code§165-9A(1)'s requirements regarding not
requiring a variance of development or other standards. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote
conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 17, and 28, the applicant satisfied
Land Development Code §165-9A(2)'s requirements regarding not creating unreasonable traffic
congestion or hazardous conditions on contiguous or adjacent streets. Seconded by Member Huhn. Roll
call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Huhn moved that the Board finds that, based on the findings in Parts 1-5 of Section IV of this
document, the applicant satisfied Land Development Code §165-9A(3)'s requirements for providing and
maintaining adequate and appropriate utilities, fire protection, drainage, parking and loading and other
necessary site improvements. Seconded by Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted—all in favor, none
opposed. Motion passed.
Member Brush moved that the Board finds that, based on Exhibits 2, 10, and 20, the applicant satisfied
Land Development Code §165-9A(4)'s requirements regarding the proposed use being appropriate for
the location in which it is sought because it conforms to the general physical development pattern of the
immediate area. City Solicitor Szewcyzk clarified the exhibits. Seconded by Member Whitford. Roll call
vote conducted —all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
Member Jonas moved that the Board finds that the project meets the requirements for a Land
Development Permit for a Major Site Development and Conditional Use and therefore, the Board grants
the Land Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit for the proposed Project. Seconded by
Member Hobson. Roll call vote conducted — all in favor, none opposed. Motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
5. Update on Council Action on Recent Text Amendments
Planning Officer provided the update that the first round of ordinance changes for the state housing laws were
approved by Council.
Chair Boucher asked if there are any changes to the Planning Board due to the changes. Planning Officer
clarified and responded.
6. Follow-Up/Thoughts on Land Use Plan Updates
Member Jonas asked if staff have received the draft Land Development Code update. Planning Officer Collette
responded yes and provided details of the timeline.
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City of Bangor Planning Division
Planning Board Meeting Minutes —Tuesday,April 2i, 2026
Meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Matt Altiero,
Planning Analyst
Planning Division
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