User's Guide: This article contains specific information related to the procedures to be followed during a pre-application conference, the required submissions, the setting of the contour intervals required on subsequent plans, the scheduling of required on-site inspections, and establishes that rights are not vested by the pre-application review.
A. 
The purpose of the pre-application conference is to allow any prospective applicant applying under the provisions of this chapter the opportunity to discuss a proposed project with the Board.
B. 
It is a voluntary, informal procedure intended to identify any prospective problems that may arise as a result of the proposed project or prospective application.
The procedures to be followed for a pre-application conference are as follows:
A. 
The prospective applicant shall request that the matter be placed on the agenda for discussion with the Board.
B. 
The prospective applicant shall present a simple sketch plan indicating the scope of the prospective project, any prospective construction, any significant or difficult terrain conditions, and any other features of the proposed project that the prospective applicant wishes to discuss with the Board.
A. 
The prospective applicant may request the Board to conduct an on-site inspection of the area of the proposed project.
B. 
The Chair of the Board shall then appoint at least two members or associate members of the Board to conduct such a site inspection within 30 days of the request.
C. 
The applicant shall prepare the site prior to site inspection by placing stakes at the corners of all proposed structures and facilities.
D. 
Those conducting the site inspection shall report their findings to the Board at the next regular meeting of the Board after the site inspection has been completed.
E. 
The report of the site inspection findings shall include the following:
(1) 
The general slope of the land;
(2) 
The proximity of the proposed project to any water body, wetland, Resource Protection District, Limited Development District, or Meadow Pond District;
(3) 
Sight lines to and from the proposed project;
(4) 
Any other information relevant to assist the Board and the prospective applicant to determine the feasibility of the proposed project.
F. 
The prospective applicant may request that the Board determine the contour interval required on subsequent plans.
(1) 
The Board shall determine the contour interval required based on the steepness of the slope of the land and shall notify the prospective applicant in writing within 30 days of its determination. Note: Since contour intervals are vertical, the flatter the land the smaller the interval must be in order to reveal the contours of the land.
(2) 
The contour interval in feet for slopes of less than 10% shall be at least equal to the slope of the land in percent. (For example, a site having a general slope of 5% would require a contour interval of at least five feet.)
(3) 
The contour interval for slopes greater than 10% shall not be more than 10 feet. The Board may require contour intervals of less than 10 feet for areas where the slope of the terrain and the area drained is such that the Board deems lesser intervals necessary.
(4) 
If an applicant elects not to request a determination of the contour interval required on plans submitted to the Board as part of an application, the contour interval shall be not more than five feet.
(5) 
If upon review of the preliminary or final plan the Board determines that the nature of the project requires contour intervals of less than five feet pursuant to Subsection F(2), the applicant then shall supply such plans.
The submittal of any plan or document at a pre-application conference shall not constitute an application, nor shall such submittal be considered the initiation of the review process for the purposes of bringing a plan under the protection of 1 M.R.S.A. § 302.