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Kennebunk planning board grants conditional waiver on stormwater review, finds 25 Ross Road application complete
Summary
The Kennebunk Planning Board granted a conditional submission waiver for stormwater design and found the major subdivision application for 25 Ross Road complete, with final approval contingent on Town Engineer sign‑off of a stormwater management plan; sewer connection waiver remains under consideration.
The Kennebunk Planning Board granted a conditional waiver Feb. 9 for a full stormwater submission and deemed complete a five‑lot subdivision application for 25 Ross Road, but required a Town Engineer–approved stormwater management plan before final sign‑off.
Engineer Andy Morrell, representing applicant Michael Thomas, asked the board to waive the full pre‑ and post‑development stormwater analysis and a requirement to connect to the public sewer. Town Planner Hannah Watson told the board submission‑related waivers are decided at completeness, while standard waivers are decided after the public hearing. Town Engineer Chris Osterrieder said he could not find that the proposed stormwater approach would avoid downstream impacts without additional analysis; the applicant proposed roadside ditches and a level spreader to infiltrate runoff toward a lower lot.
Janice Vance moved to waive Article 7.2.A.3 (the submission requirement for a full stormwater analysis) on condition that a stormwater management plan be submitted and approved by the Town Engineer before final approval; Richard Smith seconded. The motion passed by show of hands, 5–0. The board then voted 5–0 to find the preliminary application complete and scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 23, 2026.
On the requested sewer waiver, board members acknowledged a policy preference that properties within roughly 1,500 feet tie into public sewer but said immediate mandatory hookup could make the project economically infeasible. Members indicated support for a deferred approach — requiring connection if and when sewer reaches the area or septics begin to fail — and asked the applicant to pursue outreach to owners of nearby private sewer infrastructure (Huntington Common) before the hearing.
What happens next: the applicant will submit a stormwater management plan for Town Engineer review and the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Feb. 23. Any final action on the sewer waiver will be taken after public notice and with findings prepared by counsel or staff.
