TOWN OF STETSON
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
Members Present Members Absent Guests
Betty Bridges, Chair Tom Maher
Vice President (Vacant) Dave Buchstaber
Terry Moore, Secretary
Kirsten Hepler
Vonnie White
Charles Merrill, Associate
Jeff Perry, Associate
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Ms. Bridges called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Old Business
None
Ms. Bridges asked the Board members if they approved the May 11, 2006 meeting minutes. Ms. Hepler requested two changes to Item 6 as follows:
a. Paragraph 4 be changed to read: “Ms. Hepler also noted that Mr. Withee did not need a Shoreland Zoning application.
b. Paragraph 5, Line 4 to read: “Ms. Hepler asked the CEO if he was giving out the Permit by Rule applications should someone ask for it.”
Ms. White made a motion to accept the minutes with the two changes and Ms. Hepler seconded the motion. All were in favor to approve the minutes with the two changes noted above.
Mr. Flewelling was not present at the meeting. Ms. Bridges did state that she spoke with the town CEO about the process for the Flewelling family property since the approval of Article 14 at the May 20, 2006 town meeting. This article recommended his property be changed from the Resource Protection District to a Limited Residential District. The town’s recommendation is forwarded to the State of Maine DEP office, which has 30 days to review the package once received. If the DEP office approves the request, the Town of Stetson must update their town map to reflect this change. Once this is accomplished, the CEO will assess the square footage of the property and determine if there is adequate footage to divide the property amongst the family members. If not, the family’s request will go before the Appeals Board for processing as an administrative denial. On the other hand, if there is adequate footage and after a building permit is submitted, then the Planning Board reviews the request as a Shoreland Zoning Permit Application, not a subdivision application as the property will remain within the family.
Item 3:
Mr. Perry researched the on-line Citizens Resource Planners Kit for the Board. He brought in a copy of the course. He stated there was no fee to take the course. His assessment was that it was good for new Board members in particular.
Mr. Perry agreed to download the course and make copies for Board members.
Item 4:
Ms. Bridges stated that the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) amendments to Chapter 1000 of its rules are now available to the town to incorporate into the existing Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. She noted that the Board has approximately two years to integrate the amendments into the current town ordinance.
Mr. Buchstaber asked when the amendments were effective.
Ms. Moore stated the amendments were effective May 1, 2006. Ms. Bridges added that she called PVCOG, and the gentleman she spoke with also confirmed the effective date was May 1, 2006. The cover letter stated that the State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection requires municipal shoreland zoning ordinances to ‘update/amend their shoreland zoning ordinances to be consistent with the amended guidelines…Although the BEP has not formally voted on a date for municipalities to have updated their ordinances, discussion at the February 16th meeting indicated the municipalities will most likely be given two (2) years from May 1, 2006 to complete the necessary amendments to their locally adopted shoreland zoning ordinances.’
Mr. Buchstaber commented that some of the amendments are
more restrictive such as not being able to remove underbrush within
Ms. Moore commented that she visited the Newport Town Office to research how they managed Shoreland Zoning permits. The Newport CEO stated that the permit must be complete, and the applicant is expected to hire whomever they need to assist them to complete it correctly. The Planning Board is not responsible for completing or assisting an applicant to complete an application. They refer applicants to State of Maine resources such as the Forestry Department.
Mr. Buchstaber noted that the amendment also specifies types of plants that can be removed and planted.
Mr. Perry stated he also noted many changes.
Ms. Moore reinforced that the Bangor DEP office was very helpful and rational when helping clients.
Ms. Hepler asked Mr. Buchstaber what his capacity was at tonight’s meeting—a real estate agent or selectman? Mr. Buchstaber stated as a citizen and selectman-elect.
Ms. Bridges further noted that once the Planning Board and Selectmen complete a new draft ordinance, it must be presented to the town citizens for a vote.
Item 5:
Mr. Gould, CEO, was not present at the meeting. Ms. Bridges noted that he did not attend the State of Maine DEP shoreland zoning amendment-training session for CEOs as he was in court on that date.
Item 6:
Ms. Bridges noted that the proposed Land Use Ordinance was resoundly disapproved at the annual Town Meeting, May 20, 2006. She stated that she hopes nothing really drastic occurs to someone before the town decides it needs an ordinance.
Item 7:
Ms. Bridges stated that at the end of June there would not be a quorum of Planning Board members. Ms. Moore will draft this meeting’s minutes, and distribute them to members. Ms. Bridges will call each member for their feedback and vote, and then, Ms. Moore will file them in the Town Office Planning Board meeting minutes book. This allows the new Planning Board to have a fresh start.
Ms. Hepler asked who resigned. Ms. Bridges stated that Ms. Moore, Mr. Hatfield, and Ms. White had officially resigned thus far.
Item 8:
Ms. Bridges noted that eight new Planning Board books were compiled for new Board members and the Town Office. She will give them to the Selectmen at the next meeting for distribution. Additionally, Ms. Moore will complete the electronic files for the Town Office, which includes templates for all Planning Board actions.
Ms. Moore noted that should the need arise for assistance, the Maine Municipal Association legal advisors were especially supportive and on more than one occasion, provided the Board with answers on the same day or within a day. Mr. Perry stated that he found MMA to be very helpful also.
Ms. Bridges emphasized that all Planning Board members, not just the Chair, are responsible to ensure required documents are accurate and complete. She referenced the current Board’s oversight with a missing signature on the McKay subdivision Mylar map.
Ms. Hepler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Ms. White seconded it. All Board members were in favor.
The next meeting is:
Please notify the Board Chair in advance if you cannot attend a meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry F. Moore
Secretary