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TOWN OF MONMOUTH

PLANNING BOARD

DRAFT Meeting Minutes – October 8, 2020

PRESENT: Steve O’Donnell – Chair; Ray Simond – Vice Chair, Michael Cyr and Larry Saucier – Board Members and David Mills – Alternate Board Member.

ABSENT: John Dovinsky – Board Member and Rick Grant – Alternate Board Member.

OTHERS PRESENT: David Shaw – CEO, Doreen Christ – Recording Secretary, Gregory Randall, Peter & Bonnie White, Carol Branning, Ginger Jordan-Hillier, Nadine Jacobs, Sandy Small-Hughes, Douglas Grant, Barbara Miccolli-Hiltz, and Peter & Shirly Schwarz.

1. Call to Order. This meeting was called to order by Steve O’Donnell - Chair at 7:00 pm. David Mills was made the voting member in John Dovinsky’s absence.

2. Approval of Minutes: September 10, 2020. There were two (2) changes made to this set of meeting minutes. Both changes were made on Page No. 1 to Item No. 3. Old Business. The first change was made to Item a. from “an auto repair, sales and recycling business” to read, “an auto repair and sales business”. The other change was in the fourth paragraph, line three, change the word “from” to “to”. The following motion was made.

MOTION: by Larry Saucier, seconded by David Mills, to move to review and approve this set of meeting minutes with the above changes.

VOTED: 5-0 (Passed).

3. Old Business: A Site Plan Application Review and a Building Permit under the Comprehensive Development Ordinance by Greg Randall, of Rip & Tear Auto Repair and Sales, on behalf of Shirley Pratt for an auto repair and auto sales business at 360 South Monmouth Road, Monmouth (Map 13, Lot 20). Greg Randall was present at this meeting, along with Peter & Bonnie White, abutting property neighbors.

This item was tabled at the last meeting, which was held on September 10, 2020. This matter is now being continued on at this meeting for a monthly status update from Greg Randall.

Gregory Randall is seeking approval for an auto repair and sales business. David Shaw distributed the site plan and also the photographs that were taken today. He said the issue with the vehicles is pretty much addressed. Containers and debris still remain. Greg Randall stated that he has full intention to clean up. He would like to get a fence up before frost. He has already dug holes to put the fence up. He said that they have hauled an immense amount of junk. He also has a plan for all the box trucks. Paul White asked what are box truck buildings? The box trucks are for storage. These are portable. Steve O’Donnell explained that box trucks are similar to pods. Bonnie White asked if filled with stuff, is this considered as a salvage yard? She was advised that the activities the applicants propose is not a salvage yard. Auto repair businesses frequently bring in used parts to use in a vehicle repair. The following motion was made.

MOTION: by Larry Saucier, seconded by Ray Simond to table this item until next month for a progress update.

VOTED: 4-1 (Passed) (David Mills – Opposed).

After the above motion, Bonnie White asked when does this process end? She was advised that the applicant had requested additional time due to COVID-19. It was noted that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has extended the state of emergency due to COVID-19. Peter White added that the violation was issued in April 2019. The Chair advised that the Planning Board does not oversee violations, but it will need to determine that this proposed development must meet Town Standards. He added that Gregory Randall has made vast improvements to the site.

4. New Business: Steve O’Donnell mentioned he was contacted by the new owner of the Martin gravel pit and the board will see an application for an amendment. They want to expand, but will need to get DEP approval.

Before proceeding with the next item on the Agenda, Steve O’Donnell referenced the Comprehensive Development Ordinance and that this board needs to incorporate the changes made at the Town Meeting. He said the Board needs to work on a Master Copy with his changes. The change was for the addition of Section 6.8.9 Solar Energy Systems.

5. Other Business: Town of Monmouth Shoreland Zoning Ordinance – Last Amended 06/13/2017. Distributed, at this meeting, was the “Model Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance Provisions for Shoreland Zoning Ordinances”. This was also sent to Bill Monagle, of the Cobbossee Watershed District (CWD), for his input. Steve O’Donnell referenced the e-mail distributed at this meeting from Mike Levey, who hopes that these thoughts can be a part of the Planning Board discussion about amendments to Monmouth’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. In his e-mail he states that he resides year-round on the west shore of Annabessacook Lake in Winthrop. He said any change by Winthrop or Monmouth has the potential to affect Lake Annabessacook, as it has substantial frontage in both towns, along with the Cobbossee Lake.

These model ordinance provisions focus only on the Shoreland Zone and apply to low impact development (LID) techniques to address runoff near its source and are the product of reviewing numerous ordinances and reports related to LID. Ordinance provisions would be to Section 15 Land Use Standards.

Steve O’Donnell said that the Model Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance Provisions for Shoreland Zoning Ordinances could be given out as a handout for actions to take. Board members will need to review.

6. Public Comment. The following public comments were made regarding the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. Ginger Jordan-Hillier said that this pertains to buffering and that there may be some pieces missing. She also made a reference to species, which are now considered invasive, but were not five years ago. The Dept. of Agriculture & Forestry makes the listing of species. Ginger Jordan-Hillier suggested referring to the state listing. The CWD gets grants routinely to address runoff into the lakes from existing roads and lots.

Sandy Small-Hughes, Vice Chair of the CWD, said that Bill Monagle welcomes coming to this Board to talk. She thanked the Board for taking time to acknowledge this.

Steve O’Donnell indicated that the ordinance does not have a description of a limited commercial zone, but there are references to it. The references to this district should either be removed or the district should be added and defined. If the district is added, it could be limited to only expansion of existing businesses. Camp Kippewa’s prior application was mentioned. David Mills said that Camp Kippewa did not do their due diligence before making the application. David Shaw suggested getting direction from the Board of Selectmen before proceeding further on any amendments other than corrections to address ambiguities in the ordinance.

Ginger Jordan-Hillier said that she believes rentals and AirBnb properties need regulation by the Town. She mentioned that the State of Maine has some regulation of this activity in the unorganized lands and that some municipalities, including South Portland’s, have adopted regulations. Other members of the public voiced similar concerns. It was suggested that they voice their concerns to the Board of Selectmen.

Sandy Small-Hughes said the letters received by the Planning Board should be read out loud and referenced in the minutes to show that residents do not want more development on the lakes. Steve O’Donnell stated the letters will be appended to the minutes.

This item will be placed back on the next regularly scheduled Planning Board Agenda, which is November 12, 2020.

7. CEO – Application Review & Updates. None.

8. Adjournment. The following motion was made to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION: by David Mills, seconded by Larry Saucier, to move to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 pm.

VOTED: 5-0 (Passed).

Respectfully submitted,

Doreen M. Christ

Recording Secretary - Town of Monmouth

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