Wells Highlands amendment: board grants waivers and deems application complete

The Wells Planning Board voted to grant a set of waivers and to deem the Wells Highlands subdivision amendment application complete on July 22.

Ray Morency, the applicant, told the board he had obtained DEP sign-off to reduce the shoreline/green-belt setback to 75 feet after discovering the lot carried a green-belt designation he had not expected. ‘‘This is state approved for the 75 foot setback,’’ Morency said, and staff confirmed DEP correspondence and supporting materials had been submitted.

Staff recommended granting waivers for contours mapping, wetlands delineation, trees greater than 24-inch diameter, and stormwater management because the submission met the criteria in the staff memo. The board moved to grant the listed waivers; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The board also approved allowing the driveway to access Wells Highlands (rather than a private right-of-way), found existing survey monumentation acceptable, and voted to allow, as an option, an overhead electrical connection to serve the lot (with the option to run underground if the applicant prefers). Staff presented a 20-page findings-of-fact packet and the board voted to approve and sign the findings.

What happens next: Staff will record the signed findings and the applicant must provide any recorded easements or documentation required to address ownership and utility connections before final recording and plan sign-off.