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Log inCriticism greets possible new role for Planning Board
Criticism greets possible new role for Planning Board
by Outspoken on Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:17 am
AUGUSTA: Criticism greets possible new role for Planning Board
BY KEITH EDWARDS
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal
AUGUSTA -- Residents, business owners and city officials said a proposal requiring even the smallest new commercial development and multifamily dwelling projects on city "gateway" roads to be reviewed by Planning Board goes too far and would affect too many property owners.
Planners proposed the change as a way to prevent nearly unchecked development on lots smaller than an acre on major routes into and out of the city.
Currently, such projects disturbing less than an acre of land don't go to the Planning Board, as long as the proposed use is allowed in that zone. On such a project, the city currently requires only a review by the code enforcement officer before issuing a building permit.
To illustrate the need for the new rule, Matthew Nazar, deputy director of development services for the city, said someone could build a building as large as the downtown KeyBank building without Planning Board review, because it is on less than an acre.
City Councilor Michael Byron said as many as 1,100 property owners would affected by the proposal.
The so-called gateway streets where the new rules would be in effect are: Western Avenue from Interstate 95 to Memorial Circle; Memorial Circle; Cony Circle; Bangor Street; Riverside Drive from Bangor Street to Route 3; State Street; Mt. Vernon Avenue; Sewall Street from Western Avenue to the Hallowell line; Capitol Street; Armory Street; Winthrop Street; Leighton Road; Stone Street; Hospital Street from Stone Street to Piggery Road; Cony Street from the Kennebec River to South Belfast Avenue; Water Street; Northern Avenue; and Grove Street from Memorial Circle to Water Street.
Planning Board members noted many of those streets are actually one street, with two different names on different sections.
Several other participants at a joint session Thursday of the City Council and Planning Board said Augusta does not have 18 streets that should be considered major gateways.
Others said going before the Planning Board for major development review, as would be required by the change, would burden property owners.
"Regardless of the size of their property, that means thousands of dollars in application fees and additional startup costs," said resident Don Roberts. "I believe people who own this property -- 1,100 parcels worth -- are going to be somewhat upset. I hope this isn't an overreaction to Augusta's success. I think we want a business-friendly city."
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5472478.html
BY KEITH EDWARDS
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal
AUGUSTA -- Residents, business owners and city officials said a proposal requiring even the smallest new commercial development and multifamily dwelling projects on city "gateway" roads to be reviewed by Planning Board goes too far and would affect too many property owners.
Planners proposed the change as a way to prevent nearly unchecked development on lots smaller than an acre on major routes into and out of the city.
Currently, such projects disturbing less than an acre of land don't go to the Planning Board, as long as the proposed use is allowed in that zone. On such a project, the city currently requires only a review by the code enforcement officer before issuing a building permit.
To illustrate the need for the new rule, Matthew Nazar, deputy director of development services for the city, said someone could build a building as large as the downtown KeyBank building without Planning Board review, because it is on less than an acre.
City Councilor Michael Byron said as many as 1,100 property owners would affected by the proposal.
The so-called gateway streets where the new rules would be in effect are: Western Avenue from Interstate 95 to Memorial Circle; Memorial Circle; Cony Circle; Bangor Street; Riverside Drive from Bangor Street to Route 3; State Street; Mt. Vernon Avenue; Sewall Street from Western Avenue to the Hallowell line; Capitol Street; Armory Street; Winthrop Street; Leighton Road; Stone Street; Hospital Street from Stone Street to Piggery Road; Cony Street from the Kennebec River to South Belfast Avenue; Water Street; Northern Avenue; and Grove Street from Memorial Circle to Water Street.
Planning Board members noted many of those streets are actually one street, with two different names on different sections.
Several other participants at a joint session Thursday of the City Council and Planning Board said Augusta does not have 18 streets that should be considered major gateways.
Others said going before the Planning Board for major development review, as would be required by the change, would burden property owners.
"Regardless of the size of their property, that means thousands of dollars in application fees and additional startup costs," said resident Don Roberts. "I believe people who own this property -- 1,100 parcels worth -- are going to be somewhat upset. I hope this isn't an overreaction to Augusta's success. I think we want a business-friendly city."
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/5472478.html
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
