1 00:00:00,700 --> 00:00:24,170 Yeah. Okay. Uh. Welcome to the July 21st, 2026. Uh, Town of Cape Elizabeth Planning board meeting. Uh, as a reminder, we are hybrid. So, uh, for any no. Two people online. 2 00:00:24,170 --> 00:00:45,700 Okay, for those online, if we, in the event of any technical difficulties with the video, we will continue here in the room. So if you need to or want to speak you’d have to come down here. That goes for any and all future events. So moving on to the first order of business, the approval of minutes for May 19th, 2026. Any. Yes, I had had one correction on page three near the top. 3 00:00:45,700 --> 00:01:09,200 It says Mr. Gilbert noted. It says playset. I think it’s supposed to be plants. Yes. Yep. I circled that as well. That’s not the minutes though. I have one other substantive non substantive edit, and I’m offended that no one else caught it. 4 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:44,270 But at the bottom of page three, my name is misspelled and I didn’t check anyone else’s name spelling I. For the record, it’s two E’s at the end of the valley. Anything else? No. Um, okay. Do we have a motion. On the minutes? I move approval of the minutes, as amended. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in. 5 00:01:44,270 --> 00:02:09,330 Favor? Unanimous. Motion passes. All right. We have one more sediments here. I can. So, uh, the next order of business is June 16th, 2026. Workshop minutes. Uh, any changes to those minutes or comments, etc.? Derek, you have a motion. I know you do. I have a motion to approve the minutes. 6 00:02:09,330 --> 00:02:37,630 Okay, we have a motion. Have a second. Second motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion passes. Moving on. Okay. First full order of business here. Cape Commons site plan review. Green Mars Real Estate is requesting site plan review for commercial slash 18 unit mixed use building located at 316 ocean House road. 7 00:02:37,630 --> 00:03:01,700 Section 19-9 site plan completeness. So, uh, would the representative for the project please introduce the project? Good evening. Thank you. Chair. My name is Travis Letellier. I, um, I’m a senior civil engineer with Green Myers Real Estate Services, and, uh, we’re here tonight to present our proposal for Cape Commons. 8 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:25,300 Um, it’s at the heart of the development is a, uh, a new three story, 5000 square foot building, a mixed use building. Uh, we’re proposing commercial space on the first floor, um, along with 18 residential units on the second and third floors. 9 00:03:25,300 --> 00:03:48,870 Um, one sort of minor change from our original, submission is that, um, I’m not sure if. I’m not sure if you received the plan today, but, um, we’re proposing now six live work units rather than the two that were in the original application. Um, uh, is due to, uh, just utilization of the commercial space in the first floor. 10 00:03:48,870 --> 00:04:13,170 Um, in addition to those six live work units, there are ten, two bedroom units and, uh, two one bedroom units that will be part of the development. Um, also in the first floor, there will be two individual commercial spaces that face, uh, ocean House road. Um, there’s no particular tenant. 11 00:04:13,170 --> 00:04:38,830 Um, at the moment, but for purposes of parking and, uh, sanitary flows, water flows, we are proposing, um, they be they be permitted as a as a restaurant or cafe type situation which has has a higher use traffic wise and water usage wise. Um, but either of those spaces could be either retail or office space as well. In the future. 12 00:04:38,830 --> 00:05:03,470 The remainder of the site. Um, as you as you can see here, we are proposing a new 24 foot driveway. It’ll have a two lanes in and out. Will serve a new parking lot in the back of the property. Uh, which will contain 33 parking spaces, two of which will be Ada accessible. 13 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:26,900 Um, we’re also incorporating a connection to the neighboring condo development at the the sort of north rear corner and on the sort of south rear corner. We are proposing a connection to the existing town lot. Um, here, um, this plan is a you know, we are addressing comments at the moment. 14 00:05:26,900 --> 00:05:52,030 So this there are some additional changes that will be making for the final submission. And we can I can go through those tonight with you. Um, but it it’s relatively minor in comparison to, to this plan here. Um. 15 00:05:52,030 --> 00:06:13,370 As far as traffic goes, uh, we’re there will be an am peak of 20 trips and a peak of 31, which is obviously a lot lower than the dot standard of 100 for a traffic movement permit. All the utilities will be, um, will be connected to the public utilities within ocean House road. 16 00:06:13,370 --> 00:06:35,400 Uh, we have at this time received, um, ability to serve letters from the Portland Water District and also the, uh, Department of Public Works. Um, slash town engineer regarding the sanitary flows. Um, those will be will be part of the final submission as well. But we have received those letters, um, to date. 17 00:06:35,400 --> 00:07:05,170 Um, and there’s also an existing power pole in the property which will be running underground power, um, to the building from. Um, stormwater will be handled through, uh, three through an lid. Um, low impact development, uh, standard that the town offers will be using, um, three, uh, rain garden type systems. Let me try to go down to the landscape plan. 18 00:07:05,170 --> 00:07:21,400 There will be three rain gardens as part of the as part of the proposal, one in the front and two in the rear. Um, along with a roof, drip line filter and a vegetated swale that will have a treatment component to it in the back of the back of the 19 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:48,130 parking lot. Um, along with, you know, these features will collect the majority of the stormwater flows on the property. And, um, we’ll be connecting to the, uh, public system through an easement on on the town lot next door. 20 00:07:48,130 --> 00:08:11,900 Uh, as far as landscaping goes, this, uh, we’re proposing a pretty significant plantings along the sort of northern boundary with our residential neighbor. Um, uh, additionally, we’re proposing an arbor BT type buffer along the rear property line with LP Murray, and then they’ll be each of the rain gardens will incorporate, um, perennials and and grasses that are all, uh, native to the Maine and New England area. 21 00:08:11,900 --> 00:08:42,430 Also tolerant to sort of, uh, wet conditions that each of these rain gardens will experience. Um. With that, um, we have received, uh, comments from Steve Harding, peer review comments, which we are addressing ongoing. 22 00:08:42,430 --> 00:09:04,800 Um, the majority of the comments are we are agreeable and we’ll be addressing as part of the final submission. But there is one comment that I was hoping to discuss to the board tonight, and that was, um, the interconnectivity between our parking lot and the town lot. Um, it’s a suggestion of Steve Harding that the rear exit of our parking lot would be a right turn only onto the town. 23 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:26,370 One way driveway, and we are hoping to make this sort of a two way back and forth between the two parking lots. Um, essentially, I envision a situation where someone drives into our lot. 24 00:09:26,370 --> 00:09:46,430 It maybe it’s full and, you know, to utilize the shared parking on the town lot, they’d have to if it was right turn only exit the property, the ocean House road and drive back and, and then uh, and then park. 25 00:09:46,430 --> 00:10:11,530 Um, so I did sort of prepare a draft plan that, that tries to illustrate, you know, that there is plenty of room for a two lane, um, you know, 12 foot lanes, uh, to be utilized in this area. Um, also, uh, a possible striped area for the pedestrian sidewalk that we’re proposing along the town property. Uh, driveway. 26 00:10:11,530 --> 00:10:30,630 Um, but other than that, the rest of the comments from the peer review are are something that will we can I can certainly discuss with you tonight if you’d like to go into more detail with any of those. Um, but they’ll be all they’ll all be addressed as part of the final submission. Um, with that, I don’t know if you wanted to say anything, but, uh, we open it up to the the board. 27 00:10:30,630 --> 00:10:53,600 Any questions, concerns, comments about the project? Okay. Um, so we’re just talking about completeness at this point, but does anyone have a question about the presentation or need any clarification on the plans or submission package prior to you, uh, public hearing that. 28 00:10:53,600 --> 00:11:17,100 Just for the record, what is the definition of a live workspace or unit? Um, that is a it’s. Yeah. Um, it’s part of the residential code. It was built in and designed so that people could have both a commercial space with an apartment attached to it, or living area attached to it. 29 00:11:17,100 --> 00:11:35,770 Um, what we envision these is there’s a lot of people right now who need a commercial address to operate small businesses, and most apartments would not allow that in this scenario. They would. So there’s living area on the top floor, commercial space down low, especially if you have like an online business or small cookie business or anything where you need a commercial address. This could serve that function. 30 00:11:35,770 --> 00:11:53,400 Um, they’ll be pretty white box so that the ground floor can be transformed as they need to to help operate out of. Thank you. That was very helpful. And we can we’re happy to talk more about it. If you have more questions. This was, um, the brainchild of our architect. 31 00:11:53,400 --> 00:12:15,330 Oh, yes. Can you can you introduce your name? Oh, for. The record, I’m Oscar Wilkerson. I work with Travis at Green Marsh. Thank you. Anyone else? Carolyn, it seems like you’ve got a question. There. Okay. Yes. Um. 32 00:12:15,330 --> 00:12:31,800 For anyone who’s trying to watch the the meeting remotely, uh, I’m not allowed to admit you into the meeting unless you are listing your actual name. If you just want to watch the meeting, you can go through the town’s website for that. So the person on my phone who would like to be admitted does need to add their name. Before I can do that. 33 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:54,530 Thank you Maureen. And we do have a public hearing coming up, so the sooner you can do that, the better. Um, anyone else on the. Yes. Yes. Go ahead. I had a question for you about your schedule. Um, on plan C 401, note 10. 34 00:12:54,530 --> 00:13:16,400 3 says what your schedule is, but I don’t think it’s that you’re building in 2014. So what is your plan schedule? Um, construction. I believe, will be going, you know, if we do get planning approval, uh, through the town. Um, I’ll be looking at probably. It’ll probably take us. Once we have approval, we can apply for the next level of our financing. 35 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:52,430 Realistically, it’ll take us, um, a while to do that. We’re targeting to break ground starting next summer. Um, assuming that everything proceeds. Anyone? Are you all good? Yeah. Um, on the. Plan C 101. 101. And there’s reference to a sidewalk along the the town hall. 36 00:13:52,430 --> 00:14:21,830 Where is the, uh, in the documentation that submitted that talks about the, um, authority, understanding that there’s going to be a sidewalk there. That was, um, through discussions with the with the town planner. We were we also went through the town council to get an easement, um, to, to connect to that, uh, property over there. 37 00:14:21,830 --> 00:14:42,170 Um, but it was, um, it was discussed with, with planning staff, uh, as a, as a component of the project. As part of our workshop, it was suggested that that would be something that the town would desire. Maureen, can you. Thank you. So, um, the applicants are proposing to share the use of the town hall driveway. 38 00:14:42,170 --> 00:15:03,100 That’s on the north side of the town hall. And the sidewalk would be in that same location. And the council has has authorized the applicants to go ahead with those plans and that they will be granting an easement, an access easement, to allow that the actual drafting of these men has not happened yet, but the council has authorized it, 39 00:15:03,100 --> 00:15:25,900 and the manager is authorized to sign it. Thank you. You’re welcome. And I believe that was part of the we did submit that as part of the package, but may not have explained it well enough. So. That was it. Thank you. 40 00:15:25,900 --> 00:15:49,200 Anyone else? If not, we will open up for public hearing on completeness and completeness only. So anyone would like to speak. Please step forward to the podium. State your name and address. I see no one here. Um. Anyone online like Maureen. How do we see hands? Have to raise their hands. You have to raise your hand online if. If they would have to raise their. 41 00:15:49,200 --> 00:16:19,430 Hands and it will show. Hopefully here. So if anyone wants to speak online, I’ll give you another 15 seconds to let us know. Okay. Seeing no one, no interest in speaking, we will close the public hearing on completeness and open it up to the board for discussion on. Oh, actually. 42 00:16:19,430 --> 00:16:43,900 Well, any further discussion on this, and then we can vote if we don’t have any further need to discuss anything. Anyone feel comfortable? Sure. Please go ahead. 43 00:16:43,900 --> 00:17:06,230 A motion for completeness, be it ordered, that based on the plans and the materials submitted and the facts presented, the application of green Mars real estate services for site plan review to construct a mixed use building located at 316 ocean House road. Be deemed complete. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion on the motion? None. All in favor of completeness. Uh, motion is unanimous. Motion passes for completeness. 44 00:17:06,230 --> 00:17:43,170 Okay, well, the next thing to discuss is if we want sidewalk, and if so, when. , I would say yes. I agree. Yes. Okay. Um. Generally we do that fairly quickly. I am pretty much gone the next three weeks, starting on the weekend. So, um, but if. So like soon. Yeah. 45 00:17:43,170 --> 00:18:10,770 Um, 20. Uh, yeah. Friday the 24th. Is that or. Yeah, 2020 third is tough. The next couple days are tough, but Friday could work if that’s anyone’s amenable to that. If you guys could lead. The evening. Yeah. What makes sense? Yeah. Thank you. Any time. Okay. That’s that’s fine with me. 46 00:18:10,770 --> 00:18:39,070 So can can you guys make that work? Um, so what time is good? 515. Is that or 530? Caroline. 535 30. Okay. I can’t. Make Friday, but that’s fine. What about Thursday? Where’s the. You know, uh, we can put you in a video and bring you walking through the. I could, I could probably do 530 on Thursday. 47 00:18:39,070 --> 00:19:04,330 It might be a little tight, but I could probably make that work if others could do. 530 on Thursday. Thursday is better for me. That anyone. Unfortunately, Thursday. you can’t. We can’t. Do that. They can’t. Okay, so yeah, you got to be there. Kind of keep. Yeah. So we’ll do Friday at 530. Uh thank you. Um. 48 00:19:04,330 --> 00:19:23,730 We’ll make it happen. I mean, right here. So we’ll we can do it and we can do it quickly. What would you like to see on site? Um. Just that, uh, the corner usually. Well, it’s corner can probably spray paint the corners of the building or mark them with cones or whatever, but. Yep. 49 00:19:23,730 --> 00:19:40,000 Um, point up property lines I think is helpful because it’s a little bit confusing. Um, yeah. Just a general layout. I think it’ll be pretty clear, but just. Yeah, the corners of the building would be most helpful to get a sense of the size of it, I think, and how far back it is and whatnot. Okay. Easy. 50 00:19:40,000 --> 00:20:04,570 Um, okay. Uh, do we want any to have any substantive discussion? I would say I think I’m personally okay with the allowing turning both ways, but I’m curious what others would say about the turning into the the town access drive. 51 00:20:04,570 --> 00:20:23,230 I get what you’re saying about, like, if they don’t find parking and they want to access that, otherwise they have to come out and come around. So I, um, that doesn’t ever seem to be that much traffic, but I’m sure during the day it can get busy. Do others have a feeling on that point? Caroline. 52 00:20:23,230 --> 00:20:41,430 It concerns me because this is our one way exit from the town hall. Okay? And you never know how fast people are going to come wheeling around the back of the building. Right. Is that turn? Is it marked as one way? I’ve never really, like paid enough attention to it, you know? So that’s one way.. Yes. Right. Okay. So that. Yeah. 53 00:20:41,430 --> 00:21:00,070 So given that it is one way, uh, without it being probably widened, that probably would be. We’re not we’re not proposing that the actual driveway would be two way. It would just be the connection at the, at the rear of the lot here. Right. Just just here. But my point is people are not expecting two way traffic as they come around the building. 54 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:17,200 I mean, we could certainly mark pavement. Let’s look at that. Maybe on the sidewalk. Yeah. Okay. I think that would be a good thing to. Where the where the entrances set probably would make a big difference. Yeah. Yeah we can mark that. Yep. Yeah. Let’s do that. Let’s not. Okay. 55 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:41,800 One thing that may help you either at the site walk or the subsequent meeting would be if they could provide a blow up of that area, including the parking layout on the town lot, perhaps a stop sign on the drive behind the building so that there’s some traffic control? Yeah. 56 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:59,370 Freeway stop, something. currently parking, just to give you a better sense of how those maneuvers may operate. Right. So just to blow up on an aerial, maybe. So a plan for how you might make it safer, if that’s possible. Yeah. Okay. Um. Oh, actually, and one other thing. 57 00:21:59,370 --> 00:22:21,900 So we got one comment from, um, LP Murray the butter today. Um, and I don’t know what more can be done, to be honest. Um, it may be worth just discussing them with further about noise abatement or something between the two properties just to benefit you and to maybe limit complaints. 58 00:22:21,900 --> 00:22:40,900 But you’re already got the brevity there, which is probably going to abate noise. Yeah. I mean, we recognize the comment and, you know, this will be a rental property as well. It won’t be it won’t be individual owners. Yeah. Yeah, we will be retaining the ownership of the property. 59 00:22:40,900 --> 00:22:58,700 So um, as far as, as far as we’re concerned, we understand it’s an existing business. We’re not going to be trying to limit anything. Noise related on that end. But I mean, I don’t I don’t know what the the neighboring property feel. I mean, I don’t think we can sort of. Yeah. I mean, you’re really tight back there. 60 00:22:58,700 --> 00:23:14,730 So it’s really limited to what you could even do. So but um, it’s always say better working with neighbors to see. No. We definitely. Definitely want a good relationship with them. We hope that they plow our. Yeah. And they, they, they were supportive of the project. So it’s just I think they’re looking at the long term. 61 00:23:14,730 --> 00:23:38,100 So we’ve we’ve met with them already. Yeah. Great. That’s always helpful in this process. Yeah. Eric also a question about the traffic flow. The northeast you said I think is the corner up the top there where. Yep. You’re going to connect through where the condo is. 62 00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:57,270 So there’s there’s an existing connection there now that’s their access to the parking lot is through is through this lot right now. Um, we’re just going to be moving it over slightly and then connecting in. So that will be that will be a standalone connection to that residential property. With signage that it is only for the residents of that property. 63 00:23:57,270 --> 00:24:14,570 Yeah. It’s not a cut through to anything. That’s the spirit of my question. Yeah. What does that look like now? I mean, what is we’ll see this at the walkthrough. But yeah. Is it I just want to I don’t know what the traffic is now. And I believe there’s 4 or 5 condos over there. 64 00:24:14,570 --> 00:24:32,900 Uh, for, for condos now. So it’s relatively low traffic generation. So actually that brings me to thinking about that, that, um, signage wise would probably be good to make sure it’s on the plan if I maybe I missed it, but showing something about. Yep, no access or whatever. What? That’s what that looks like. 65 00:24:32,900 --> 00:24:58,870 If it’s. Yeah. We commented on the on the on the plan. So. Great. Um, anyone else comment before. Two questions? Are we suggesting that the no comment we made on the map, on the drawings concerning the, um, L.B. Murray concerns? I mean, I don’t know what we would comment or would have them comment, but do you have. 66 00:24:58,870 --> 00:25:19,730 I don’t have a suggestion. I’m just saying. I mean, we can we can. Um, we can discuss it. I don’t have an answer how they that that would be addressed. The point the second point that I wanted to raise was there’s a comment in that letter that, um, suggests that, uh, a curiosity. 67 00:25:19,730 --> 00:25:38,730 I’ll leave it at that. Um, I’ll just read into the record because it it’s in bold or headings. We wanted to go on the record. So the quote is, um, well, we know while we know we are grandfathered in, our part of the business district, we all know and have seen businesses forced out. Uh, that’s a that’s a quote. 68 00:25:38,730 --> 00:25:54,470 I’m not sure what the author’s referring to there. I’m just saying that, um, if there’s a concern, it should be raised. I’m not sure what time period the person is talking about. Um, so I just want to make sure that we’re aware that that sentence is in the letter. So that was my point there. 69 00:25:54,470 --> 00:26:12,430 Thank you. I can comment just to say that, you know, we want to bring more businesses to this site. We’re proposing two businesses with the live work units in the back. Um, we plan to hold and operate this site long term, and we so far have had a good relationship with L.P. 70 00:26:12,430 --> 00:26:28,670 Murray and don’t foresee that changing anytime soon. We operate a construction company as well. We’re we’re well aware of what what it means to be living next to a site like that. And, um, you know, we can’t control what anyone else does. 71 00:26:28,670 --> 00:26:54,570 But, um, as far as we’re concerned, we will do what we can to be as good a neighbors as possible. Thank you. Now. Mister Chair, I just have a question. Regarding one item raised in the plan as report on the top of page two, it talks about the town center zoning and in the third line, down on or third line from the bottom of item 72 00:26:54,570 --> 00:27:23,900 number one, it talks about in the first floor of six live work units. But on the plan, it looks like there’s two live work units on the first floor that include three bedrooms. So just a clarification. So the applicant has revised the plan from the initial submission. Okay. 73 00:27:23,900 --> 00:27:40,630 And the revised plan shows six live work units and the work portion of the unit is on the first floor and the bedrooms are on the second floor. These will be okay. So that’s not. Slightly it’s slightly different than. What was. 74 00:27:40,630 --> 00:28:04,000 The comment that is in the memo is based on the plan that we received. That was a revision to what was there’s two. You should have received two plans. There should be one. That is the. You would have received it. Yes. It would have been electronically. Oh, okay. Which we’re all going to be getting better at, right? Yes. Wait, what did I guess. 75 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:21,230 Though they do want our birthdates to sign up for that system. You’re gonna have to. Really? Yes. Wrong. So I stopped doing it at that point. Okay. We’ll do you have the updated plan by chance? We we don’t have it here tonight. Um, okay. It’ll be part of the submission package for. 76 00:28:21,230 --> 00:28:44,070 Okay. Nope. I think Maureen’s explanation is fine. And I’m assuming that’s what the code officer reviewed to indicate it meets the zoning. So is it is there access from the second floor to that first floor space directly, or do. You have. To live within the unit itself? Yeah there is. Okay. So that okay. 77 00:28:44,070 --> 00:29:02,730 This is the revised plan. Um, I think while we’re on this topic, we, uh, are obviously trying to move forward to hit hit some of our funding goals. Okay. Um, as we come to the next phase, we’d love to incorporate any comments you guys have. 78 00:29:02,730 --> 00:29:20,530 If you’re if you’re willing to take some time now to comment on design, we’re happy to to hear it and make sure we incorporate those or anything that is, uh, outstanding. 79 00:29:20,530 --> 00:29:35,970 I mean, I think it looks nice and actually, I’m I’m actually very interested in the live work stuff because it’s seems like kind of a novel thing that I’ve not heard about. But you certainly hear people, you know, baking cupcakes in their toaster oven and their in their in their kitchen and maybe having a little bit of extra space. It might be good for a small business. So I mean, I that seems logical. 80 00:29:35,970 --> 00:29:55,670 I’ve not seen it. So, um, I might add to the mix. And so I think in from that perspective, it could, could be good. I guess the devil’s in the details. Ultimately. And you’ll.. Yeah. Quick question. I’m curious. 81 00:29:55,670 --> 00:30:14,870 Um, did you all consider if they’ve got a restaurant or another business, did you consider where a generator would be located? I may have missed it. Was there a generator on the plan? Um, so we do have some space in the rear that we’re looking at for, um, like, condensers and sort of, sort of mechanical, mechanical, uh, type things that would be fenced and 82 00:30:14,870 --> 00:30:35,630 screened for sure. But it would this will have to be revised a little bit because we haven’t incorporated those new entrances in the back, but we envision something like that being in the rear of the property at the parking lot. Okay, great. 83 00:30:35,630 --> 00:30:56,000 And then a follow up, those condensers, did you look at putting those on the roof? Yep. So the condensers, the current idea and this is still being revised is that this, um, rectangle here behind it, uh, on the side here is actually this is a wall. 84 00:30:56,000 --> 00:31:11,530 And so behind it, the condensers will be located on a flat roof that you will not be able to see from the ground at all. Her goal is to try and hide them. They are cool technology and I don’t love the way they look. All the time. Are they going to be heat pumps? That is the current. Okay. All right. All right. So Dan, very good question about the generator. 85 00:31:11,530 --> 00:31:32,430 And I would add that we’ve seen this before where applicants say initially they don’t want a generator. And then they decide after the fact. I would encourage you to put something in the plan. Even if you decide not to do it now, because then it’s just in the plan at that point. 86 00:31:32,430 --> 00:31:54,700 Um, with the screening, so that you don’t have to come back before us, add the generator. So think about it and add it and not add it now. But I think that’s a good that is a good one. Um, we’ve seen this a lot and it often gets added in after the fact. And that’s helpful. Yeah. Thank you. 87 00:31:54,700 --> 00:32:18,200 Anyone else? Do we have a motion then perhaps. Sure. I have a motion. Um, motion to table B, it ordered that based on the plans and the materials submitted and the facts presented, the application of green Mars real estate services for site plan review to construct a mixed use 88 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:44,900 building located at 316 Ocean Road, ocean House road, be tabled to the August 18th, 2026 meeting of the Planning Board, at which time a public hearing will be held. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion passes. A unanimous thank you. We’ll see you. Uh, Friday. Actually. 89 00:32:44,900 --> 00:33:27,600 Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. Last. Well, not last order, but the next order of business is the paperwork reduction amendments. Uh, the planning board will hold a public hearing on amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinances that create a planning application submission policy and reduce paper submission requirements. Section 1910 three amendments. 90 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:50,600 Public hearing. I will just add that this was my my idea originally. Um, we were inundated, I would say buy the garbage bag full of of plan material, which through, you know, was necessary at the time given the what was required. 91 00:33:50,600 --> 00:34:12,470 But it seemed like a lot more paper than there was necessary to provide this day and age where we have digital submissions. And in fact, it’s just simply hard to go through and deal with all that. So we were hoping to get down to sort of the minimum paper submission requirement feasible for the planning board to review. 92 00:34:12,470 --> 00:34:36,600 And, um, knowing that everything is going to the full package is going to be made digital. And in fact, there’s no change to actually what the requirements are. It’s simply how they’re being submitted. So this is about that. 93 00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:57,330 How do we get there? What are those changes look like? Um, we have discussed uh, in workshop and now, uh, at this point we are ready to discuss further and have a hearing on this. Um, Maureen, what’s my next step here? Do we have a hearing first? Well, you’ve summarized. The proposed. Changes, and now I think you’re. Unless there’s a member of the board who has a question, you can open here. 94 00:34:57,330 --> 00:35:18,670 Okay. With the many, many people lined up to speak. If if there is a clarifying question that might help the public understand and perhaps form their question better, does anyone have anything they want to state? Until we know, well, let’s open the public hearing on this. Uh, nobody in the audience here. 95 00:35:18,670 --> 00:35:47,500 So if there’s anyone online who’d like to speak, please raise your hand and we will give you the time to speak. Seeing. Nobody who would like to speak. Digitally or in the audience. We will close the public hearing and we can now open it up for the board to discuss these amendments and changes. Natalie. 96 00:35:47,500 --> 00:36:11,730 I just had a couple of things that I should have called Maureen about, but didn’t get a chance to. Um, I noted that the subdivision ordinance actually has a couple of provisions. Um, specifically section 162-3, subsection A, and it talks about the number of copies that need to be submitted. 97 00:36:11,730 --> 00:36:34,600 And of course, will not be consistent with this. So that will need to be changed. Um, to be consistent. And in addition, um, section 16, dash two, dash four, A and C also talk about the number of plans and again refer to eight copies. So those will need to be revised to be consistent with this. 98 00:36:34,600 --> 00:37:03,300 Um, or to, to reference the the policy, uh, or the appendix one or the other. And then the second one, uh, or the third one, which is very minor, is that, um, on page one, line 29, it should say application for major subdivision review instead of minor subdivision review. Which page? One. Are you? Good. 99 00:37:03,300 --> 00:37:24,870 Catch page one of the actual amendments. So it’s like page four of the the document. But page one on the. Just wanted. To make sure. I was. Yes, that was confusing. You have three here. So maybe page five I don’t know. 100 00:37:24,870 --> 00:37:55,770 How are you if you want to count the blank pages? Um, anyone else find anything that was. I mean, this cleans things up very well and puts everything in the policy document, which is. On page. We get to the policy draft on page two. The fourth item, number one, page answers. I find it, found it. Excuse me. 101 00:37:55,770 --> 00:38:18,170 I found it a bit confusing that, um, it talks about.. Everything must be PDF. And then in the last sentence it gives an exclusion or. But it doesn’t say that that exclusion must be sanctioned in some way. 102 00:38:18,170 --> 00:38:47,170 It just makes it sound like, well, if you can’t get the PDF done, you can go ahead and just just, uh, take it out and take picture or whatever. As long as it’s so I don’t have a problem with the exclusion or the exception, I should say. I just think it should be marked as an exception and it must be approved. Allowing scanned documents instead of, uh, searchable PDF. 103 00:38:47,170 --> 00:39:04,230 I don’t, frankly, have a problem with that because it says maybe scanned if there is no ability. So it’s sort of like this is our last resort situation. But who decides there’s no ability and who’s. Yeah, I mean, people get lazy. Uh, I mean. I’m just I’m not saying we shouldn’t do it. 104 00:39:04,230 --> 00:39:28,070 I’m just saying that they should have to ask permission to do it and not just do it without prior approval. If that was amended to say plans may be scanned if the town planner determines there is no ability. Yeah, and. Add to. Her. Just add to her power. Just thing that says it has to be. We have to know what’s happening kind of thing. 105 00:39:28,070 --> 00:39:46,730 Don’t just orient. Are you having heartache over this? Frankly, I think most. And I assume you can back me up. Most shops are going to not want to scan anything that they can possibly I. I agree with you 100%. It’s just if you’ve got an exception. Make sure. No. Yeah. Noted as an exception. That’s all. 106 00:39:46,730 --> 00:40:12,870 Yeah. I think the exception would be it’s a prior approved site plan and it was done by a different firm, or it was done in a blueprint. God forbid. Uh, and in that case, a scan would be the only way to do it. They could talk to the planner. Right, and get that concurrence. Yeah. That’s it. 107 00:40:12,870 --> 00:40:35,070 That’s simple. So, for example, when the church did the daycare, that might have been an example of something because that was an older site plan. Okay. That makes sense. I did have one other thing in the policy. Um, in the introductory introduction, it talks about in accordance with subdivision and zoning ordinances. 108 00:40:35,070 --> 00:40:57,130 Do we also have to refer to the private drive and resource protection permit requirements? So both of those are in the zoning ordinance. Frankly, I would be happy. 109 00:40:57,130 --> 00:41:18,800 I would be happy if you took that out in accordance, because that way, if the board is ever conveyed any responsibility for reviewing things that are in other ordinances, we can still use a submission policy. So your suggestion would be strike in accordance with. , correct? Yes. It’s just any submission to the board. Yeah, that makes sense I don’t that’s just superfluous at that point. It gives you more flexibility. All right. I did have one query. 110 00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:42,100 So when these changes to the ordinance gets adopted, uh, who puts in the, um, that little reference? It says it’s effective as of such and such date. Uh, are we talking about the ordinance? Yes. The ordinance that would be done by the person who has to type it in. 111 00:41:42,100 --> 00:42:03,970 And the effective date is established by the town clerk, which is 30 days after the town council votes to approve it. Then. Thank you. The date that goes on the policy document. I would put that as the policy document. I still have to figure that out, because I don’t think the council has to approve that. 112 00:42:03,970 --> 00:42:23,670 And but I’m not going to get into an argument with council about that. I suggest no date, just the month and year. That’s fine. Okay. And on the going forward, I think we should have like a version control type of things like this. And then it gets replaced by such and such things so that it is a tracking. 113 00:42:23,670 --> 00:42:44,530 I mean, that was the only reason I put the date in there. It’s just like your planning board rules of procedure. We put a date in so that we know if we’re using the old one or the current one. Well, I, I kind of want an actual day because I could see this. I don’t want any ambiguity. 114 00:42:44,530 --> 00:43:00,330 Do you think we’ll have two versions of the policy in one month? In one month? If somebody if somebody if somebody says no, but but if somebody’s. Gonna have a. 115 00:43:00,330 --> 00:43:17,600 Day preparing something and it’s something changes and they’re like, well, which day did did that come out okay? Oh, it’s June. Um, so I don’t think there’s I agree there’s not going to be two changes, but there might be if there was a like a severe typo or something and you’re like, oh crap, we need to. So I don’t think it’s it effectively works. Is version control. In that case, I agree. 116 00:43:17,600 --> 00:43:44,370 We’re back to month day year. Yes, we’re all agreed on month a year. Unless you’re feeling European, then you can do a year. Yeah. It’s the only way. Uh, any other changes or comments? Um, should we acknowledge that we received a letter from John Mitchell Mitchell and Associates? Yes. 117 00:43:44,370 --> 00:44:07,300 Dated today in support of three of the amendments. Just wanted to put that on the record as well. Yeah, I seemed like they were very supportive of what we were proposing, which is great. I, um, it’s always good to have support for something we’re trying to, to achieve here. I think this will help everybody. 118 00:44:07,300 --> 00:44:33,930 So limit costs to developers, limit cost to even private citizens that are resubmitting things, limit time for the planning board to sort through materials and limit chiropractic costs. You know, all that. Um, what’s our what are we are we basically, if there’s no more discussion, I guess we can take a vote on this. 119 00:44:33,930 --> 00:45:03,000 Asking for a motion, sir, please. Yeah. Sorry. Not a vote, but a motion and then a vote. But you’re correct. I have a motion. Actually. My colleague has a motion. Oh, damn. Please. That was nifty. Oh, here. It is. 120 00:45:03,000 --> 00:45:24,730 I’d like to make a motion, be it ordered, that based on the amendments, policy and information presented, the Planning Board recommends the paper reduction amendments to the Town Council for consideration. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? I’d like to propose an amendment to it. Go for it. Well, I already said what it was. I’d like to propose an amendment that we also include. 121 00:45:24,730 --> 00:45:52,470 Um, amendments to section 16-23, a 16 dash two, dash four A and 16-24C to make those consistent with these changes. So in other words, it will it will eliminate the requirement for eight the submission of eight plan sets. Thank you Natalie. Is that agreeable. I accept those amendment okay. 122 00:45:52,470 --> 00:46:20,400 And in addition to that, um, an amendment to, uh, appendix B. Well, page one of the amendments, line 29, uh, application for major subdivision review. By consensus. Oh, well, never mind that. Okay. So that was the amendment. Never mind the second part of it. Just the first part. I accept the first. Part just so that we’re done. 123 00:46:20,400 --> 00:46:45,870 It doesn’t these are friendly amendments. So whatever we haven’t covered should be covered by the motion that we’ve talked about. Now. I because I think. you’re asking. Well, the friendly amendment thing is a is new to me. But it’s just an amendment. We’re good. I think we’re good. Let’s not let’s not let’s. not complicate this. Yes. Yeah. 124 00:46:45,870 --> 00:47:18,400 We have a motion. We have a second. We have some additional amendments and we’re all good. So all in favor? The motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Now, last order of business, public comment items not on the agenda. No one in the audience here. If anyone online would like to speak on items not on the agenda, please raise. 125 00:47:18,400 --> 00:47:43,570 I have a request from an applicant who’s about to submit to the planning board, and their query was if if they could use the amendments you have just submitted to the council as a guideline for their own submissions. Because they’re not active. Yet. Correct. 126 00:47:43,570 --> 00:48:06,500 These will the the amendments won’t be effective until the council votes to adopt them. But the planning Board does have opportunities to waive submission requirements. So the the question is, are you willing to have applicants follow these as a guideline until the council votes? The council says no. It doesn’t matter. We have the authority to waive them. 127 00:48:06,500 --> 00:48:31,570 So I think the fact that we voted unanimously in in least in my authority, I would say yes, go for it. You you have authority to waive submission requirements. You don’t have the authority to waive standards. 128 00:48:31,570 --> 00:48:51,900 So what you would be doing is using your current authority to provide flexibility and how many paper copies you’re getting based on what’s already here. And if you say, yeah, we’re okay doing that, that means an applicant is feeling a lot more comfortable when they make a submission using these rules that it will be deemed complete. I say yes. because it also will be a good test of how well we handle. It. 129 00:48:51,900 --> 00:49:15,330 Yep. Agreed. And you know, if the council decides they don’t like it, then they will revert to something else. Revert back, or have further changes on top of that. But I’m feeling I feel good. I’m certainly supportive. So if somebody’s not, then please speak up. But I’m fine with it. Okay. 130 00:49:15,330 --> 00:49:38,270 I would say then provide the directive that we will support the the submission using this guidance. And um, if they have questions about any detail in it, I’m sure they can find you. Marina. Great. Uh, well, nobody raised their hand online, so have no further public comment, I would say. Would you. 131 00:49:38,270 --> 00:49:38,270 Like a motion? Yes, I would love one motion. We adjourn. Second. We have a motion. And a second. Any discussion on adjourning? No. Any. Oh, okay. We should vote. All in favor? Unanimous.