Wells planning board reviews Founders Park community center plans, asks for technical fixes and delays decision 60 days

The Town of Wells Planning Board on Aug. 4 reviewed site plans for a proposed Founders Park community building, a 24,000-square-foot municipal facility that the applicant said would double as an ice rink in winter and provide community space the rest of the year. Dan McKenzie, of YFP/Chattel Engineering, represented the applicant and described connections to Sanford Road and to the adjacent school property.

The board and staff said the plans largely preserved the park character but flagged outstanding technical items. Planner Mike (identified in the transcript as Mike) said the board still needed clarification on second-floor square footage and use, a stormwater management plan revision, written permission from the Wells of Dunkirk Combined School District for a stormwater-easement area, and additional lighting details if exterior fixtures are proposed. McKenzie said the second floor would house mechanical equipment accessed via a fenced deck and that interior lighting would be used with limited exterior lighting only where code requires it.

Members discussed options to prevent vehicle access along the main pedestrian approach. The board considered bollards and flexible stanchions, then focused on removable or weighted rubber strips that would discourage casual driving yet allow emergency vehicle access. Board members requested a detail for the preferred solution for the plan set.

The planning board voted unanimously on several procedural and plan determinations: to accept a 15-foot road buffer with retention of three trees as shown on the plan; to find the existing buffer near an existing residential abutter satisfactory; and to continue the workshop for 60 days so the applicant can address remaining checklist items, including the stormwater revisions and the school easement language. The board noted it had received letters from the sanitary and water districts approving connections to the project.

The board asked that any exterior utility equipment lighting required by code be noted on the plan for the building-permit stage and requested a photometric plan only if exterior lighting is later proposed. McKenzie said he would provide a photometrics plan at final submission if needed and would coordinate with the town attorney on draft easement language. He also said he would provide the additional details requested about the pedestrian apron and emergency access device so the town could review a specific detail.

Next steps: the board continued the matter for 60 days and asked the applicant to supply the amended stormwater materials, the easement legal language for review by the town attorney, and a plan note stating second-floor use and any storage area clearly. The applicant also was to clarify rooftop or deck mechanical equipment locations and any exterior lighting fixtures.

Votes at the meeting were unanimous on the motions above.