Presque Isle Planning Board tables Industrial Park setback change after debate over density and variance rules

The Presque Isle Planning Board on June 5 discussed proposed changes to its Land Use and Development Code that would reduce interior density requirements in the Business Zone and alter front setback requirements in the Industrial Park, then tabled further action on the setback.

Deputy Director Tim St. Peter told the board that, under a proposed footnote to the Standards Table for Zones, "if [a] building is not being expanded" the interior density requirement in the Business Zone would be lowered from 4,000 square feet per dwelling to 1,000 square feet per dwelling. The board heard the proposal as part of a broader packet of code language under review, including material addressing solar energy development.

Board members then discussed the Industrial Park (IZ) front setback. St. Peter said the street right-of-way in the Industrial Park is 90 feet (rather than the more common 66 feet), and staff suggested reducing the current 50-foot front setback to 30 feet. "If it was reduced to the suggested 30' that yes the setback would be 75' from the center of the street," Tim Vernon noted after staff explained the measurement method.

Several members raised concerns. Richard Engels proposed a 20-foot front setback with 30-foot side and rear setbacks as an alternative. Jason Perry, the city’s code enforcement officer, cautioned about operational impacts: "If there was a loading dock on the front of the building that any trailer truck backing into the dock would cause part of the cab of the truck to be on the street," he said, arguing against reducing the front setback below 30 feet. Jayne Farrin said she preferred leaving the front setback at 30 feet.

Members also queried whether the Zoning Board of Appeals could allow further reductions by variance. St. Peter said the present guidelines limit setback reduction to 10 percent; Penny Anderson cautioned that changing that percentage would apply across all zones, not only the Industrial Zone.

Chairman Bruce Roope moved to change the IZ front setback to 30 feet; the motion was seconded by Ward Gerow. Richard Engels then moved, seconded by Dave Perry, to table the discussion to allow staff to draft revised variance language. The board voted 6–0–1 on the tabling motion, with Ward Gerow recorded as abstaining.

The tabling means no immediate change to the code has been adopted and the board asked staff to prepare revised language addressing variance limits and zone-specific application before the next meeting.