The Saco Planning Board on Aug. 19 granted site‑plan approval to Central Maine Power (CMP) / Avangrid for an upgrade and expansion of the Factory Island substation at 109 Main Street, adopting conditions the city and applicant negotiated after prior meetings. The board’s vote (5–0 with 1 abstention) approved the plans with a set of conditions addressing electrical work supervision, as‑built submittals and coordination on a sidewalk easement or license agreement linked to the city’s downtown gateway plan.

Why it matters: the project upgrades an existing utility facility at a highly visible downtown location. City staff said CMP/Avangrid and the city have agreed to continue working on a sidewalk easement or license agreement that would support a broader downtown gateway concept; staff also cautioned that a permanent easement would require PUC review and approval under state law, which could add time.

Technical and jurisdictional clarifications: city electrical inspection staff and planning staff worked with the applicant to adjust condition language to reflect how utility projects are regulated. The board inserted language allowing professional electrical engineers to supervise and certify underground electrical work and to certify as‑built drawings, and referenced exemptions for certain utility‑classified work under Title 35‑A. Staff added a condition that the applicant coordinate a sidewalk license agreement or easement along the property frontage “subject to PUC approval,” and to work through a memorandum of understanding defining responsibilities for the gateway improvements.

Board action and votes: the board adopted site‑plan findings (5–0, 1 abstention), adopted amended conditions (5–0, 1 abstention) and granted site‑plan approval (5–0, 1 abstention). The abstention was recorded on procedural votes by one member.

Quotes: “CMP and Avangrid want to continue working with the city on the downtown gateway concept plan,” City Planner Emily Cole Prescott said. Avangrid real‑estate representative Alan Sadich told the board the easement process would be coordinated with PUC filings once final design is ready: “It will have to be a collaboration with the city… and presented to the PUC for the approval of the easement or a license.”

Next steps: the applicant must finalize the sidewalk license/easement coordination with the city and include the sidewalk/easement language in the project closeout; PUC approval will be required if a permanent easement is pursued.