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Developer says Allen Road mobile‑home subdivision stalled by driveway entrance and MDOT safety concerns
Summary
An applicant told the Planning Board his proposed expansion from four to 14 mobile-home lots is stalled because MDOT labeled the road hill dangerous and the permit is now an entrance permit; town staff said a road safety audit could be requested and staff will assist with engineering and deed issues.
An applicant for an Allen Road mobile‑home subdivision told the Pownal Planning Board on July 16 that his expansion from four to 14 lots is at a standstill because the driveway entrance permit is complicated by steep grade and state highway safety concerns.
"I can’t move forward with the subdivision plan until I have the exact entrance of the driveway plan," Shane Brady said, describing an 11 percent grade at the proposed entrance and two meetings with the Maine Department of Transportation. Brady said MDOT needs an engineer from Augusta to evaluate site distance, and he is exploring moving the entrance up the hill to lessen slope and avoid building up ground near Chandler Brook.
CEO Bill Schmidt told the board that because the project expanded beyond a few lots the application shifted from a driveway permit to an entrance permit, and that MDOT flagged the hill as "one of the most dangerous hills that Public Works maintains during the winter months." Schmidt said the town can request a road safety audit and recommended the Selectboard or the applicant ask for one; he added that ditching plans, runoff controls and deed/ownership clarifications also must be resolved before the subdivision package is complete.
Board members and the applicant discussed timing and options; Marcia Bowen said an early safety audit could be helpful to guide design and phase planning. Shane Brady said he is working with the CEO and MDOT and has engaged engineers; he also expressed concern that reducing slope below 10 percent could require building embankments near a brook, raising runoff concerns.
The board did not take formal action at the meeting but indicated it supported pursuing a road safety audit and directed staff and the applicant to continue coordinating with MDOT and engineering consultants.
