Wales Planning Board Meeting

April 9, 2007

Minutes

 

Board Members In Attendance:  Alice DiPaolo (Chair), Lori Blier (Secretary), Eric Gagnon (WPB), Lyndon Spaulding (WPB)

 

Ø      Alice opened the meeting at 7:07.  The minutes were reviewed by board members and unanimously accepted with the correction of this meeting date as April 9 instead of April 8.  Lori will make the correction and file the minutes accordingly. 

Ø      Lori presented the map that was sent by Rich Baker outlining the new “Resource Protection” areas identified for the new Shoreland Zoning Map.  She indicated that he wanted us to let him know what areas, if any, had already been developed or that the town had concerns with so that they would not be zoned as Resource Protection areas along with adoption of the new shoreland zoning ordinance language mandated by recent state law.  Members referred to the tax maps and the proposed modified map from DEP and noted that there were some areas that appeared to be qualified as “developed”.  The board identified areas on the Ridge Road and on the East Road that appeared to fall into the proposed resource protection areas that were currently developed.  During the review of the maps, the board discussed whether or not it would be appropriate to contact the landowners who had property in the expanded Resource Protection areas on the shoreland zoning map.  The board seemed to think it would be a good idea, but wasn’t sure whether that task fell to the board or to town office staff.  Regardless of where it should be, the selectmen and CEO should review the potential zoning changes in the areas highlighted by the board to determine whether or not to exclude any of the area as already developed or erroneously identified as significant wetland area.  The specific areas the board has identified for further review are the East Road, Deer Run/Collins Road development area and the Balsam Lane Development area.  There is also an area on the Ridge Road – the area in red on the map – that should be reviewed.  Lori will provide the selectmen and CEO with copies of these minutes and notes to indicate their required input in determining areas already considered as developed.

Ø      Lori will provide the Article language for the town meeting for the amended/updated ordinances for the selectmen prior to the May 1 deadline.

Ø      Alice advise the board that the April 2 Public Hearing was attended by herself, Eric and Paul Burgess as the selectmen’s representative.  No citizens from the town came and they closed up shop at 7:35.

Ø      There was some discussion on the further pursuit of the Mining Ordinance.  Eric indicated that Paul Burgess indicated his concern was with mining or excavation of areas under the 5 acre limit that is overseen by DEP.  Eric will try to contact the DEP mining expert to get information on the effectiveness of these types of ordinances and what should be included in them.

Ø      Board members present signed the final Hemlock Ridge subdivision plan as amended to meet the DEP regulations regarding the Maxwell Swamp wetland areas within the subdivision area.

Ø      The next regular meeting will be held on May 7, 2007.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lori Blier, Secretary