Planning board approves Central Maine Power storage addition on Searsport Avenue

The Bellhopes Planning Board unanimously approved a site-plan amendment and use permit on March 12 allowing Central Maine Power (CMP) to enclose an existing open storage area at 57 Searsport Avenue.

James Morin, representing La Bella Associates, told the board the project would create a single-story, 1,087-square-foot addition on a previously developed portion of a roughly 10.47-acre parcel. "The addition will enclose the existing three-sided storage area and provide additional enclosed storage," Morin said, adding the structure will match the building's existing facade and roofline and use downward-directed exterior lighting no greater than 3,000K.

Staff presented findings tied to chapter 90 (site plan), chapter 102 (zoning) and chapter 98 (technical standards), saying the planned work will occur within the already developed ~3.03-acre area and is not expected to increase impervious surface or change stormwater runoff. "This property was actually reviewed exactly 17 years ago to the date, so on 03/12/2008," staff member Alexandra noted while summarizing prior conditions that remain in effect unless expressly amended.

Board members asked technical questions about current storage conditions and geotechnical recommendations in the applicant's report. The board agreed to add a condition requiring the construction to conform to the geotechnical report and to include a geotextile/erosion-control requirement in the erosion-control condition language before finalizing approval.

A motion to approve the findings of fact as amended carried; the board then approved the conditions of approval with the added erosion-control language and subsequently approved the site-plan amendment and use permit. The chair announced the approvals were unanimous.

Because the addition is sited on previously paved, developed area outside the shoreland and flood-hazard portions of the lot, staff told the board the project should not affect buffering, parking layout or on-site access. The applicant will move forward with permitting consistent with the approved findings and the newly added geotechnical and erosion-control conditions.

Next steps: the applicant must satisfy the conditions of approval and obtain any required building permits and inspections before construction begins. The planning office will file the approval and monitor compliance with the stated conditions.