Planning Board Minutes

Litchfield Planning Board Minutes
January 8, 2007

1.0 Meeting convenes at 7:02 p.m. at Litchfield Town Office in the History
Center.
No guests attending

1.1 Members present: Eric Seaman (chair), Judy Rogers, John Hatch, Robert
Gordon, and Mike Seaman, secretary Lezley Sturtevant. Marvin Allen,
alternate is excused and Steve Ochmanski, CEO joins after attending the
Selectmen's Meeting upstairs.

2.0 Minutes of December 4, 2006 submitted for approval. Rob makes a motion
to approve as amended, and 2nd by Judy. Vote 5-0-0.

3.0 Agenda Additions/Adjustments

5.1 Monmouth Comprehensive Plan update

5.2 Town of Litchfield website

5.3

4.0 Scheduled Business

4.1 Senior Advisory Committee - workshop. Eric asks if anyone planning to
attend on Saturday. Judy is going, and John and Eric may attend depending
on work responsibilities. No formal representation is necessary.

5.1 Monmouth Comp Plan - Mike feels the Planning Board, (PB) should review
the draft due to the common areas we share with Monmouth, e.g. Woodbury Pond
and Sand Pond. Board asks Steve O. if he would have a chance to do the
review, but Steve doesn't believe he can accommodate. Both towns would have
the same Shoreland Zoning restrictions based on Maine Department of
Environmental Protection, (MDEP). Secretary, Lezley S., will send the file
to the PB member via email, except Eric will pick a copy up at the Town
Office.

5.2 Town website - Judy attended the meeting; not many people were there.

4.3 Memo regarding Permits - Steve Musica - improvements need a permit, e.g.
steel roofing replacing asphalt shingles, valuing over $1000.00. Steve O.
suggests changing the dollar value on permits needed to eliminate minor
improvements. Eric wants to know if the board wants to address this issue
with the Land Use Ordinance. Yes, and the recommendation should be sent
from the PB to the Selectmen. Topic to be added to next months
business-meeting agenda. Another option would be to edit or remove
"improvement". Eric will alert the Selectmen of the board's intention to
change it.

4.2 Shoreland Zoning Ordinance revisions - Pg 17, C. Piers, Docks...(1-3)
same, (4)...surrounding character...added last sentence (6ft restriction).
Topic needs to be discussed further. Number (5) minor change, (6) new, (7)
formerly 6, (8) formerly 7. Note has minor changes and whole last line
added. Section D is mostly the same and section E has exchanged the word
permitted for allowed, E (2) added horizontal distance, (3) one recreation
vehicle...(new), to be discussed further, and (4-6) same. Section F has
nothing new but the Note has added 22 MRSA. Section G (1) tributary stream
and horizontal distance added, substituted shoreline for normal high water
line... and other small changes. Minor changes in (2 & 3), and board needs
to decide whether General Development District will be added to our
Ordinance. Section H has horizontal distance added in some places and
...planning board may reduce...has been removed. Most of the 3rd paragraph
was added. Items (2 - 9) all have a few minor changes in each. Section I
has changed language in some places, and J has a new Note. Section K (1)
has added everything after Wastewater Rules...and the Note. Section L (3)
is new and M (1-5) has some modifications. Section N has a few changes and
a new Note. Eric asks if the board wants to tackle Timber Harvesting now or
come back to it; choices are home rule (current) or adopt state rule. The
state's regulations will not go into effect until 252 municipalities of 336
adopt state rule. The town of Litchfield would be responsible for enforcing
the state rule until effective. The board chooses to tackle subject now.
Differences between the two are erosion control, slash, road building and
state allows more cutting. Both new versions allow cutting in Resource
Protection; our old Ordinance does not allow within 75 feet of the water.
Mike wonders if most municipalities will go with the state rule. John
doesn't feel forestry areas in Maine are likely to give up control. Section
O (1,a-b) have minor changes but (b) added as well as the Note; (2) minor
changes with a new Note. Section O-1(1), board discusses whether opening
Resource Protection to cutting within 75ft. from the water is agreeable.
Approximately 6 years ago the PB voted to continue to prohibit cutting in
Resource Protection. Most of Litchfield's land in Resource Protection is
critical Wildlife Habitat. Eric believes the regulations are strict enough
that it shouldn't be an issue to allow cutting. Board probably won't go
with the state rule, but if not using state rule - no state help. Item (2)
has no significant changes. Section O-1 Statewide standards - changes in
(3a, iii) size of canopy openings, and (b) board could opt to add basal area
to our current SZO; (c) Licensed Forester required. (4a-c) some expansion,
(5) more commercial intent, (6) crossing water bodies is mostly the same as
current law and (6a-i) are road related and not really applicable to
Litchfield, as is (7) slope table.
The board overall agrees the state rules are overkill as far as Litchfield
is concerned and are likely to keep a the current SZO, and make some
modifications. The board will pick up the review at Section P during the
next meeting.

5.0 Unscheduled Business/Discussion

5.2 The Selectmen want Steve O. to attend the second scheduled PB meeting
each month only if requested by the Planning Board.

6.0 Future Agenda Items

6.1 Jan 15th - Selectmen and Strategic Planning Committee will join the PB
planning meeting at 7 p.m. to discuss future planning. Between 6 & 7 p.m.
the board will discuss the Monmouth Comp Plan and their intentions, goals
and ambitions for planning sessions and Ordinances.

6.2 Monmouth Comp Plan reply

7.0 Adjournment

7.1 Judy made a motion to adjourn at 9:05 p.m., and Mike 2nd. Vote 5-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Lezley Sturtevant, Secretary