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Scarborough advances zoning and traffic changes, adds grandfathering exemption and proposes Bay View no-parking restriction
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the Scarborough Town Council adopted an amendment to zoning parking rules to grandfather existing single- and two-family dwellings, approved a site-plan review amendment, and moved forward a traffic ordinance change that would add a year-round no-parking restriction on a section of Bay View Avenue to preserve emergency access.
Scarborough — The Scarborough Town Council on Jan. 6 approved a zoning amendment restoring grandfathering for existing single- and two-family dwellings, passed a site-plan review update, and advanced a traffic ordinance revision that would create a year-round no-parking zone on part of Bay View Avenue to ensure emergency access.
On second reading the council approved Order 09-133, amending Chapter 405 to add language exempting single-family and two-family dwellings in existence as of Jan. 6, 2010 from a newly proposed parking requirement. A council member identified the omission and planning staff (Jay) confirmed that the amendment restored the town’s prior grandfathering practice for nonconforming dwellings.
The council also approved Order 09-134, amending Chapter 405B (site-plan review) to update parking, design standards and storm-water management requirements; the hearing drew no public speakers and the order passed by voice vote.
Separately, on a first reading the council considered Order 10-03, proposed changes to Chapter 601 (traffic ordinance, section 29) that would: align seasonal parking restrictions for Higgins Beach with other beach areas, add emergency-stopping signage on Pillsbury Drive, and create a year-round no-parking restriction along Bay View Avenue from Hotton Street to Pearl Street to preserve a narrow roadway segment for emergency vehicles. Police Chief Molton told the council that recent seawall and sidewalk work narrowed the roadway and that parked vehicles could block emergency apparatus; he said the town can provide photographs and measurements to show the issue.
Residents and several councilors raised concerns about losing public parking in the Higgins Beach area; resident Glennice Shabbo told the council there is still ample offseason parking despite the proposed Bay View restriction. Councilor Babbine and others proposed changing a parking-ban subsection to refer to "parking bans during emergencies" rather than limiting the language to snow/inclement weather; councilors agreed to consider broader language and noted the change would be revisited at second reading and public hearing. The first reading was approved and the council scheduled a public hearing for the amendment on Jan. 20.
What happens next: Order 10-03 will return for a second reading and public hearing on Jan. 20; planning and public-works staff said they will supply graphical depictions and photographs of the Bay View and Pillsbury Drive areas for the public hearing so residents can visualize proposed restrictions.
