Planning Board finds 60 North Street conditional‑use application complete; schedules April 15 hearing

The Saco Planning Board on March 18 voted 5‑0 to find complete an application to convert residential space at 60 North Street into office use and scheduled a public hearing for April 15.

The applicant, identified in meeting materials as Mr. Trottier, said he owns the building and plans to occupy the rear unit as an office for his real estate company. Planning staff noted a prior approval from 2013 for a smaller office use but said that approval is not applicable because the prior office use was not established and retained. Emily of the Planning Department said the current proposal is larger than the earlier authorization and therefore requires conditional‑use review.

Board members discussed parking layout and turning movements. The applicant presented a sketch showing parking stalls and a central turnaround. Jeff asked for clearer dimensions and turning movement information so the city engineer can confirm functionality; staff noted the printed packet shows a parking sketch and that the code parking demand was listed as seven spaces, while staff later estimated the required number might be “around 5” depending on confirmed use allocations.

The board moved to find the application complete (motion by Joyce, second by Jeff; vote 5‑0) and then voted to schedule the public hearing for April 15 (motion by Jeff, second by Joyce; vote 5‑0). The board directed staff to confirm parking counts, request dimensioned turning templates from the applicant if needed, and verify that on‑site striping or signage will prevent vehicles from backing onto North Street.