SOUTH BERWICK PLANNING BOARD
RESCHEDULED MEETING MINUTES
January 22, 2008
7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Dennis Smith (Chairman), Richard Clough, Mimi Demers and Jim Fisk (Planner).
Susie Scott (Administrative Assistant) was taking minutes.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Smith called the Planning Board meeting to order at 7:13 PM.
MINUTES APPROVAL
January 8, 2008 – Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Clough, 2nd by Ms. Demers to accept minutes, passed unanimously.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
- none.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. State of Maine, DEP – Memo dated 12/27/07 re: Extension of Deadline for Updating Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. Susie Scott provided the Board with memo at the meeting. Mr. Fisk stated that the town’s ordinance will need to be updated by July, 2009. Mr. Fisk will provide the Board an updated wetland map to discuss specific issues. Mr. Fisk confirmed that the town currently has a requirement of 250’ from upland edge of stream.
OLD BUSINESS
1. MJS#07-02; Tamarack Hills (Charlotte Wilkins), Map 14, Lot 28 – 6-Lot Subdivision: Findings of Fact. Mr. Fisk stated that the applicant has reviewed the FOF.
Ms. Demers stated she was not comfortable voting on the Findings of Fact since, as a new Board member, she has not had the opportunity to participate in past meetings nor review this application.
Motion by Mr. Clough to table acceptance of the Findings of Fact until the first meeting in February, 2nd by Ms. Demers, passed unanimously.
1. MSP#07-08; Rachel Martin and D. Bessette, Map 28, Lot 168 – Change of Use: Updated Site Plan Survey. Survey received.
NEW BUSINESS
- none.
ORDINANCE UPDATES
1. Zoning Ordinance: Continued review.
Mr. Fisk provided Board members with the following memo at the meeting – Ordinance Updates dated July 31, 2007 & January 22, 2008.
Mr. Fisk discussed inquiries received at Town Hall regarding pending uses:
- Equestrian Center: Currently there is no definition within zoning to review this use.
- Convalescent Care Facility: Currently there are no general provisions for which to review this use. The Board should revisit Congregate Housing definition as it relates to other care facilities.
- Performance Standards: Address time of use, traffic, buffering, etc. as it relates to specific districts.
Chairman Smith requested language be written and reviewed at the February 19, 2008 Planning Board meeting.
The Board agreed to start the ordinance review with Table A. Mr. Fisk will email the Planning Board items for review.
Mr. Fisk stated that Chairman Smith will need to write a letter to the Town Council requesting review of amendments as recommended by the Planning Board at the 1-8-08 meeting. Zoning ordinance amendments for review include sections on Accessory Apartment, Major Home Occupations, Official Business Directional Signs, and Site Plan Review, General Provisions. Mr. Fisk will email Chairman Smith with the current materials that have been previously sent to the Council regarding general changes to the zoning ordinance.
Parking
Chairman Smith noted that the Board has made several recommendations for the Town Council but the Town Council has not acted on them. Mr. Fisk discussed that the Town has requested legal opinion regarding the proposed parking fee. Mr. Fisk has not received further information from Town Manager.
Mr. Clough noted that enforcement of parking fees still remains an issue due to the costs involved.
Chairman Smith stated that parking permit fees would pay for enforcement of municipal parking lots.
Mr. Fisk noted that the requirements dictated by the original grant funds for the town’s Park & Ride lots have now since expired.
Ms. Demers discussed the parking problem as perceived versus a real problem.
Mr. Clough discussed the possibility of landlords approaching private land owners for tenant parking instead of relying on the town to provide municipal parking.
Mr. Fisk noted the following updates:
- Private Road Standards: Public Works Director is coordinating with the Stormwater Management Plan which will go before the Town Council for review in April.
- Lock Box: The Fire Chief will be reviewing this issue on a case by case basis.
- HOA: To be reviewed as a part of the subdivision ordinance.
- Condo Conversions: Unit apartment that could be subdivided.
- Affordable Housing: Considered a density issue by the CPUC.
Mr. Fisk noted that both the Planning Board and the Town Council want to wait until the Comprehensive Plan is accepted and/or adopted prior to further review of the Policies: BT/B3 and Design Standards.
Mr. Fisk and Ms. Scott will coordinate information for Ms. Demers prior to a meeting between Mr. Fisk and Ms. Demers to review said material.
OTHER
- none.
MEMBER COMMENTS
Ms. Demers discussed Kristin Whiting Grant who is currently taking courses in Planning. Ms. Whiting Grant has used South Berwick as a model for a Policy Plan. Ms. Scott can make copies of this plan to be distributed to the Planning Board for further review.
Chairman Smith discussed how the Planning Board is charged to administer the ordinance. The Planning Board can make recommendations for amendments and apply these amendments but it is the Town Council that enacts the changes. Although the Planning Board acts as its’ own entity, it is always under the Town Council.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings:
2/05/08 – 7:00 PM Planning Board Regular Meeting
2/19/08 – 7:00 PM Planning Board Regular Meeting
Motion by Mr. Clough, second by Ms. Demers to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned without objection at 7:57 PM.
ATTESTED: ______________________
Susie Scott,
Assistant to the Director of Planning & Economic Development
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