Planning Board tables MSAD 51 site-plan amendment amid public concern over drainage and as-built changes

The Cumberland Planning Board voted to table consideration of an amendment to an approved site plan for Maine School Administrative District 51 after no representative from MSAD 51 attended the meeting.

The amendment covers changes to drainage, landscaping and the location of a scoreboard for the district campus on Farwell/Tuttle Road. Bridgette, the town planner, told the board she did not see a district representative present and suggested the board table the item until the applicant attends; S4 moved to table and the motion was seconded and approved.

Several members of the public and board members said the school has already implemented drainage changes and other site alterations without appearing before the board. Lane Kaplan and other neighbors asked whether the implemented changes would negatively affect existing drainage and how enforcement would work. Staff said minor, de minimis changes can be approved by staff through the preconstruction process, but once implemented more substantial changes are brought before the planning board. Bridgette said the town will peer-review the submitted materials and that residents should bring specific concerns to the code enforcement office.

Board members discussed enforcement tools including temporary occupancy permits; staff confirmed the maintenance building has a temporary occupancy permit pending planning-board approval. The board will place the MSAD 51 amendment back on a future agenda when the district appears to present and answer questions.