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Planning Board grants final approval for 14‑lot Jenkins Road subdivision, 5‑1 on conditions
Summary
The Saco Planning Board granted final subdivision approval for a 14‑lot project at 196 Jenkins Road after the applicant updated easement, landscaping and road‑maintenance details; the board adopted findings 6‑0 and approved final subdivision and conditions by 5‑1.
The Saco Planning Board on Tuesday approved final subdivision plans for 196 Jenkins Road, a proposed 14‑lot residential subdivision in the West Residential zoning district.
The applicant, James Lowry of BH2M, told the board the team revised the plan after peer and staff review to split a drainage easement — conveying part to the city and retaining part with the homeowners association — added evergreen plantings along Lot 10 to provide a buffer to abutters and submitted a revised road‑maintenance agreement that lists sidewalks in the maintenance responsibilities. "We modified the final subdivision plan to differentiate a portion of a drainage easement to be conveyed to the city and a portion to be retained by the homeowners association," Lowry said.
Board members asked questions about connectivity, wetland protection and frontage improvements. Jeff Brochu said he appreciated the applicants’ responsiveness but expressed concern that the project did not provide the sidewalk frontage the board typically seeks. "I was disappointed we weren't able to get the frontage, the sidewalk, because it's, you know, as the board felt, it's a sidewalk to nowhere, but it's part of our standard," Brochu said, citing consistency concerns across subdivisions.
The board voted to adopt the findings of fact as presented (motion passed 6‑0). It later adopted the conditions of approval with a 5‑1 vote and granted final subdivision approval to the property (motion to grant final approval moved by Jim Moyer and seconded by Joyce Laurie Clark; motion passed 5‑1). The record shows one dissenting vote on the conditions and final approval citing the unmet sidewalk/frontage standard.
The final approvals include the updated road‑maintenance agreement and conditions tying required preconstruction items — including any required financial guarantees and final engineer-reviewed plans — to issuance of permits. Applicant Lowry confirmed the team will remain in contact with city staff to finalize the remaining administrative items.
The board did not receive public comment on the item during tonight's hearing. The applicant may now complete final administrative steps with staff before a preconstruction meeting and issuance of permits.
