[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6509981,"mediaKeyId","5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9","parentId",5416255,"title","Comprehensive plan submitted to state; Planning Board discusses training opportunities","audioSeconds",325,"startMs",2982000,"endMs",3307000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9&start=2982&end=3307","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9/thumbnail_2982000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509981/Maine/Comprehensive-plan-submitted-to-state-Planning-Board-discusses-training-opportunities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509981-837008ffaf7cff8162cbfddc39e45a2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774926898&Signature=HyUXAaz4MNxNt8Okq3pnorE4w9flWyS4xHPudd05f7BN68cNkWBJDDQyuP~-hdeBIaAWlmEbzWav7eF5T8rv-ESDkjCayd2vLo1GjvqxJ14An781Jxkv0c2nZIpgOBpgmed2n4Mc6Z0-11CW3b2QaHW1IJf1MEMGEQtejg1zpgRvRTx2I8pSvfhJytOOs3vqqGOacnkdUjg4aJUKEmtcELV4WCF1hr2N5~BmbSnwXBFaiKTuf1F6hsrxXoNNiAn1G3T29HFLW91wn876R1Zps~Wi2vrRuD75a626mTpzaYqAwdaj3jTpEv8l3vVJxMZHHMduErP73fQZ~AhJ0Z37jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Skowhegan, ME ","date","2025-07-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning Board confirmed that the town’s updated comprehensive plan has been submitted to the state and is under review. According to the meeting record, the state review process includes five weeks for public comment and two weeks for state review before the board will be notified of next steps.

Board members also discussed opportunities for training. The Maine Municipal Association and other organizations offer planning-board training later in the year, including sessions that may be hybrid or available by Zoom. Board members suggested the town consider hosting a training session for local boards at the recreation center to broaden participation and reduce travel barriers for members who work daytime hours.

Staff said they would circulate invitations and information about upcoming training opportunities to board members and would explore options to host a local session if demand exists. Several members signaled interest in attending future trainings to refresh planning and legal knowledge relevant to ordinance work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Board 7-15-25","oneSentenceSummary","The board reported the town’s comprehensive plan is currently with the state for review; members also discussed upcoming planning-board training offerings and the possibility of hosting local training for board members and neighboring towns.","taxTitle","Planning Board, Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine","taxId",72629,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509987,"Planning Board reviews utility-scale solar ordinance edits; seeks developer feedback and considers battery rules",805,2025000,2830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9&start=2025&end=2830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9/thumbnail_2025000.jpg","/articles/6509987/Maine/Planning-Board-reviews-utility-scale-solar-ordinance-edits-seeks-developer-feedback-and-considers-battery-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509987-b1cff2d762ba88d22864830c98471d06/orig.mp4?Expires=1774926898&Signature=C7L8Mjvvbrytg86UCSNXqk4k3AgbJ3VTyvt351ITF0HdkQ~sMR2Yq8QnTw1RHESvpijxK5Kcrxt34e5f9-o1RLl5THb-Jh271Pt2Rqz4vFW4FM8AYVH-9Mewxv9VMUDYN1zcstZ~InFqluTTkucFMZga5AyQOb3ibHaE4p5ewNoH7azgnyzjHFxj6P8ZzTZV7RnUiqUUtzvtK0948r1kQzeuZ8UrXIWfQvUyhASm1KdQgPCyTefwS55PJlohwphwlWPOhySevfe9rzT0rait2Uu9HahQ7sfa8Fqkz9A8dxx-Tt7dmaLo5vIIVXOcBmeYVNWxMW9ro~6In1ugU1m0kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board reviewed proposed edits to the town’s utility-scale solar ordinance and agreed to solicit feedback from solar developers before scheduling a public hearing. The board’s edits include revised setback language, a new emergency-services subsection addressing fire suppression and a deletion of a previous subsection (section k).

The board discussed outreach: staff will email developers on an internal list and encourage recipients to share the draft with peers; staff will also prepare a one-page notice for the town website and social media. Board members said they prefer soliciting developer feedback first, then holding a later public hearing for residents.

Substantive edits discussed in the meeting include revised setbacks and fire-suppression requirements. A planning-board speaker proposed a minimum buffer of 250 feet from any property line and no closer than 100 feet from any dwelling unit. Members also discussed battery-storage facilities as an emerging issue and suggested requiring battery storage systems to sit on a noncombustible surface (for example a gravel or rock pad) and to be set within a contained area to reduce fire risk. Staff said they would research sample battery-storage language used by other Maine municipalities to add a single, imperative provision to the draft ordinance.

Fire-suppression measures drew extended discussion. Board members noted that existing ground-mounted arrays have rarely experienced fire incidents locally but that the growing use of battery storage and the differing designs of utility projects make emergency response planning more urgent. Suggestions included vehicle access routes, cleared perimeter strips, and coordination with local fire departments on suppression training and equipment needs.

The board approved sending the draft ordinance to developers for review and directed staff to compile any written comments and present compiled feedback at a future meeting. The board did not set a public-hearing date during the meeting, and the ordinance will not be adopted until subsequent hearings and votes.","Board members reviewed modest edits to the utility-scale solar ordinance — including revised setbacks and a new fire-suppression/ emergency-services section — and voted to solicit feedback from developers before a public hearing; members also discussed adding clearer battery-storage language and a proposed 250-foot/100-foot setback standard.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509992,"Planning Board adopts one-monthly meeting schedule, moves start time to 6 p.m.",1616,416000,2032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9&start=416&end=2032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9/thumbnail_416000.jpg","/articles/6509992/Maine/Planning-Board-adopts-one-monthly-meeting-schedule-moves-start-time-to-6-pm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509992-8899251b7b66da5b613d301ef9e54f9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774926898&Signature=ApVFyXFUAh58KaSA6FjRMwvXvjeMycVnjf5YrBUSQmNXZ0lHLejnR8SGiwpVaq02Y9884Jr39LpjlrQjNLP1tFYOTFf3dtWKpu5k8bQ5MmiqWYqX1wgZVdfwY1Fwl~lqgHiKoE~34BHvnGb-sXwfEp8rJ87pK1jYrn-aHXuVdVjWXSepx36U7laadT4wqJWLBhyaLKBIm~J8MTfbqyG0Aio1hdfR-7r52RKdgOBoqzkFHOSu28hv7OMDput3-e~vYTM7I14e57pbdZvj1-S4VhWYClLXC7ZwxCB0q6gkqwTfUELrtyI0llXkIq1U20vXD8Y4tM3~GhtiPXXJr2E6Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board voted unanimously to change its regular schedule to a single monthly meeting at 6 p.m., with a second meeting to be held only in unusual or overflow circumstances. The motion also formalizes a planning timeline that places application submissions by the close of business on the Thursday nine days before the first-meeting Tuesday to give staff additional time for review and public notification.

The decision follows a lengthy discussion among board members and staff about balancing taxpayer costs, staff overtime, attendance by members who work out of town, and predictability for applicants. Board members said the change is meant to reduce unnecessary overtime pay for town employees and to make the board’s workload more predictable. One board member said the earlier application deadline would help staff prepare materials and improve the notification process.

Board members also discussed accommodations for members who work off-site and concerns about enforcing attendance rules; the select board retains authority over formal enforcement of attendance-related provisions in the town ordinance. The board agreed that the first meeting of each month will be for applications and that, if the board cannot finish business, a second meeting may be scheduled as an overflow to complete items.

A motion to change the meeting time and frequency was moved and seconded and carried unanimously. The board agreed to publicize the change and to instruct applicants to plan to bring business to the first meeting of each month.","The Planning Board voted unanimously to meet once per month at 6 p.m. as a standard practice, making second monthly meetings an overflow option and moving application deadlines earlier to provide staff and public more lead time.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6509997,"Planning Board approves short-term zoning permit for single campsite on North Avenue",290,81000,371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9&start=81&end=371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416255-30d2faff67f79261a6710bf2323e49b9/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6509997/Maine/Planning-Board-approves-short-term-zoning-permit-for-single-campsite-on-North-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509997-f58a13d3b0aa48f4592d77ff6dce48cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774926898&Signature=hlLQHsw0-IwZd4p2ME6K21rcrtafQfNx8iArwp96l8uOB-7TnaUAkKc9qHjJLcZgcM0yLS0v8VAhnLmiUMdTRlZBFsyo9Ei88nPuw6GzLOy1PRjXYftqt82XFKfisfAjBpwWnr8moVIkdZrfHhojmBA5ejmG2OsYmK~xRidPImeQEgWVbBFTn8vNAh-agpr-CppiRDWoCdbzsh9kMvuAHeJYPCI2JVVNkJqxikha2I9iTTdCT4J87ip6qN4SNv7MkNlr6CSORCtlNgO2GjPT4W2stg6L17IKvHjTQpYeKwwaMlg6rBYdvz2DWm2ro10frJu0W1AMh3MR0s1cWgN0Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve a short-term zoning permit application for a single private campsite linked to property described as North Avenue (near the boat landing off Route 150). The application was submitted by Harvey Austin on behalf of Linwood Legasse and presented to the board by town staff.

Board members approved the application “as submitted,” with conditions recommended by town staff. The conditions require that subsurface wastewater disposal and potable water supply can be legally and practically installed on the lot, that all state and local requirements be met, and that a person certified in erosion and sediment control through a DEP-approved training program be present on site during all construction and ground disturbance within the resource-protection buffer. Erosion-control measures and other best management practices must be properly installed and maintained for the duration of the project.

The board discussed the site’s existing conditions: a cleared field that has been used previously for a campsite. Aaron (town staff) said the proposed campsite would be located outside the 100-foot resource-protection setback. Board members confirmed the location is just above the boat landing on West Runstead and that the site has an existing field where earlier activity had occurred.

The motion to approve included the recommended conditions of approval as read into the record. The board asked that the minutes spell out the name of Brian (town staff) and his recommended conditions. No public comment was recorded on the item at the time of the vote.

The vote carried; no individual vote tally was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

The applicant and town staff were reminded to complete the required permitting steps, including final approvals from the plumbing inspector for wastewater and any other required state or local permits.","The Planning Board approved a short-term zoning permit for a single private campsite on property linked to Linwood Legasse, with conditions requiring verified wastewater and potable water systems, erosion controls and a DEP-trained erosion-control person on site during ground disturbance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Comprehensive plan submitted to state; Planning Board discusses training opportunities

Planning Board reviews utility-scale solar ordinance edits; seeks developer feedback and considers battery rules

Planning Board adopts one-monthly meeting schedule, moves start time to 6 p.m.

Planning Board approves short-term zoning permit for single campsite on North Avenue