Planning Board Workshop
October 21, 2003
Present: Board Members: Chris Cronan (Chair), John Manter, Terry Studley, Suzanne Malis-Anderson, David Wardrop, Harold Pinkham (arrived @ 4:40)
Town Officials: William Reed (Manager), Allen Thomas (CEO), John Ellis (Asst. CEO), Beckie-Jo Woods (Deputy Clerk).
Representatives: Terry Dewan, and Amy Seigal (Community Master Planners)
-Chris Cronan called the workshop to order @ 4:00 pm
-Terry Dewan started out with an overview with what he would like to come out of this workshop for the future.
Introduction:
-Terry Dewan asked how the Planning Board feels that the Master Plan fits with the comprehensive plan. He also inquired as to whether the Board has looked at other towns’ Master Plans and if the Town’s maps are easily accessible to the public.
-John Manter mentioned that road networks, and development, are part of the Comp. Plan. He also stated that the Board has looked at other Towns for Transfer of Development Rights Ordinances, but not master plans. John mentioned that the approx. time frame for the Master Plan implementation is one year.
-Allan Thomas stated that the maps can be seen on James Sewell Co. website. Also three of the large developers have already purchased the mapping.
The Board discussed some of the areas that they feel are important to the Town. The areas are as follows:
1. Trail Systems,
2. Davis Field,
3. Rural and Natural Areas,
4. Interlinking of residential and natural areas,
5. Residents can walk out their back door and connect to the trails,
6. Children can walk to school,
7. River frontage,
8. Interlinking village with riverfront,
9. Location is unique,
10. Small town with big town assets,
11. Mostly a residential area, not commercial,
12. Two hundred thousand dollar houses next to trailer parks.
The Board also discussed fears regarding open space and those are as follows:
1. Urban Sprawl from Bangor,
2. Creep of commercial property,
3. Losing open space piece by piece,
4. Loss of trails,
5. Losing the view of Davis Farm,
6. Loss of view sheds.
Threat to open space:
1. Posted land by owners. Not permitting people access to trails
Hopes for open spaces:
1. Preserve as much land as possible,
2. Connecting the trail system to Bangor and Orono,
3. Preserve the Davis Farm property,
4. Combine open space into closer areas instead of scattered,
5. Connect the two Town forests on either side of Chase Road.
6.
There was discussion of where future roads should be placed and where development should take place.
The Board made a list of what steps should be taken next.
1. Where to develop future roads and road networks,
2. Terry Dewan will come up with sketches of the proposed roads,
3. Advantages and disadvantages to different roads,
4. Would like to discuss the conservation build out approach,
5. Discuss giving a minimum and maximum square footage for developers to use,
6. Prioritize and put values on the undeveloped land.
-Next meeting – November 10, 2003 @ 7:00 p.m.
-The workshop adjourned @ 8:40 p.m.
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