Bangor permitted 60-unit subdivision in error, courtroom finds
Bangor issued a allow to construct a 60-unit subdivision close to Essex Woods in error, a choose discovered final week.
Penobscot County Superior Courtroom Choose Patrick Larson vacated the allow issued in September 2022 and despatched it again to Bangor’s planning board in an order issued Oct. 10, practically a 12 months after neighbors Brian Ames, Sandra and Dwight McIntosh, Laurie Cote-Dunn, Jeffrey Grey and Melissa Bolduc filed an enchantment in October 2022.
The mission was set to deliver 30 duplexes to a 12-acre parcel close to Broadway, Essex Road and Interstate 95. The choose’s transfer doesn’t essentially kill the mission, however it’s going to result in delays after the developer introduced she’s going to give one house away to a navy veteran.
Neighbors objected to the mission throughout public remark at 4 planning board conferences in 2022, arguing that it will enhance visitors, dilute water stress and reduce entry to wildlife and out of doors area.
Building began earlier this 12 months. Some trenches and holes have been dug, together with shifting different dust. The mission was anticipated to wrap up in late 2024, Maine Woods Growth proprietor Emily Ellis stated. The neighbors named Crew Properties, LLC and town within the enchantment. Crew Properties is a part of Maine Woods Growth.
The planning board misclassified the dimensions of the mission and didn’t explicitly define its causes for approving the allow, Larson stated. The mission was initially labeled as a significant subdivision however was modified to a minor subdivision in the course of the utility course of.
Maine’s Freedom of Entry Act requires boards to make a document of why a call was made, which the planning board didn’t do when the scope of the mission modified, stated Larson, who added that the mission ought to have been thought of a significant one as a result of it requires new non-public streets.
When the mission returns to the board, separate votes ought to be taken on every normal, with info made specific, the order stated. Earlier than the board decides on issuing a allow, it should resolve if the subdivision is a deliberate improvement or hooked up residential use, the order stated.
Surrounding houses are in a low-density residential zone and the neighbors who filed the enchantment are steadfast of their perception the subdivision is “too intense” for the zone, the neighbors’ lawyer Charles Gilbert stated.
New buildings should conform to the present neighborhood and the mission won’t be able to try this, Gilbert stated. Metropolis employees didn’t reply to a request for remark.
The builders haven’t deliberate their subsequent steps, however it’s seemingly the mission will probably be delayed and never canceled because of the resolution, stated Ellis, who reacted to the order by saying that the neighbors have a bit of Bangor however are denying that privilege for different individuals.
“It’s simply frankly, disappointing as a result of the one actual difficulty is that folks that reside across the neighborhood don’t need it of their yard,” Ellis stated.
The appliance for permits for the subdivision might want to return by means of the Planning Board, Gilbert stated. There are new board members because the first approval in September 2022.
Work on the web site to adequately handle stormwater will occur with a allow from the Maine Division of Environmental Safety, Ellis stated. The house giveaway to a veteran will nonetheless occur, however she doesn’t know the timeline. The appliance is open by means of Oct. 20.
“I’m a girl of my phrase and my intention is to have an important place for individuals to reside in Bangor, Maine, and they’re going to,” Ellis stated.
