Public Present
Greg Johnston, Dennis Smith, Michael Ross, Chuck Bucklin, Stephen Mohr, and Story Litchfield
Board Members Present
Sandy Andrews; Ellen Brawley, Chair; and James Clunan, Vice Chairman
Claire Woolfolk, Recording Secretary
- The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Ellen Brawley.
- Public Hearings
Conditional Use Approval Application(s):
A. Conditional Use Approval Application # 002-2012
NAME: Edward McCormick Blair, Jr. 50% int. & Francis I. Blair, 50% int.
AGENT: Mohr & Seredin Landscape Architects – Stephen B. Mohr
LOCATION: 66 Manchester Road, Northeast Harbor
TAX MAP: 27 LOT: 4 ZONE(S): Shoreland Residential 2
PURPOSE: Sections 3.4 & 6B.7 – Excavation or filling in excess of 50
cubic.yards.
This hearing is continued from February 27, 2012.
Sandy Andrews, Ellen Brawley, and James Clunan are the voting members for the hearing tonight.
Mr. Mohr reported that his client, Mr. Blair, and the abutter, Mr. Rales, have come to a compromise on the project. The low retaining wall that was in close proximity to both properties will not be built and both properties will use fill to resolve the issue of stormwater flow and blending of the landscape. He reported on the changes that have been made. The low retaining wall has been removed. The grade will be adjusted by joint grading and filling by each property owner to create the desired elevation. Mr. Mohr reported for the record that the present stockpile of stones are there as the result of the demolition of a couple of buildings; they will be removed and reused as a veneer on other parts of the house. The drainage system has not changed and will remain the same as shown in
previous plans.
Mr. Andrews questioned how the grading would now look. Mr. Mohr reported that the grade will slope in the direction of the sound down towards the property line. A surface inlet will be built into the project and include an under drain below the swale. The swale will catch and direct the water flow down towards the drain line.
Mr. Ross said that on behalf of his client, Stephen Rales, an application has been filed with the town to put fill on Mr. Rales’ property.
Mr. Clunan suggested amending the site visit report to include some additional comments from observations he made. He asked Mr. Mohr to clarify the meaning of the blue flags that have been placed on the property. Mr. Mohr replied that the tops of the flags were +/- 3” of where the top of the grade will be in those areas. The purpose was to provide a visual of the project elevations. Mr. Clunan also said he couldn’t see how the abutter’s view from the bedroom above the garage or someone standing on the balconies off the bedroom would have their northerly view obstructed by the project. The view beyond the Blair’s house is wooded. The only item of distinction is the osprey nest which is currently obscured by the trees on the Rales property and partially obscured by
trees in the wooded area north of the Blair’s house. The views to the west towards the water could be described as obscured, but resemble the sort of design David Rockefeller and Beatrix Farrand designed with the Park whereby the views of the water on the island are viewed through trees, which has been complimented many times by people visiting the island as an outstanding way to present this island. Further, the placement of the fill would not unduly obstruct scenic views from the neighboring property to the south, whether standing on the deck, on the balcony, from the bedroom window, or in front on the yard. There would also be no impact of the view from the water.
The motion to find the application complete was made and carried on February 13, 2012.
Since the voting members have changed since the original motion was made, a new motion to approve was made by the voting members present tonight.
Motion to approve the application OF Edward and Francis Blair for placement of fill on 66 Manchester Road, Northeast Harbor, TAX MAP 27 LOT 4, Shoreland zone Residential 2, Be approved was MADE by Mr. Clunan; seconded by Mr. Andrews.
The review of the Standards of Section 6 of the LUZO, as amended May 3, 2011 began again from 6A.1 since Mr. Andrews was not present at the meeting on February 27, 2012. (See attached checklist for CUA # 002-2012.)
At the request of Mr. Mohr, the Board made a motion to find that Section 5.8 standards have been met.
A MOTION THAT THE STANDARDS OF SECTION 5.8 HAVE BEEN MET IN THE APPLICATION WAS MADE BY Mr. Andrews; seconded by Mr. Clunan
A VOTE WAS CALLED AND THE MOTION TO THAT THE STANDARDS OF SECTION 5.8 HAVE BEEN MET CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (3-0).
A VOTE WAS CALLED AND THE MOTION TO APPROVE CUA# 002-2012 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (3-0).
IV. Other Business
The workshop scheduled for March 15, 2012 was cancelled by the Board members present at the meeting tonight.
V. A MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY Mr. Andrews; SECONDED BY Mr. Clunan.
A VOTE WAS CALLED AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (3-0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. The next scheduled meeting/public hearing(s) is at 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2012 in the Meeting Room, Town Hall, Northeast Harbor.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Andrews, Secretary Pro-tem
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