Town of Buxton Planning Board
Minutes
Monday, July 21, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Recorded by: Krystal Dyer
Members in attendance: Mark Blier, Christopher Carroll, Keith Emery, Jeremiah Ross and Larry Curtis.
Members not in attendance: none
Others in attendance:
Keith called the July 21, 2014 meeting to order by starting the pledge of allegiance
Site walk review for Chad & Cheryl Poitras who are requesting a conditional use permit for a proposed funeral home located at 498 Long Plains Road. Tax Map 3, Lot 47.
Chad is proposing to open a funeral home at 498 long plains road. The Board requested a formal site plan for the property, which Robert Yarumian has completed. Three Board members attended the site walk. One of the concerns was if there was a huge funeral. Chad figured in overflow parking on the plan. Fire chief has looked at the building and given a list of his required improvements.
Larry’s biggest concern is with the speed limit being 45 mph and the entrance to the funeral home being at a 90 degree angle based on the plan. Chad says the driveway entrance will be 20’ wide and widens out towards the road for turning cars. Also the driveway is in a straight away and he plans to open up it up more by removing trees.
Jere mentioned that the MDOT entrance permit was approved. He does not see a copy of 8.2.b.6 storm water drainage system plan and 8.2.b.7 erosion and sedimentation control plan, which are required in the ordinance. This is required for the parking lot. Chad was unaware.
Mark questioned the proposed partially paved drive way and reads Section 10.7.b.3 of the ordinance which requires pavement or concrete. Chad plans to have crushed rocks like the Flanagan Farm parking lot, but it will be lite. The future addition is planned to begin relatively soon. Keith stressed the addition will not need to return for Planning Board approval because it is on this plan. The square footage includes both floors and one bump out on back equals approximately 1740 sq. ft. The ordinance requires 29 parking spaces and the plan is showing 32 spaces.
Christopher confirms the handicapped space and walkway by the northwest side of the building.
Keith gives an overview of what was discussed at the site walk and he agrees with the driveway being moved. Chad did not want the vehicle headlights shining into the house across the road at night time. All outside light fixtures will be down cast and the sign will be illuminated with one spot light on each side. Keith added that the house sits back and he is not concerned with the site distance or the storm water runoff. The Fire Chiefs letter has a list of requirements and suggestions of Fire safety issues. Most are common sense requirements and Chad has no problem with them. The only one is the hazardous chemical storage, the embalming chemicals come in 12 ounce bottles, it is very minimal.
- Jere set public hearing on August 11, 2014 for Chad and Cheryl Poitras for a conditional use permit for a funeral home at 498 Long Plains Road. Tax Map 3, Lot 47. Seconded by Chris, passes with a 5 – 0 vote.
Chris Nadeau of Nobis Engineering, Inc. is requesting a pre-application for a proposed Dollar General at 422 Narragansett Trail. A portion of Tax Map 5, Lot 47.
John Notella from Zuremba Group out of Lakewood Ohio and Chris Neadeau of Nobis
Engineering out of New Hampshire presented the pre-application for a proposed Dollar General at 422 Narragansett trail. They currently have a purchase agreement to acquire the property. Historically this property was used for an auto salvage business. There are no buildings on the property. Odd shaped designed so the frontage extends past the Hannaford entrance so our driveway lines up with their entrance off of Narragansett Trail (Route 202). They have completed the wetlands delineation, geo tech evaluation, environmental evaluation along with property survey and title report. Dollar General is open 7 day a week, 8 am to 10 pm. The company has been in existence for over 70 years selling leading national brands general merchandise. Packaged food, limited grocery, snacks, greeting cards,
stationary, beauty, over the counter pharmacy supplies, cleaning supplies, seasonal and personal care items. Their moto is “Today’s neighborhood general store serving the needs of its customers every day by providing convenience, value, and service”. There are over 11,000 stores nationwide, the closest is in Tilton New Hampshire. This store will be owned and operated by Dollar General. The building design has one entry along the short wall end of the 9,100 sq. ft. building. One sign proposed for the building.
Chris Neadeau spoke about the site plan saying it will have a shared entrance directly across from the Hannaford entrance, having full access with a left and right out and single lane in. The left side of the building has space so a full size truck can access the loading dock and trash area. We will return with a full application, lighting and storm water design, etc.
Feedback from the Board:
Mark asked for an explanation of the zigzag lines on the plan. The zigzag lines indicate the wetlands. A shared driveway means the owner of the remaining land will have an easement over Dollar Generals driveway in order to access their property. The property will be subdivided leaving the owner to retain four (4) acres.
The parking spaces are proposed on the front and side of the building. Keith does not have an issue with the parking on the front of the building. Jere referenced Section 10.7.b of the ordinance, stating the Planning Board could waive the requirement if the applicant can prove that it is safe and best for the health and welfare of the customers and the community. Jere asked the applicant to show the additional 25 parking spaces on an impervious surface. The Ordinance requires 60 parking spaces, the applicant is requesting to have only 35. Krystal will check with town council to see if the Board can waive any parking spaces. There are no variance for parking requirements. A full set of plans will be submitted before the second meeting in August. There is
some discussion on the setbacks from the wetlands located in the rear.
Chris asked if the driveway entry to the parking area is accessible from both directions. It does not look like a safe left hand turn into a 45 mph zone. The applicant will submit for MDOT review. The building design is typically for a Dollar General, if the Board has any design standards, please let them know.
CEO Report: none
Approval of Minutes:
May 12, 2014
- Motioned by Larry to approve the minutes of Monday, May 12th as amended, seconded by Chris. The motion passed with a 5 – 0 vote.
June 23, 2014
- Motioned by Christopher, seconded by Larry to amend the date on the agenda from May to June and approve the minutes as corrected. The motion passed with a 4 – 0 -1 abstention.
Approval of Bills:
Pay Portland Press Herald in the amount of $24.80 to cover the legal ad for Alan Wright.
- Motioned by Larry, seconded by Chris to pay Portland Press Herald in the amount of $24.80. The motion passed with a 5 -0 vote.
Communications:
~info submitted by Cliff Thomas – discussion with Cliff Thomas on Shoreland
Zoning Review. Have not heard anything back from SMRPDC.
~July Maine townsman
Other Business:
~Review findings of facts for Alan Wright - due to errors in the documentation the board was not able to review. Correct and resubmit for the next meeting.
~Election of Officers
Chairman – Chris nominates Keith for Chair the motion, seconded by Mark, the motion
passes with a 4 –0-1.
Vice Chair – Larry nominates Chris for Vice Chair the motion, seconded by Larry, the motion passes with a 4 –0-1.
Treasurer – Jere nominates Larry for Treasurer, seconded by Keith the motion passes with a 4 –0-1.
Secretary – Jere nominates Mark for Secretary, seconded by Chris, the motion passes with a 4 –0-1.
~Keith questions the dog kennel application at the last meeting why they did not have to come before the board. The definition of kennel changed in 2009 and the board determined the applicant had family pets and where not for commercial use.
The board discussed the by-laws approval, Krystal will re-submit for next meeting.
Attendees may address the Board on the evening’s agenda: none at this time.
- Adjourn: Motioned by Mark, seconded by Larry to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. it was a unanimous vote.
Approval Date: ___________
________________________ ___________________
Keith Emery, Chairman Date
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