Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Subdivision Traffic topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer seeks amendment to Sandville Estates traffic condition; board to consult attorney and hold July 17 hearings
Summary
Developer counsel asked the board to amend a traffic restriction on Sandville (MSP24003), warning that the requirement could trigger an MDOT study and a left‑turn lane costing roughly $250,000; the board scheduled an attorney consultation and a public hearing for July 17 and accepted a board member’s recusal.
The South Berwick Planning Board agreed to take up an amendment request to a traffic‑related condition on Sandville Estates (MSP24003), after the developer’s counsel said the board’s prior restriction could force significant additional work and expense.
Sandra, counsel for the applicant, told the board that the March approval included a condition (condition 6) directing traffic away from Meadowpond Road and toward Industry Drive; she said that routing could require the Maine Department of Transportation to demand a full traffic study and the construction of a left‑turn lane on Industry Drive, which she estimated could cost about $250,000, with an additional traffic analysis fee of roughly $10,000. Counsel proposed alternatives such as targeted signage (no‑through trucks) at the Industry Drive entrance to reduce construction‑traffic impacts.
Sandra said the applicant supplied reports from the project traffic engineer (Diane) and the project engineer (Ken Wood). The board noted Diane’s report concluded there would be no level‑of‑service disruption or safety concerns if traffic used Meadowpond; the board agreed it needed legal guidance because an appeal of the original decision remains pending.
Tony Palazzetti identified a conflict and recused himself from the discussion; the board formally approved his recusal and designated alternate Zach Noble to vote on the application for the evening. The board voted to schedule an executive session with the town attorney on July 17 at 5:30 p.m. to review legal rights and responsibilities and to hold a public hearing on the Sandville Estates amendment immediately after other hearings that evening, targeted for 6:30 p.m.
Chair Greg Zinszer asked members and the public to submit questions and materials to staff (Jen) before the hearing so the board and attorney could review them. The board did not take a final position on the amendment during the meeting and said it would consider the applicant’s technical materials, attorney guidance and any public comment at the July 17 hearing.
