VASSALBORO PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
VASSALBORO TOWN OFFICE
7:00 P.M.

Board Members Present: Ginny Bracket, Chair, Doug Phillips, Sally Butler, John Phillips
Marianne Stevens, Alternate
Staff: Paul Mitnik, CEO, LPI, BI, AO
Public: Kat Jimenez, David D’Angelo; James D’Angelo, Lance & Jenn Cloutier. Brian & Katie Beach, Terry & Rick Dawson, Peter & Mary Beth Soule, Elaine Thessaure- Currier, Garvan Donegan, Joe & Adele Suga, Beth & Randall Glidden, Jodi Harvey, Russell Belair, Laughlin Titus

Call meeting to order.

1.) October 1, 2019 Minutes
The Minutes were approved by motion of Doug Phillips, seconded by Sally Butler 5-0.

2.) A.Applicant Name: James and Linda D’Angelo
Project Type: Minor Site Plan Review
Location 772 Cross Hill Rd
Map 5, Lot 69
A proposal to construct two additions to both sides of and existing agricultural building for the use of a brewery

• Green cards and return receipt mail were presented to verify that the required abutter notification by certified mail had been done.

Presentations by James and David D’Angelo and Kat Jimenez indicated the following

• An organic farm consisting of fields, a 3500 sf greenhouse and a 60 x 40 food processing building currently exists at this location that is run by David and Kat
• They grow vegetables primarily for restaurants. Became interested in the brewing business
• Propose to add a 54 x 16 additions as wings on both sides of the current food processing building. There will be a walk in cooler, wash area, and storage area in the right wing and tasting room and outdoor patio in the left wing.
• They plan to use a Presby enviroseptic system which is equivalent to advanced waste treatment for the septic system.

Public comment

• Concern about water usage and how it will affect abutter’s wells. Applicant indicated that they will be undertaking environmental studies for water usage. Laughlin Titus who does agricultural consulting as employment commented that 1” of rain results in 27,000 gallons of aquifer water per acre and the water usage of this project should be small compared to the available recharge. Maine averages 42” of rain/year.
• Concern about septic system disposal and how it will affect the aquifer shared by abutters. Applicant commented that they will be using an advanced treatment technology even though it is not required by the plumbing code. CEO/LPI Mitnik commented that septic plan in file has expired since more than two years have passed since it was done and it needs to be updated by a site evaluator.
• Request for business plan and hours of operation. This will be provided.
• Will music be done outside? Applicant indicated this will be done within the tasting room only.

Planning Board Review

The Board determined that the application was complete initially; but after re-considering; determined it was incomplete (motion Doug Phillips; seconded Marianne Stevens 5-0) due to the following:

• When the parking areas are considered collectively with the building additions; the project is a major development. A minor development application was submitted. This needs to be re-submiited with a major development application.
• A HHE-200 septic plan done by a licensed site evaluator needs to be submitted for the septic expansion. The one in the file has expired (more than two year have passed) and is not sufficient.

A review of the rest of the application performance standards was done for completeness. The following additional information should be provided:

• Include sign, dumpster, lights and culvert on site plan
• Include dimensions of parking area, turnouts, and building additions on plan
• Expand response to performance standard 4 b on solid waste disposal
• Performance standard 8 – Provide letter of credit from bank or similar submittal to prove financial capability
• Provide write up of business plan including hours of operation
• Provide environmental study of water usage

B. Applicant name Katie and Brian Beach
Project Type: Minor Site Review - Daycare
Location 1162 Riverside Dr
Map 1 Lot 79-1

• Green cards and return receipt mail were presented to verify that the required abutter notification by certified mail had been done.

Applicants indicated that they wish to run a home daycare due to limited amount of daycares in Vassalboro. The day care will be 4-5 children and run in their home. State DHHS and SFMO have already been contacted and have met their requirements and the Town approval is the last step necessary. The Board Chair Brackett requested some items to be added to the site plan which was done by Brian Beach.

The application was approved by motion of Doug Phillips, seconded by Marianne Stevens by a 5-0 vote.

Performance Standards Brian and Katie Beach Daycare

Standard 1
The provisions for vehicular loading and unloading and parking and for vehicular and pedestrian circulation on the site and onto adjacent public streets and ways will create no hazards to safety.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: MS
Seconded by: SB
Approved; 5-0
Standard 2
The location or height of proposed structures and the proposed uses thereof will not be detrimental to other public or private development in the neighborhood.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: JP
Seconded by: DP
Approved; 5-0
Standard 3
The provision for on-site landscaping provides adequate protection to neighboring properties from detrimental features of the development.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: MS
Seconded by: DP
Approved; 5-0
Standard 4
The proposed use will not impose undue burdens so as to exceed the capacity of the sewers, sanitary and storm drains, water, solid waste, fire protection, or other public facilities.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: DP
Seconded by: MS
Approved; 5-0
Standard 5
The Site Plan provides sufficient information to show that storm water will be adequately drained from the site with no adverse impact on other property or publicly-owned drainage systems.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: JP
Seconded by: MS
Approved; 5-0
Standard 6
Soil erosion and all other adverse impacts on the soil ground water and surface water shall be prevented. Ground water shall not be adversely impacted in quality or quantity.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: DP
Seconded by: JP
Approved; 5-0
Standard 7
The provisions for exterior lighting do not create hazards to motorists traveling on adjacent public streets and are adequate for the safety of occupants or users of the site and such provisions will not damage the value and diminish the usability of adjacent properties.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: SB
Seconded by: DP
Approved; 5-0
Standard 8
An applicant for Site Plan approval has provided evidence of his financial capability to complete the development as planned.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: MS
Seconded by: JP
Approved; 5-0
Standard 9
The proposed development will not create safety hazards and will provide adequate access for emergency vehicles to the site, and to all buildings on the site.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: DP
Seconded by: MS
Approved; 5-0
Standard 10
The proposed development will not adversely affect the use and enjoyment of abutting property as a result of noise, vibrations, fumes, odor, dust, glare, or other cause.

X Met; __ Not Met
Motion by: JP
Seconded by: SB
Approved; 5-0

Project Approval
Motion to: X Approve; __ Deny
Motion by: JP
Seconded By: SB
Approved; 5-0

3.) Garvan Donegan
Central Maine Growth Council

The CMGC is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that promotes economic development within communities. They currently have been involved in projects in Waterville, Winslow, Oakland, and Fairfield. They do a variety of tasks such as grant writing, advising and assistance in land use planning, downtown development and planning, site selection assistance, securing public and private financing. Their annual fee to Vassalboro would be $14,398.

4.) CEO Report
CEO Mitnik requested that the Board meet earlier than 7:00 PM, but one Board member could not meet an earlier time due to his employment.
Adjourn 9:45 PM

Respectfully submitted

Paul Mitnik, CEO, LPI, BI, AO