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CEO’s list of ordinance questions prompts review of wells, parking and campsite rules
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed a list of ordinance clarifications from the CEO May 4 covering definitions for non-residential structures, parking-permit scope, cell-tower permitting, well-permit standards and campsite criteria; the CEO will attend the next meeting for follow-up.
Commissioners reviewed a set of detailed ordinance and land-use questions the CEO, Justin VanDongan, submitted for clarification.
The items included duplicate numbering in the structures table, questions about whether the label "Non-residential, non-commercial structures" includes industrial uses and whether accessory commercial structures are covered; whether the CEO could issue permits for commercial parking facilities or essential services such as cell towers without Planning Board review; and what standards the CEO should apply when reviewing well permit applications.
On wells, commission member Chuck Gadzik raised a concern about drilling practices, saying in his view that recent wells on Vinalhaven have been "fracked" and that there is no clear way to know how that may affect neighboring wells. The commission recorded the concern but did not resolve technical standards during the meeting.
Additional items flagged for revision included a dimensional table that still shows commercial use is not allowed in RM1, the 25% maximum lot coverage figure for RC/VOD, and the Village Overlay District minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet, which members said leaves many existing properties nonconforming. Members also noted that campsites are limited (one campsite per 30,000 sq ft) and asked whether private campsites could be allowed downtown depending on whether a request is commercial or private. Manufacturing, warehousing and research facilities were noted as omitted from the land-use tables.
Elin Elisofon asked Clare Oxford and Dan Debrod to review the CEO questions for potential conflicts or issues the commission might have missed; Justin VanDongan will join the commission on June 3 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss these items in detail.
No ordinance changes were adopted at the May 4 meeting; staff and regional representatives will return recommendations at the next meeting.
