Daniel Landers asks planning board to sign letter so bank will clear South Thomaston lot split

Daniel Landers, appearing by Zoom on July 23, told the South Thomaston Planning Board that he and a business partner bought about 20–25 acres of the Pierce family farm in South Thomaston and plan to renovate the farmhouse and build a modest single-family home on the back acreage.

Landers said his lender and the bank’s title company required removing his partner’s name from a parcel description before closing a construction loan. Because two legal opinions differed on whether the life lease to a resident (Cynthia) constitutes a subdivision, the bank’s title company sought the planning board’s retrospective confirmation that the town would not object. "They're just trying to cover their liability... they're just trying to cover themselves liability wise that, you know, the town won't have any issue with with that split," Landers said.

Board members reviewed deeds and the town subdivision definition (a division of a parcel into three or more lots within five years). Members noted that the land records currently show two deeds and that the lease arrangement makes the situation legally gray. After discussion a board member moved to allow the paperwork to go forward and to provide the requested planning‑board sign-off; another member seconded and the motion carried. The board agreed that signatures should be notarized and arranged logistics for signatures, saying a plurality of planning-board signatures would satisfy the bank’s request. Landers said he would arrange for delivery and that, pending bank clearance, he intends to begin building early next year.