Committee backs drafting changes to land development code to ease permit renewals, tighten enforcement

The Bangor City Business & Economic Development Committee considered a package of proposed Land Development Code changes on procedural extensions, enforcement, and certificates of occupancy.

The planning staff presentation, given by Planning Director Ani Colette, said land development permits currently expire after two years and that applicants who miss that expiration must return to the Planning Board even when plans and the code have not changed. Colette told the committee the proposal would allow applicants who apply within 90 days of an expiration to be handled as a minor site-plan revision through staff review, provided the plan and code are unchanged. "We do propose keeping the limit of two extensions," Colette said, "so we don't have infinitely open land development permits."

Why it matters: supporters said the 90-day window would…