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Kennebunk Planning Board schedules July 13 public hearing on zoning map amendment for Kingsbury/Bragdon Lane parcel
Summary
The Planning Board found complete an application from Gilles Family Holding, LLC to change Map 6 Lot 1 from Business Park (BP) to Mixed Residential/Commercial Use (MRCU), voted 3-0 to schedule a public hearing on July 13, and said it preferred a Village Residential (VR) designation to better protect wetlands.
The Kennebunk Planning Board voted to find complete an application from Gilles Family Holding, LLC for a zoning map amendment affecting a parcel off Kingsbury Lane and Bragdon Lane and scheduled a public hearing for July 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. The motion to find the application complete carried on a voice vote of 3-0 (mover: Janice Vance; second: Richard Smith).
Town Planner Hannah Watson re-introduced the application, noting the proposal would change Map 6 Lot 1 from its current Business Park (BP) zoning to York Street Mixed Residential and Commercial Use (MRCU). Applicant representative Jack Gagnon told the Board the applicant had conducted wetland and vernal pool studies and said his team’s diagram showed space for six houses on the parcel despite substantial wetland areas.
Board members focused discussion on whether a Village Residential (VR) designation would better protect wetland resources. "We don't want an industrial park on this property and we don't want harm done to the wetlands," Vice Chair Richard Smith said, calling the wetland on the site a "Priority One" resource. Secretary Janice Vance said she was not in favor of the MRCU request because it "opened the door to more water pollution, sewage issues, and potential harm to the wetlands." Chair Chris MacClinchy summarized the Board’s view: while BP may not be ideal, "an 'MRCU' designation is not the best fit."
Jack Gagnon countered that remaining BP status could force development across a stream and that adjacent parcels in an MRCU zone had already been developed, arguing there was precedent for the requested designation. The Board did not endorse MRCU but indicated support for considering VR zoning, which requires larger setbacks and would provide more protection to wetland areas.
With the application found complete, the Board set a public hearing for July 13 at 7:00 p.m. for public comment and further review. The hearing will take place in person at Town Hall and is televised; the applicant and interested parties may submit materials before that meeting.
