Gray Planning Board Minutes
September 24, 2009
Jack Goosetrey was appointed as a voting member.
- Minutes of August 13, 2009
The minutes were approved unanimously.
None
- Tabled Matters and Unfinished Business
None
- Public Hearing and New Business
- Request for Amendment to Freedom Drive Subdivision related to timing of a performance guarantee. Applicant is Linda M. Liberty, Map 10, Lot 4, RRA Zone. Agent is Pinkham and Greer.
Rick Liberty presented the application for amendment of the subdivision conditions of approval. Conditions in the real estate market will lead to a delay in building the project and Mr. Liberty is trying to control costs.
Rodney Boyington asked about the MDOT fee.
Mr. Liberty indicated it has been paid.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no comment.
Dan Cobb asked if there is any risk to the Town.
George Thebarge explained that the risk is that work starts without the erosion control guarantee in place.
Don Hutchings asked if this would set a precedent for other developers.
George Thebarge expressed concern for that possible outcome.
John Redlon expressed his concern for the precedence.
Rod Boyington pointed to the need for a pre-construction meeting under the Street Construction Ordinance.
Dan Cobb echoed the question of setting precedence.
George Thebarge pointed to the new allowance for approvals without full performance guarantees. An inability to post a $24,000 erosion bond might raise questions about the financial capacity of the developer. He also pointed to the stream on the site and the lack of a requirement for a performance guarantee under the Street Ordinance.
Don Hutchings made a motion to approve with the 3 conditions as presented in the agenda notes.
Dan seconded the motion.
The motion was approved unanimously.
- Request for Amendment to Field Way Subdivision related to clarifying a property boundary. Applicant is Meyer Realty Investments, Map L16, Lot 15A, Lake District. Agent is Wayne T. Wood.
Wayne Wood presented the application. A survey on an abutting property showed a discrepancy that this change will address through a line of agreement. Any change to the plan must be approved by the Board.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no comment.
Don Hutchings moved approval for the line amendment.
John Redlon seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
- Sketch Plan Review of Morgan Meadows, a 14-lot cluster subdivision on Totten Road, Gray, Maine. Map 23, 8A, RRA Zone. Applicant is New Age Builders, LLC, P.O. Box 907, Westbrook, Maine 04098.
Bob Greenlaw, surveyor for the project, presented for the applicant. Morgan Drive was developed by a prior developer on a 12-foot gravel road. The applicant proposes to extend the existing road by 470 feet, widen it by 4 feet and pave it. They have reviewed the planner’s comments and are prepared to work with him.
George Sally (?) just bought a house on Totten Rd. He expressed concern for the value of the homes that might be constructed.
Mr. Greenlaw indicated the developer’s intent for stick-built, single family homes.
Jack Goosetrey asked about the road frontage on the lots.
Mr. Greenlaw indicated that the frontage would be increased to more than 100 feet.
Dan Cobb asked about the common septic system.
Mr. Greenlaw has been talking to Septi-Tech and they have thoughts that doing a common septic will reduce overall septic costs.
Don Hutchings pointed to the problem of the road location at a point where there is limited visibility. The Town Engineer looked at it and it might require reconstruction of Totten Road to make sight distances workable.
Mr. Greenlaw indicated that the Town approved sight distances previously and he will look at it closely.
Don Hutchings asked about the requirement for a second street connection.
George read from the Street Ordinance on the Planning Board’s authority to look at this issue.
Rod Boyington asked about the review of lots previously split off.
George explained that all lots done within the past five years must be counted in the impacts of the development, but they can’t be disapproved.
Rod Boyington pointed to potential restrictions that were placed on the minor subdivision for the duplex relating to access.
George Thebarge pointed to the potential need to widen the road to Town standards rather than making it 4 feet wider than the current gravel drive.
The application was tabled for a site walk on Saturday Oct. 10 at 2pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
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