Minutes: Thursday, May 1, 2008
Present: Jack Goosetrey, Wayne Wood, Gary Foster, Richard Bibber, Wade Trudel, James Foster, Councilor Margaret Hutchins, Code Enforcement Officer Doug Webster
1. Approval of April 16, 2008 ORC minutes
Motion made to accept the April 16 minutes as written
Gary Foster motioned; Richard Bibber seconded
4 Yes
2. Ordinances
a. Continue review of proposed Chapter 401 revision
Article 9- no comments
Article 10- There were comments on the escrow accounts and amounts and whether or not they are better than what exists now.
401.10.2B- Gary has some questions about the homeowners’ property rights.
401.10.1E- Wayne questions the consistency of the wording as to who writes the letter. There should be consistency.
401.10.2F-Wayne believes that there will be questions about this bond issue.
Article 11:
401.11.1B-There are questions about the wording of the letter of credit. It should be worded a bit differently or the punctuation should change so that the letter of credit is approved and not the financial institution. The intent may be misinterpreted.
401.11.1D- Wayne asked if the Town Manager is involved in this process and why the Town Attorney is mentioned in this section.
Article 12:
401.12.3- There were questions about the procedure wording as it applies for major and minor subdivision. It was suggested that it be only for minor subdivisions.
401.12.5-There were questions as to whether it is currently done. Wayne believes that if something is always waived. it should be changed.
Article 13:
401.13.2B- Deed restrictions: There were some questions about the appropriateness of this.
401.13.1B- There were questions about the lot lines and what is included. A stream was used as an example. Doug Webster asked if there should be clarification on the size of the lots that should be included in this section.
401.13.4- Wayne Wood asked if the width to ratios should be the same across the board and treated the same. Doug Webster indicated that shoreland lots are not considered the same.
401.13 1 B5- Wayne Wood believes that the E-911 process be a part of this criteria. He the does not believe that the Planning Board should have say in this. Doug Webster indicated that there are problems with inspections. The goal is to get the lot numbers, tax map and E-911 numbers to be the same. There are too many variables however, so this may be difficult. Wade believes that there should be a simple process. Doug suggests that the lot numbers be assigned by the assessor’s office. That would yield a better result.
401.13.1 C- Gary Foster asked why the cables and lines be underground in this section. They should not be required.
Wade Trudel asked if this could be left to the individual. Doug Webster stated that it is possible and commented on growth areas. Wade asked if it is necessary to mandate. Doug commented about the reliability, aesthetics of underground.
401.13.1D- Wayne Wood asked if stone/concrete is the only permanent material. He also commented on lot corners and indicated that where they are located is irrelevant. He believes that #2 isn’t necessary and #3 is difficult to do.
Gary Foster indicated that the language in #4 should apply and speaks to the whole issue. He suggests striking # 1,# 2 and # 3 and use the language of #4.
Margaret asked if specific wording on the types of materials would be clearer.
Doug Webster indicated that the reference to the Maine Board of Surveyors would clarify what is appropriate to use.
There was extensive conversation about lots and how they can be divided and subdivided and how the standards are applied and should be applied.
401.13.4 Sufficient water- Water quality. Wayne Wood indicated that it would be important to get Jim Foster’s perspective on this section, in particular, water quality. Gary Foster questions as to whether or not there should be tests for each lot. Jack Goosetrey indicated that an owner could come back to the town if there was an issue. Jim Foster asked where the source of this came from and in general, believes it is restrictive. He believes that only public water will be feasible or test each well before it’s drilled. Wayne Wood asked about the necessity of the distance and slope of the land as stated here. There was also discussion on the distance of hydrants. There was discussion about ISO ratings and insurance costs. It was suggested that it be inline with ISO standards. The
group will revisit this section after further review.
Soil erosion section: There should be some changes in the wording. There was also discussion on soil. Wade Trudel indicated that is not as common, but this section may cover all situations. He asked if there is a better way to cover this. Doug Webster suggested including some language for exceptions. This may make it clearer.
Section C- Richard Bibber asked how this section is defined and how one monitors it. Wayne Wood suggested including a reference to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance in this section. Gary Foster agreed that it would be part of the criteria for the Planning Board. There was a discussion on the temperature issue. Wayne Wood believes that this wording is too generic as to what a body of water is.
Section E- The group asked why this section is necessary. Wade Trudel asked about the new technologies and that perhaps a proposed project could get a higher density if they incorporated these new technologies. He believes that if this option was included, it could be considered a better project. Doug Webster believes that it could manage 4-5 households and used Little Sebago as an example of the best application, but there are some obstacles about the practicality of use. He agreed with Wayne’s suggestion that if proposed correctly it could be a density bonus to the developer. A number of members agreed that the green bonus concept is better than what is available now and should be considered.
Review proposed Chapter 402 documents
Tabled to the next meeting.
3. Other-None
4. Adjournment
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting and continue review at the next meeting.
Wade Trudel motioned; Gary Foster seconded
5 Yes
Next Meeting is May 14th.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm
| 
