Planning board reviews preliminary Lebanon Street subdivision; applicant considers sprinklers instead of fire pond

The Sanford Planning Board heard preliminary plans from Housing Maine LLC for a proposed subdivision on a roughly 100‑acre parcel with frontage on Lebanon Street and Philbrick Road. The application shows 14 lots served by a new private paved road, on‑site wells and septic systems, and a wet pond designed for stormwater control and fire suppression.

Kaylee Gallison, a civil engineer with Sebago Technics representing Housing Maine LLC, said the team is reworking aspects of the plan ahead of a final submission. “We are looking at moving to a sprinkler system instead now,” she said, explaining that switching from a wet fire pond to building sprinkler‑equipped homes would reduce impacts to natural resources and project costs for prospective buyers.

During the public hearing resident Libby Davis asked specifically about a narrow piece of the property adjacent to Philbrick Road and whether wetlands and a stream there would be developed. The applicant said wetlands have been delineated in the application and that any future changes in that area would require another site plan amendment.

Board members asked whether the development would be phased, whether the fire department had reviewed road turning templates, and whether the project would keep required open space. The applicant said the road turning movements were run and appear to fit and that phasing is possible; she said the developer is evaluating options and may reduce lots if necessary to keep road length reasonable.

No final vote was taken. Staff and the board outlined outstanding technical materials to be submitted with the final application, including detailed turning movements for emergency vehicles, finalized clustering/open‑space calculations, and confirmation of fire protection approach. The applicant will return with a final submission addressing those comments.