TOWN OF
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
Members Present Members Absent Guests
Betty Bridges, Chair Cliff Hatfield Charles McKay
Terry Moore, Secretary Darrell Miles Kirsten Hepler
Vonnie White Don Carroll
Charles Merrill, Associate George Hockstadter
____________________________________________________________Dave Buchstaber__________________
Ms. Bridges called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Old Business
Ms. Bridges asked the Board members if they approved the February 9, 2006 meeting minutes as well as the February 18, 2006 Deer Field Run Subdivision Site Visit meeting minutes. Ms. Bridges requested her name be changed to Mr. Carroll in Item 9. Ms. White made a motion to accept the minutes and Ms. Hepler seconded the motion. All were in favor to approve the minutes as written.
Ms. Bridges reviewed the previous discussions about the fees associated with the Deer Field Run subdivision. She stated she called Mr. Dean Bennett of PVCOG for clarification on the subdivision of property for a subdivision. Mr. Bennett said the only stipulation was to clearly mark on the subdivision map that portion of property retained for Mr. McKay’s use. If at a later date further subdividing was requested before five years after the approval of the Deer Field Run subdivision, the Board would do an amendment to this subdivision. However, if 5 or more years later, application for a new subdivision is required.
Ms. Bridges asked Ms. Biggers in the Town Office to issue a warrant to the Selectmen to refund Mr. McKay for excess fee charges. Additionally, she noted that she sent a letter to Mr. McKay and Mr. Miles explaining this decision.
Ms. White reinforced that the cost per subdivision lot was $350.00 for a total of $1750.00.
Ms. Bridges then initiated discussion about the subdivision Preliminary Plan submission. Mr. Miles stated he thought the requirement for a certified well driller letter was waived. Ms. Moore asked Mr. Miles who told him the letter was waived. Mr. Miles said that Mr. McKay did. Ms. Moore asked Mr. McKay who suggested the letter would be waived. Mr. Miles shrugged his shoulders and said he just thought it was. Ms. Bridges confirmed the letter was required. Mr. Miles acknowledged the need to secure it.
Mr. Miles noted that the lots were now numbered on the subdivision map.
Mr. Miles completed an application for approval, but no copies were made available for Board members before the meeting. The application was passed around to Board members to review during the meeting.
Ms. Bridges then addressed each of the Preliminary Plan checklist items. See attached checklist.
There was some discussion about the road. Mr. Buchstaber stated that the road would be part of the realtor’s disclosure. Mr. Carroll further noted that whoever buys a lot would get a copy of the map, so they will know about the road.
It was noted that test pit analysis information was given in the June 9, 2005 letter.
Ms. Bridges then commented on contour line requirements. She spoke with Mr. Bennett who stated that some towns have regulations that address contour lines. Stetson does not, but Ms. Bridges said that the contour lines couldn’t be less than five feet. It was also noted that a USGS surveyor uses 20 feet and the town Selectmen said it was fine to use 20 feet. It is a flat piece of land, so 20 feet between contour lines should be okay. If the contour lines were 5 feet, we would see more specific terrain markings.
Ms. White asked if we would be setting a precedent using 20-foot contour lines. Ms. Bridges stated each decision would be a case-by-case decision. Ms. Bridges asked who supported the decision for 20-foot contour lines. Ms. Bridges, Ms. Hepler and Ms. White concurred. Ms. Moore did not as she is not knowledgeable on the subject and did not feel she could make an informed decision at this time.
Ms. Bridges summarized the Preliminary Plan review. Mr. McKay and Mr. Miles need to provide:
- Certified well driller letter addressing water quantity and quality
- Provide 100-year flood elevation map information
Mr. Carroll commented that the town’s flood plan map is currently being updated. Mr. Miles stated he would get a copy.
Ms. White made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plan pending completion of the two open items listed above (certified well driller letter and flood elevation map information). Ms. Bridges seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Ms. Bridges gave Mr. McKay and Mr. Miles the contour line letters stating 20-foot contour line markings were required.
Additionally, Ms. Bridges stated she would follow up with an “Incomplete Preliminary Plan” letter. (Ms. Moore gave Ms. Bridges this letter on March 10, 2006 to sign and mail.)
It was decided to compress the subdivision review process, and schedule a Deer Field Run Subdivision Preliminary Plan public hearing following confirmation of a complete Preliminary Plan application. Ms. Bridges will need to give Mr. McKay and Mr. Miles the “Complete Preliminary Plan” letters at that meeting and retain copies for the Town Office file. Additionally, after the hearing, if there are no unresolved issues, the Board will review the Deer Field Run Subdivision Final Plan. A “Receipt of Final Plan Application” letter must be given to Mr. McKay and Mr. Miles. And, either a “Complete” or “Incomplete” letter for the final plan will be signed after Board review. After Board review, a decision for the Final Plan hearing date will be made. If approved, letters to abutters and official offices as well as the newspaper publication request need to be mailed. (Ms. Moore gave Ms. Bridges these letters on April 8, 2006.)
Item 2: Ms. Bridges stated that Mr. House’s Shoreland Zoning Permit Application was still incomplete. She said she called Mr. House, and left a voice mail. The application was tabled.
(Ms. Moore gave Ms. Bridges a letter on April 8, 2006 to forward to Mr. House with a copy to Mr. Gagnon, requesting the missing information so the application would not be further postponed.)
Item 3: Ms. Bridges showed the Board a 1995 Model Subdivision Regulation handbook that was published by the Maine State Planning Office. It included the page that Ms. Bridges copied for the Planning Board that gave examples of subdivisions of property. After some discussion, there were still questions about how to assess fees for subdivided lots—which lots “counted” and which did not. Ms. Bridges stated she still had questions and further recommended Board members contact Mr. Bennett directly for clarification.
Ms. Hepler noted that this could be addressed at the April 11, 2006 Maine Municipal Association Planning Board member training.
Ms. White made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Ms. Hepler seconded it. All Board members were in favor.
The next meetings
are:
April 13, 2006 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting at Stetson Library
Conference Room
May 2, 2006 7:00 p.m. Land Use Ordinance Hearing at Town
Meeting
House
Other important dates:
May 19, 2006 Municipal Elections/Secret Ballot Vote on Land Use
Ordinance
May 20, 2006 Annual Town
Meeting
Please notify Ms. Bridges in advance if you cannot attend a meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry F. Moore
Secretary
Cc:
Preliminary Plan Application Checklist for Deer Field Run Subdivision