Planning Board Minutes

Litchfield Planning Board Minutes
February 5, 2007

1.0 Meeting convenes at 7:00 p.m. at Litchfield Town Office.
No guests attending

1.1 Members present: Eric Seaman (chair), Judy Rogers, John Hatch, and Mike
Seaman, secretary Lezley Sturtevant and CEO Steve Ochmanski. Member Robert
Gordon and alternate Marvin Allen are excused.

2.0 Minutes of January 8, 2007 submitted for approval. Judy makes a motion
to approve as amended, and 2nd by Eric. Vote 4-0-0.

3.0 Agenda Additions/Adjustments

5.1 KVCOG

5.2 Monmouth Comp Plan

4.0 Scheduled Business

4.1 Planning Board (PB) attendance requirement - chair asks what the board's
thoughts are regarding changing the attendance policy in the PB Ordinance.
The ordinance treats excused and unexcused absences the same. The PB must
request the Selectmen to waive attendance policy when absences surpass the
limit. Should excused absences be overlooked, or should attendance be
defined. Currently 4 consecutive missed meetings or 75% of all meetings
make a member inactive. There should be some latitude and flexibility for
unforeseen circumstances being a volunteer position. Eric suggests removing
...4 consecutive regular meetings... and add language stating unexcused
absence totaling 25% of all meetings. It would be left to the PB's
discretion regarding excused and unexcused (notified prior or not). The
purpose of changes would be to avoid dealing with absence issues when
members exceed the limits in the Ordinance. The section in the Ordinance
may need to be rewritten. Mike suggests the board take time to think about
it and come up with a new or revised attendance policy. Tabled.

4.2 Land Use Ordinance permit requirements - Steve O., issues have come up -
opinions from Maine Municipal Association - as is; anything done would need
a permit. Current explanation..."fair market value...$1,000.00"... and
"improvements". The reason for permitting is so assessing can be accurate,
but things like replacement windows can exceed cost limit with only 2-3
windows. John mentions the town of Friendship asks residents to file intent
to alter instead of a permit at no fee. The removal of the words
"improvement" and "alteration" would change residents need to apply for
permits for maintenance and general upgrades. The Planning Board will make
a recommendation to the Board of Assessors for approval. The fair market
value could be increased, but then sheds and other accessory structure could
be built without approval or verification of setbacks; essentially
increasing number of violations. Currently, the assessor only inspects the
interior of a home if the homeowner requests it. Mike makes a motion to
remove the words improvement and alterations from the LUO, page 4, Section
3, A, 1, and have it reviewed by the Board of Assessors, and add on page 5,
Section 3, B, 3 - modification to the interior of a dwelling unit. (Move 3
&4 to 4 & 5). Eric 2nd the motion and vote 4-0-0.

4.3 Results of the Strategic Planning Committee survey, (SPC) - handouts for
review. Mike asks how the SPC is using the results. Judy explains there
has only been one meeting since the results were composed.
Eric asks if the board has any future planning thoughts. Is there a
possibility of the PB working with the SPC? Mike's first impression of the
survey - the residents are asking for a lot more planning than is being
done. Most residents don't realize what they are asking for and the
conflicts involved. The survey needs to be studied closely with an
appreciation for all views and walks of life.
4.4 Shoreland Zoning Ordinance revisions - Steve O got in touch with Rich
Baker regarding Pg 17, C. Piers, Docks (4) the dock can have a "T" -
technically, the restriction can not be left out, but Rich doesn't believe
anyone would mention it if it were omitted. The last sentence of (4) could
be omitted and leave it up to the state. (PB to discuss later). Page 37,
P. Clearing or Removal of Vegetation ..., this is completely different from
timber harvesting. There are changes in language, numbers, and points chart
is changed. The lower half of page 38 and next 2 paragraphs on page 39 is
new. Section 16 is mostly the same with a few new items. Any work on a
basement/foundation requires PB review for reasons of moving structures back
from the water. Page 4 Section 12, B, (2) may cover the requirements for
permits. Use Section 12, C Non-conforming Structures (appendix A) for page
4-5 12, C, (1). Page 44, Section F Expiration of Permit is new, and PB will
amend one year to keep current 24-month length of permit. In Section H,
(1), (a) there are "de novo" related changes. Section I has very few
changes but the Note is different from the current Shoreland Zoning
Ordinance. The board reviewed the definitions for new or changed items.

5.0 Unscheduled Business/Discussion

5.1 KVCOG - new planning - McGregor; does the PB want assistance, possibly
with the mapping.

5.2 Monmouth Comp Plan - date for comment has gone by.

6.0 Future Agenda Items

6.1 In Laws & Subdivision, situation - landowner divide one lot for sale;
then need to create a 3rd lot within 5 yrs for immediate family (senior) for
health reasons. This situation would be okay. It could be an issue if not
immediate family, accessory structure on same lot OK, but limitations on
size and land support.

6.2 Next meeting on February 19, 2007, need Steve O. for mapping.

7.0 Adjournment

7.1 Judy made a motion to adjourn at 9:40 p.m., and Mike 2nd. Vote 4-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Lezley Sturtevant, Secretary