Planning board told recent clearing at 671 Main Street forces stormwater-plan changes

Applicant representatives updated the Damariscotta Planning Board that additional on-site clearing altered the stormwater assumptions for the 671 Main Street project and that the team will revise plans to use an underdrained soil-filter system instead of the approach originally submitted. The presenter said the parcel is "32 acres in size," and that the exact percentage of cleared land was "not specified."

Board members agreed the change — and reports from the soil-and-water reviewer — require follow-up. One member read an email from a conservation reviewer raising concerns about "wetland disturbances, lack of vernal pool surveys, stream crossings," and said the property appeared "cut and grubbed" in places, which the member called "pretty alarming." The board said it had referred the matter to the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District and will rely on that district's technical review before making a final decision on the site plan.

The applicant told the board it had met on-site with conservation staff and planned to update grading and stormwater details, including a splitter and soil-filter details, to address the disturbed areas. The board emphasized it will evaluate only the portion of the site in the project's scope (primarily the proposed parking-lot area) and that any suspected violations of forestry or shoreland rules would be referred to the appropriate state or enforcement authority.