Presque Isle Planning Board denies rezoning for 227 Parsons Road, approves nearby solar site with tree‑buffer conditions

Presque Isle Planning Board members on May 15 voted 4–3 to deny a request by property owner Alan Trombley to rezone part of 227 Parsons Road from Business Zone (BZ) to Agricultural Farming/Forestry Zone (AFFZ), citing potential impacts on nearby housing and two daycares. In the same meeting the board approved a site plan for a proposed solar facility at 228 Chapman Road, requiring multiple rows of tree buffering and a five‑year maintenance commitment.

The rezoning motion, made by Richard Engels and seconded by Tim Vernon, listed three reasons for denial: (1) effect on potential housing expansion; (2) effect on the nearby daycares; and (3) spot zoning. Engels raised safety and traffic concerns related to children at two daycares and four apartments in the area. Vice‑Chairman Ward Gerow and member Dave Perry joined Engels and Vernon to carry the motion; Andy Flewelling, Rachel Murchison and Sean Nordenhold opposed it.

Ralph Addonizio, who spoke as a representative for Novel, the company proposing to lease the Trombley property for a solar farm, urged the board to allow the rezoning. "The only additional traffic to the site would be during the construction phase of the solar farm and after that only maybe once a month for maintenance purposes," Addonizio said, and he added Novel planned to plant a buffer of trees starting at six feet in height. The board nevertheless denied the rezoning by a 4–3 vote.

Separately, the board reviewed a site plan for 228 Chapman Road, where Addonizio said Novel would install tracking panels. Richard Engels told the board he had seen trees removed from that site and urged the board to seek a legal opinion about possible violations of the City of Presque Isle Land Use and Development Code, Article 2, Section X (Screening & Buffering Standards). A motion by Engels and seconded by Vernon to table the site plan pending legal review failed 2–5.

On a subsequent motion by Ward Gerow, seconded by Dave Perry, the board approved the site plan for 228 Chapman Road with four conditions: buffering on the north and west sides toward Chapman Road; at least three rows of trees around panels; trees at least 6 feet tall at planting; and a requirement that the trees be maintained for at least five years. The approval passed 6–1, with Tim Vernon voting against.

Planning staff reminded the board that recent changes to the Land Use & Development Code limit where solar farms are allowed — to Aircraft Hazard Zone (AHZ), Agricultural Farming & Forestry Zone (AFFZ) and Industrial Zone (IZ) — and that a proposed city moratorium on solar farms had been tabled by the City Council. Tim St. Peter, deputy director, also told members that the Chapman Road parcel had been used as a junkyard and is considered a brownfield, and that a previously approved subdivision at 232 Parsons Road represents potential housing expansion nearby.

The board also discussed possible revisions to the screening and buffering standards for solar facilities. Suggestions included increasing the buffer from 20 to 40 feet, requiring three or four rows of 6‑foot trees, and setting minimum distances from residential areas and paved roads. Member Richard Engels suggested minimum separations of 400 yards from residential development and 200 yards from paved streets; staff asked members to bring further suggestions to the next meeting.

During public comment Vincent Quinn, who said he works for DFAS in Limestone, advised that existing solar projects remained visible with only a 20‑foot buffer and urged consideration of larger buffers. Quinn also raised interest in food‑sovereignty efforts downtown; staff noted the city can partner with Grow Smart Maine to seek grants up to $75,000 twice yearly.

The meeting ended after welcoming new alternate Andy Flewelling; the board adjourned at 7:48 PM. The Planning Board directed staff and members to continue reviewing buffering standards and to return suggestions at the next meeting.