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Board affirms campground buffers, sets rules for tree removal and extends workshop on encroachments
Summary
The board found buffer strip plantings and existing trees at the View West campground acceptable, clarified that hazardous-tree removal must be approved by the code office (with replanting required), and approved a 60-day extension/workshop so applicants can address several site-limit and lot-coverage issues.
The Wells Planning Board voted that existing buffers around the View West campground — including the tree line along College Drive — are acceptable as shown on the current plans, and recommended notes requiring replacement planting where hazardous or dying trees are removed. The board clarified that any hazardous-tree removals within the buffer require approval from the code office and, where feasible, an arborist statement; removal may be done after the fact in emergency situations but should be documented.
Applicants from CV West and Atar Engineering said wetland mitigation for the D-area was completed late last year and that remaining map markups are being addressed. Staff asked for a simple tree-line notation showing species types for buffer areas rather than a full DBH survey, and asked for signage to mark no-cut buffer areas so residents can identify limits in the field.
The board also discussed longstanding encroachments at individual sites — gardens, small removable furniture and occasional sheds — and instructed staff and the applicant to clarify lease and rules language to manage lot coverage over time (the town’s coverage standard cited in the meeting is 20%). The board approved a motion to extend a workshop for 60 days to let applicants provide final plan updates and proposed lease/management notes.
Board members emphasized they will continue to enforce permanent hardscape limits (sheds and impervious structures) while showing flexibility for vegetated or removable features, and directed staff to add plan notes clarifying how vegetated/paved grids are counted against green-space and lot-coverage limits.
