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Board grants Cooper Paving sign waiver and site-plan approval with DOT, bonding, and permit conditions
Summary
The Planning Board approved a waiver and site plan allowing Cooper Paving to install a larger, double-sided, roofed sign (about 50 sq ft, ~20 ft tall) subject to moving the sign outside the right-of-way, DOT approval prior to permit issuance, bonding/inspection determination, and other conditions.
The Auburn Planning Board voted Jan. 14 to grant Cooper Paving LLC a waiver from several sign and site regulations and to approve the proposed sign subject to conditions including relocation off the state right-of-way and Department of Transportation approval.
Planning staff described the proposal as a new double-sided, roofed sign about 50 square feet and roughly 20 feet tall, with LED lights that would be night-sky compliant. Staff said the sign exceeds the size standards in the district and therefore required a waiver. The applicant, Mike Otto, told the board the company had sought a license to keep the sign where it was in the right of way; MaineDOT denied that license, so the application shows a proposed relocation about 3 feet back onto private property.
A resident, Deborah Desjardins of 2768 Turner Road, spoke in support of Cooper Paving, saying the business has been a conscientious neighbor and maintains its property and equipment.
The board first voted to grant the specific waiver language referenced in the staff report (waivers cited from Chapter 60, Section 60-6372A and related sections). The board then approved the site plan subject to staff conditions: no development activity until bonding or inspection fees are determined by the Auburn Engineering Department; prior to issuance of a signed permit the applicant must obtain MaineDOT approval for any work in the right of way; any additional signage added to the signpost must return to the planning board for review; and a blasting permit from the City of Auburn Planning, Permitting and Code Department is required in advance of any blasting. The motions carried.
Planning staff noted that the applicant has amended the plan to shift the sign location outside the right of way and will comply with the DOT relocation requirement prior to permit issuance.
