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Planning board accepts preliminary subdivision plan for Penobscot Community Health campus lots
Summary
Developers Collaborative Predevelopment LLC and Penobscot Community Health sought to carve two roughly 5-acre lots from the PCHC campus on Belmont Avenue; the board accepted the preliminary subdivision plan, granted a waiver of the high-intensity soil survey for now, and directed follow-up clarifications on access, utilities and wetland delineation.
The Belfast Planning Board voted June 18 to accept a preliminary subdivision plan that would create two roughly 5-acre lots from land on the Penobscot Community Health campus on Belmont Avenue (Route 3). The board also granted a waiver from the ordinance requirement for a high-intensity soil survey for the current subdivision application.
Developers Collaborative Predevelopment LLC presented the proposal through engineer Steve Bushey, who said the two new lots would each have substantial frontage on Belmont Avenue and that utilities are accessible nearby. Bushey described an option agreement with Penobscot Community Health and said the lots would be created before any future site-plan applications for development. "We're looking to create 2 lots, both roughly around 5 acres there on Belmont Ave," he said.
Key concerns centered on access and wetlands. Board members and staff discussed whether the two lots should pursue shared curb cuts, how MDOT would treat driveway openings on the Route 3 mobility corridor, and whether existing condominium-documents and wetland mitigation responsibilities need to be updated. Staff summarized that MDOT’s approval of curb cuts depends on trip generation and sight-distance standards and that DEP site-law transfer orders would be required if the site-law permit must be reassigned.
The board made a specific motion to waive the full high-intensity soil survey requirement for this subdivision application, with the understanding that future owners or future site-plan reviews could still trigger more detailed surveys. The motion passed; staff noted that the waiver applies to the current subdivision filing and does not remove due-diligence obligations for future development.
The board accepted the preliminary plan and asked staff and the applicant to include clarifying notes for the final submission: potential shared-access options or easements, confirmation of water and wastewater capacity, updated wetland delineations and required changes to condominium documents so ownership and responsibilities are clear.
Next steps: The applicant will revise plans and submit final materials; staff will work with the applicant on notes and clarifications and prepare the file for the board’s final review. The board scheduled site visits and set upcoming meeting dates for follow-up as needed.
