Scotland P&Z continues special-permit hearing for 5 Kemp Road after applicant says A2 survey unaffordable

The Town of Scotland Planning & Zoning Commission on Aug. 25 continued the public hearing on a special-permit application for 5 Kemp Road after the owner and applicant, J. Owen, said he could not currently pay for an A2 boundary survey that the commission requested.

Commissioner J. Jakubowski opened the hearing at 7:18 p.m. and recalled the July 28 discussion, noting statutory deadlines: the hearing must close within 35 days (Sept. 1) unless the applicant agrees to continue; if closed, the commission must render a decision within 65 days of closing (Oct. 29). I. Kisluk, who provided the recap, also read draft motions for the commission’s consideration.

Owen told commissioners worship services are now held “in the house in a conjoined room that fits 30 people” and that the property’s shed “may also [be] use[d] at times for smaller groups.” He said the application does not request expansion now; the narrative mentions a small monastic community only “in the distant future (more than 5 years).” On parking, Owen said a private wedding previously brought about 50 vehicles and that overflow parking on grass “worked very well.” He said handicapped parking would be reserved near the home entrance.

When asked about an A2 survey, Owen said, “That would be ideal but at this moment we don’t have the funds to do that. It’s over $10k to get it done.” He later said he believed a quote he had seen was “closer to $13k” and agreed to search for and provide any estimate he could find. Commissioners asked for a map delineating parking, wetlands, and neighboring boundaries and asked Owen to submit a written list of mitigations he is willing to accept.

Neighbors raised concerns by phone and in person. A caller listed in the minutes as “Stacy and Paul Rozinsky” asked how far clearing would extend; Owen responded, “We have no intention to clear the land; we have 10 acres cleared and 20 forested.” C. Lasch asked when Owen would return to run the operation; Owen said he is in a 25-year program with 15 years remaining and that a member of the clergy currently runs the site, with Melinda Wright living on the property as a volunteer property manager.

Commissioner R. Dzieken said he was uncomfortable proceeding without an A2 survey; Chair B. Syme stated proposed hours would be 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Commissioners and alternates discussed whether a fence should be required; the exchange was overlapping and at times hard to follow in the minutes, with one commissioner saying neighbors could erect fences if they wished and some commissioners saying the commission should consider fencing as a mitigation.

Jakubowski moved to continue the public hearing to Sept. 22, 2025; S. Gadbois seconded and the motion carried. Owen said he would provide the requested materials, including any A2-survey quotes he could locate. I. Kisluk will forward application materials to commissioners and place the required newspaper notice for the continued hearing.

The meeting also handled routine business: commissioners approved the July 28 minutes, set a regulation-revision meeting for Sept. 10, 2025 (J. Jakubowski to send a soft copy of regulations to members), and heard an enforcement report from I. Kisluk that the dog kennel application will be digitized and scheduled for a public hearing on Sept. 22; notices for properties on Kemp Road and Gager Hill Road will go out and zoning citations will follow within 30 days as appropriate. The commission entered executive session at 8:02 p.m., returned at 8:30 p.m., and adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

Next steps: the public hearing on 5 Kemp Road is continued to Sept. 22, 2025; the commission requested an A2 survey quote (applicant-stated approximate cost $10,000–$13,000), a detailed map showing parking, wetlands and property lines, and a written list of mitigations from the applicant.