[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4)]
The purposes of this ordinance are to further the maintenance
of safe and healthful conditions; to prevent and control water pollution;
to protect fish spawning grounds, aquatic life, bird and other wildlife
habitat; to protect buildings and lands from flooding and accelerated
erosion; to protect archaeological and historic resources; to protect
commercial fishing and maritime industries; to protect freshwater
and coastal wetlands; to control building sites, placement of structures
and land uses; to conserve shore cover, and visual as well as actual
points of access to inland and coastal waters; to conserve natural
beauty and open space; and to anticipate and respond to the impacts
of development in shoreland areas.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4)]
This ordinance has been prepared in accordance with the provisions
of Title 38, Sections 435 through 449 of the Maine Revised Statutes
Annotated (M.R.S.A.).
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003; amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98]
This ordinance applies to all land areas within 250 feet, horizontal
distance, of the normal high-water line of any great pond, river or
freshwater wetland; within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the upland
edge of a coastal or freshwater wetland; within 250 feet, horizontal
distance, of the normal high-water line of Swan Pond Brook, and its
tributaries specifically depicted on the Official Zoning Map; and
within 100 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line
of a stream. This ordinance also applies to any structure built on,
over or abutting a dock, wharf or pier, or other structure extending
or located below the normal high-water line of a water body or within
a wetland.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
A. This ordinance, which was adopted by the Biddeford City Council on
October 18, 2016, shall not be effective unless approved by the Commissioner
of the Department of Environmental Protection. A certified copy of
the ordinance, or ordinance amendment, attested and signed by the
Municipal Clerk, shall be forwarded to the Commissioner for approval.
If the Commissioner fails to act on this ordinance, or ordinance amendment,
within 45 days of his/her receipt of the ordinance, or ordinance amendment,
it shall be automatically approved.
B. Any application for a permit submitted to the City of Biddeford within
the forty-five-day period shall be governed by the terms of this ordinance,
or ordinance amendment, if the ordinance, or ordinance amendment,
is approved by the Commissioner.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4)]
A certified copy of this ordinance shall be filed with the Municipal
Clerk and shall be accessible to any member of the public. Copies
shall be made available to the public at reasonable cost at the expense
of the person making the request. Notice of availability of this ordinance
shall be posted.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4)]
Should any section or provision of this ordinance be declared
by the courts to be invalid, such decision shall not invalidate any
other section or provision of the ordinance.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); amended 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009.73; 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98]
Whenever a provision of this ordinance conflicts with or is inconsistent with another provision of this ordinance or of any other ordinance, regulation or statute administered by the City of Biddeford, the more restrictive provision shall control, except that where there are conflicts or inconsistencies between Section
12 (Nonconformance) of this ordinance and any other ordinance, regulation or statute administered by the City of Biddeford, Section
12 (Nonconformance) of this ordinance shall prevail.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
This ordinance may be amended by majority vote of the Biddeford
City Council. Copies of amendments, attested and signed by the Municipal
Clerk, shall be submitted to the Commissioner of the Department of
Environmental Protection following adoption by the Biddeford City
Council and shall not be effective unless approved by the Commissioner.
If the Commissioner fails to act on any amendment within 45 days of
his/her receipt of the amendment, the amendment is automatically approved.
Any application for a permit submitted to the City of Biddeford within
the forty-five-day period shall be governed by the terms of the amendment,
if such amendment is approved by the Commissioner.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003]
A. Official Zoning Map. The areas to which this ordinance is applicable
are hereby divided into the following overlays as shown on the Official
Zoning Map which is made a part of this ordinance:
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1. Resource
Protection (RP).
2. Resource
Protection-1 (RP-1).
3. Limited
Residential (LR).
5. General
Development 1 (GD-1).
6. General
Development 2 (GD-2).
7. Commercial
Fisheries/Maritime Activities (CFMA).
9. Waterfront
Renaissance (WR).
[Added 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
B. Scale of Map. The Official Zoning Map shall be drawn at a scale of
not less than: 1 inch = 2,000 feet. Overlay boundaries shall be clearly
delineated and a legend indicating the symbols for each overlay shall
be placed on the Map.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
C. Certification of Official Zoning Map. The Official Zoning Map shall
be certified by the attested signature of the Municipal Clerk and
shall be located in Biddeford City Hall.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
D. Changes to the Official Zoning Map. In amendments, in accordance with Section
8, are made in the overlay boundaries or other matter portrayed on the Official Zoning Map, such changes shall be made on the Official Zoning Map within 30 days after the amendment has been approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No.
2002.103, 8-19-2003; amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98]
Unless otherwise set forth on the Official Zoning Map or in
this ordinance by written description, overlay boundary lines are
property lines, the center lines of streets, roads and rights-of-way,
and the boundaries of the shoreland area as defined herein. Where
uncertainty exists as to the exact location of overlay boundary lines,
the Board of Appeals shall be the final authority as to location.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003]
Except as hereinafter specified, no building, structure or land
shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure
or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, expanded,
moved, or altered and no new lot shall be created except in conformity
with all of the regulations herein specified for the overlay in which
it is located, unless a variance is granted.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003]
A. Purpose. It is the intent of this ordinance to promote land use conformities, except that nonconforming conditions that existed before the effective date of this ordinance, or amendments thereto, shall be allowed to continue, subject to the requirements set forth in Section
12. Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, a nonconforming condition shall not be permitted to become more nonconforming.
[Amended 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009.73; 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98]
B. General.
1.
Transfer of ownership: Nonconforming structures, lots, and uses
may be transferred, and the new owner may continue the nonconforming
use or continue to use the nonconforming structure or lot, subject
to the provisions of this ordinance.
2.
Repair and maintenance: This ordinance allows, without a permit,
the normal upkeep and maintenance of nonconforming uses and structures
including repairs or renovations that do not involve expansion of
the nonconforming use or structure, and such other changes in a nonconforming
use or structure as federal, state, or local building and safety codes
may require.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
C. Nonconforming structures; effective date of amendments to Section
12C. The effective date of the amendments to Section 12C shall be
September 1, 2017. This effective date also applies to the definitions
of “expansion of structure” and “expansion of use”
in Section 17 of this ordinance.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
1.
Expansions. All new principal and accessory structures, excluding
functionally water-dependant uses, must meet the water body, tributary
stream, or wetland setback requirements contained in Section 15B1.
A nonconforming structure may be added to or expanded after obtaining
a permit from the same permitting authority as that for a new structure,
if such addition or expansion does not increase the nonconformity
of the structure and is in accordance with Subparagraphs a and b below.
a.
Expansion of any portion of a structure within 25 feet of the
normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland
edge of a wetland is prohibited, even if the expansion will not increase
nonconformity with the water body, tributary stream or wetland setback
requirement. Expansion of an accessory structure that is located
closer to the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream,
or upland edge of a wetland than the principal structure is prohibited,
even if the expansion will not increase nonconformity with the water
body, tributary stream, or wetland setback requirement.
b. Notwithstanding Subparagraph a, above, if a legally existing nonconforming
principal structure is entirely located less than 25 feet from the
normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland
edge of a wetland, that structure may be expanded as follows, as long
as all other applicable municipal land use standards are met and the
expansion is not prohibited by Section 12C1.
i. The maximum total footprint for the principal structure may not be
expanded to a size greater than 800 square feet or 30% larger than
the footprint that existed on January 1, 1989, whichever is greater.
The maximum height of the principal structure may not be made greater
than 15 feet or the height of the existing structure, whichever is
greater.
c. All other legally existing nonconforming principal and accessory
structures that do not meet the water body, tributary stream, or wetland
setback requirements may be expanded or altered as follows, as long
as other applicable municipal land use standards are met and the expansion
is not prohibited by Section 12C1, or Section 12C1a, above.
i. For structures located less than 100 feet from the normal high-water
line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland edge of a wetland,
the maximum combined total footprint for all structures may not be
expanded to a size greater than 1,000 square feet or 30% larger than
the footprint that existed on January 1, 1989, whichever is greater.
For structures located less than 75 feet but greater than 25 feet
from the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream,
or the upland edge of a wetland the maximum height of any structure
may not be made greater than 20 feet or the height of the existing
structure, whichever is greater. For structures located less than
100 feet but greater than 75 feet from the normal high-water line
of a water body, tributary stream, or the upland edge of a wetland
the maximum height of any structure may not be made greater than 25
feet or the height of the existing structure, whichever is greater.
[Amended 3-7-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-17]
ii. In addition to the limitations in Subparagraph i, for structures
that are legally nonconforming due to their location within the Resource
Protection District, the maximum combined total footprint for all
structures may not be expanded to a size greater than 1,500 square
feet or 30% larger than the footprint that existed at the time the
Resource Protection District was established on the lot, whichever
is greater. The maximum height of any structure may not be made greater
than 25 feet or the height of the existing structure, whichever is
greater, except that any portion of those structures located less
than 100 feet from the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary
stream, or upland edge of a wetland must meet the footprint and height
limits in Section 12C1bi, and Section 12C1ci, above.
d. An approved plan for expansion of a nonconforming structure must
be recorded by the applicant with the Registry of Deeds within 90
days of approval. The recorded plan must show the existing and proposed
footprint of the nonconforming structure, the existing and proposed
structure height, the footprint of any other structures on the parcel,
the Shoreland Zone boundary and evidence of approval by the municipal
review authority.
2.
Foundations. Whenever a new, enlarged, or replacement foundation
is constructed under a nonconforming structure, the structure and
new foundation must be placed such that the setback requirement is
met to the greatest practical extent as determined by the Planning
Board, basing its decision on the criteria specified in Section 12C3
(Relocation) below.
3.
Relocation: A nonconforming structure may be relocated within
the boundaries of the parcel on which the structure is located, provided
that the site of relocation conforms to all setback requirements to
the greatest practical extent as determined by the Planning Board,
and provided that the applicant demonstrates that the present subsurface
sewage disposal system meets the requirements of state law and the
State of Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (Rules), or that
a new system can be installed in compliance with the law and said
Rules. In no case shall a structure be relocated in a manner that
causes the structure to be more nonconforming.
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In determining whether the building relocation meets the setback
to the greatest practical extent, the Planning Board shall consider
the size of the lot, the slope of the land, the potential for soil
erosion, the location of other structures on the property and on adjacent
properties, the location of the septic system and other on-site soils
suitable for septic systems, and the type and amount of vegetation
to be removed to accomplish the relocation. When it is necessary to
remove vegetation within the water or wetland setback area in order
to relocate a structure, the Planning Board shall require replanting
of native vegetation to compensate for the destroyed vegetation in
accordance with Section 15S. In addition, the area from which the
relocated structure was removed must be replanted with vegetation.
Replanting shall be required as follows:
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a. Trees removed in order to relocate a structure must be replanted
with at least one native tree, three feet in height, for every tree
removed. If more than five trees are planted, no one species of tree
shall make up more than 50% of the number of trees planted. Replaced
trees must be planted no further from the water or wetland than the
trees that were removed. Other woody and herbaceous vegetation and
ground cover that are removed or destroyed in order to relocate a
structure must be reestablished. An area at least the same size as
the area where vegetation and/or ground cover was disturbed, damaged,
or removed must be reestablished within the setback area. The vegetation
and/or ground cover must consist of similar native vegetation and/or
ground cover that was disturbed, destroyed or removed.
b. Where feasible, when a structure is relocated on a parcel, the original
location of the structure shall be replanted with vegetation which
may consist of grasses, shrubs, trees, or a combination thereof.
4.
Reconstruction or replacement. Any nonconforming structure which
is located less than the required setback from a water body, tributary
stream, or upland edge of a wetland which is removed, or damaged or
destroyed regardless of the cause, by more than 50% of the market
value of the structure before such damage, destruction or removal,
may be reconstructed or replaced provided that a permit is obtained
within 18 months of the date of said damage, destruction, or removal,
and provided that such reconstruction or replacement is in compliance
with the water body, tributary stream or wetland setback requirement
to the greatest practical extent as determined by the Planning Board
in accordance with the purposes of this ordinance. If the reconstructed
or replacement structure is less than the required setback it shall
not be any larger than the original structure, except as allowed pursuant
to Section 12C1 above, as determined by the nonconforming footprint
of the reconstructed or replaced structure at its new location. If
the total footprint of the original structure can be relocated or
reconstructed beyond the required setback area, no portion of the
relocated or reconstructed structure shall be replaced or constructed
at less than the setback requirement for a new structure. When it
is necessary to remove vegetation in order to replace or reconstruct
a structure, vegetation shall be replanted in accordance with Section
12C3 above.
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Any nonconforming structure which is located less than the required
setback from a water body, tributary stream, or wetland and which
is removed by 50% or less of the market value, or damaged or destroyed
by 50% or less of the market value of the structure, excluding normal
maintenance and repair, may be reconstructed in place if a permit
is obtained, from the Code Enforcement Officer within one year of
such damage, destruction, or removal.
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In determining whether the building reconstruction or replacement
meets the setback to the greatest practical extent the Planning Board
shall consider in addition to the criteria in Section 12C3 above,
the physical condition and type of foundation present, if any.
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5.
Change of use of a nonconforming structure. The use of a nonconforming
structure may not be changed to another use unless the Planning Board
after receiving a written application determines that the new use
will have no greater adverse impact on the water body tributary stream
or wetland, or on the subject or adjacent properties and resources
than the existing use.
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In determining that no greater adverse impact will occur, the
Planning Board shall require written documentation from the applicant,
regarding the probable effects on public health and safety, erosion
and sedimentation, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, vegetative
cover, visual and actual points of public access to waters, natural
beauty, floodplain management, archaeological and historic resources,
and commercial fishing and maritime activities, and other functionally
water-dependent uses.
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D. Nonconforming uses.
1.
Expansions: Expansions of nonconforming uses are prohibited,
except that nonconforming residential uses may, after obtaining a
permit from the Planning Board, be expanded within existing residential
structures or within expansions of such structures as permitted in
Section 12C1 above.
[Amended 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009.73; 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
2.
Resumption prohibited: A lot, building or structure in or on
which a nonconforming use is discontinued for a period exceeding one
year, or which is superseded by a conforming use, may not again be
devoted to a nonconforming use except that the Planning Board may,
for good cause shown by the applicant, grant up to a one-year extension
to that time period. This provision shall not apply to the resumption
of a use of a residential structure, provided that the structure has
been used or maintained for residential purposes during the preceding
five-year period.
3.
Change of use: An existing nonconforming use may be changed
to another nonconforming use provided that the proposed use has no
greater adverse impact on the subject and adjacent properties and
resources, including water dependent uses in the CFMA (Commercial
Fisheries-Maritime Activities) Overlay, than the former use, as determined
by the Planning Board. The determination of no greater adverse impact
shall be made according to criteria listed in Section 12C5 above.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
E. Nonconforming lots:
1.
Nonconforming lots. A nonconforming lot of record as of the
effective date of this ordinance or amendment thereto may be built
upon, without the need for a variance, provided that such lot is in
separate ownership and not contiguous with any other lot in the same
ownership, and that all provisions of this ordinance except lot area,
lot width, and shore frontage can be met. Variances relating to setback
or other requirements not involving lot area or shore frontage shall
be obtained by action of the Board of Appeals.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
2.
Contiguous built lots. If two or more contiguous lots or parcels
are in a single or joint ownership of record at the time of adoption
of this ordinance, if all or part of the lots do not meet the dimensional
requirements of this ordinance, and if a principal use or structure
exists on each lot, the nonconforming lots may be conveyed separately
or together, provided that the State Minimum Lot Size Law (12 M.R.S.A.
§§ 4807-A through 4807-D) and the State of Maine Subsurface
Wastewater Disposal Rules are complied with.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
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If two or more principal uses or structures existed on a single
lot of record on the effective date of this ordinance, each may be
sold on a separate lot provided that the above referenced law and
rules are complied with. When such lots are divided each lot thus
created must be as conforming as possible to the dimensional requirements
of this ordinance.
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3.
Contiguous lots vacant or partially built. If two or more contiguous
lots or parcels are in single or joint ownership of record at the
time of or since adoption or amendment of this ordinance, if any of
these lots do not individually meet the dimensional requirements of
this ordinance or subsequent amendments, and if one or more of the
lots are vacant or contain no principal structure the lots shall be
combined to the extent necessary to meet the dimensional requirements.
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This provision shall not apply to two or more contiguous lots,
at least one of which is nonconforming, owned by the same person or
persons on December 20, 1990, and recorded in the Registry of Deeds
if the lot is served by a public sewer or can accommodate a subsurface
sewage disposal system in conformance with the State of Maine Subsurface
Wastewater Disposal Rules, and: [Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
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a.
Each lot contains at least 100 feet of shore frontage and at
least 20,000 square feet of lot area; or
b.
Any lots that do not meet the frontage and lot size requirements
of Section 12E3a are reconfigured or combined so that each new lot
contains at least 100 feet of shore frontage and 20,000 square feet
of lot area.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2000.69, 2-20-2001; Ord. No. 2002.6, 1-15-2002; Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003; amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98 and
City Council motions]
A. Resource Protection (RP) District. The Resource Protection District
includes areas in which development would adversely affect water quality,
productive habitat, biological ecosystems, or scenic and natural values.
This district shall include the following areas when they occur within
the limits of the Shoreland Zone, exclusive of the Stream Protection
District, except that areas which are currently developed and areas
which meet the criteria for the Limited Commercial, General Development
1, General Development 2 or Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities
Districts need not be included within the Resource Protection District.
For further clarification of those areas not included in RP under
this definition, refer to the Official Zoning Map and the descriptions
of other districts provided in this section.
1.
Areas within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the upland edge
of freshwater wetlands and wetlands associated with great ponds and
rivers, which are rated "moderate" or "high" value waterfowl and wading
bird habitat, including nesting and feeding areas, by the MDIF&W
that are depicted on a GIS layer maintained by either MDIF&W or
the Maine Department of Environmental Protection as of December 31,
2008. For the purposes of this paragraph "wetlands associated with
great ponds and rivers" shall mean areas characterized by non-forested
wetland vegetation and hydric soils that are contiguous with a great
pond or river, and have a surface elevation at or below the water
level of the great pond or river during the period of normal high
water. "Wetlands associated with great ponds or rivers" are considered
to be part of that great pond or river.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
2.
Floodplains along rivers and floodplains along artificially
formed great ponds along rivers, defined by the one-hundred-year floodplain
as designated on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA)
Flood Insurance Rate Maps or Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, or the flood
of record, or in the absence of these, by soil types identified as
recent floodplain soils. This district shall also include one-hundred-year
floodplains adjacent to tidal waters as shown on FEMA's Flood Insurance
Rate Maps or Flood Hazard Boundary Maps.
3.
Areas of two or more contiguous acres with sustained slopes
of 20% or greater.
4.
Areas of two or more contiguous acres supporting wetland vegetation
and hydric soils, which are not part of a freshwater or coastal wetland
as defined, and which are not surficially connected to a water body
during the period of normal high water.
5.
Land areas along rivers subject to severe bank erosion, undercutting,
or river bed movement and lands adjacent to tidal waters which are
subject to severe erosion or mass movement, such as steep coastal
bluffs.
6. The land area located on the west side of Granite Point Road, as
depicted on the Official Zoning Map.
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For clarification of the Granite Point area to the west side
of Granite Point Road, the RP District is as depicted on the Official
Zoning Map and in no case extends east of the center line of Granite
Point Road. The northern extent of the RP District in Granite Point
includes Biddeford Tax Map 67, Lot 2; Tax Map 67, Lot 2-2; Tax Map
5, Lot 5; and part of Tax Map 5, Lot 9-4, extending west along the
same bearing as the northern lot boundary of Tax Map 5, Lot 5, to
the Little River. The southern extent of the RP District in Granite
Point is to the southern tip of Timber Point as depicted on the Official
Zoning Map.
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For clarification of the Fortunes Rocks area on the west side
of Fortunes Rocks Road, the RP District is as depicted on the Official
Zoning Map and in no case extends east of the center line of Fortunes
Rocks Road or north of the center line of Bridge Street.
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For clarification of the Mile Stretch area on the west side
of Mile Stretch Road, the RP District is as depicted on the Official
Zoning Map and includes all lots northeast of, and including, Biddeford
Tax Map 62, Lot 26-1, and in no case extends east of the center line
of Mile Stretch Road.
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B. Resource Protection-1 District (RP-1). The RP-1 District is specific
to the Swan Pond Brook corridor. The City of Biddeford recognizes
the critical nature of limiting development that would adversely affect
water quality, productive habitat and biological ecosystems in the
Swan Pond Brook corridor, due to its proximity to the intake pipe
of the City's public water supply. The RP-1 District shall include
areas within 250 feet, horizontal distance of the normal high-water
line (as determined in the field) of Swan Pond Brook and tributaries
as specifically depicted on the Official Zoning Map of the City of
Biddeford.
C. General Development (GD-1) District. The General Development District
includes the following types of existing, intensively developed areas:
1.
Areas of two or more contiguous acres devoted to commercial,
industrial or intensive recreational activities, or a mix of such
activities, including but not limited to the following:
a.
Areas devoted to manufacturing, fabricating or other industrial
activities;
b.
Areas devoted to wholesaling, warehousing, retail trade and
service activities, or other commercial activities; and
c.
Areas devoted to intensive recreational development and activities,
such as, but not limited to amusement parks, race tracks and fairgrounds.
2.
Areas otherwise discernible as having patterns of intensive
commercial, industrial or recreational uses.
3. Portions of the General Development 1 District may also include residential
development. However, no area shall be designated as a General Development
District based solely on residential use.
D. General Development 2 (GD-2) District. The General Development 2
District includes the same types of areas as those listed for the
General Development 1 District. The General Development 2 District,
however, shall be applied to newly established General Development
Districts where the pattern of development at the time of adoption
is undeveloped or not as intensively developed as that of the General
Development 1 District.
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Portions of the General Development 2 District may also include
residential development. However, no area shall be designated as a
General Development District based solely on residential use.
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E. Stream Protection (SP) District. The Stream Protection District includes all land areas within 100 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of a stream (as determined in the field), exclusive of those areas within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of a great pond, or river, or within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the upland edge of a freshwater or coastal wetland. Where a stream and its associated shoreland area is located within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the above water bodies or wetlands, that land area shall be regulated under the terms of the Shoreland District associated with that water body or wetland. The beginning (furthest upstream extent) of a stream is as depicted on the Official Zoning Map of the City of Biddeford, unless determined to be otherwise by the Zoning Board of Appeals as per Article
XIV, Section
10.
F. Limited Residential (LR) District. The Limited Residential District
includes those areas suitable for residential and recreational development.
It includes areas other than those in the Resource Protection District,
Stream Protection Districts, and areas which are used less intensively
than those in the Limited Commercial District, the General Development
Districts, or the Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities District.
The Limited Residential District includes the following:
1.
The land area located within 250 feet, horizontal distance,
of the normal high-water line of any great pond, river, or freshwater
wetland; and within 250 feet of the upland edge of a coastal or freshwater
wetland as depicted on the Official Zoning Map and field verified,
unless otherwise described below;
a.
For clarification along the interior of "The Pool," the LR District
is as depicted on the Official Zoning Map and follows property line
boundaries away from "The Pool" except for the following:
i.
"Hills Beach Area: For clarification around the northwest coastal
wetland associated with ''The Pool" starting and including Tax Map
9, Lot 3-5, and running clockwise around the coastal wetland, the
LR District boundary is the upland edge of the coastal wetland until
Tax Map 54, Lot 97. Starting at and including Tax Map 54, Lot 97,
all lots southwest of Hills Beach Road to Tax Map 54, Lot 85, are
designated within an LR District except Tax Map 54, Lots 93, 98, and
99, and Tax Map 55, Lot 47-1 (which are designated as RP).
c.
For clarification regarding the area located west of Granite
Point Road, the south boundary of the LR District meets the north
boundary of the RP District as depicted on the Official Zoning Map.
d.
For clarification of the Granite Point Road area on the west
side of Granite Point Road in the vicinity of Heather Lane, the LR
District crosses Granite Point Road from the Atlantic Ocean side as
depicted on the Official Zoning Map and as field determined.
G. Limited Commercial (LC) District. The Limited Commercial District
includes areas of mixed, light commercial and residential uses, exclusive
of the Stream Protection District, which should not be developed as
intensively as the General Development Districts. This district may
include commercial lots in existence prior to January 1, 1989, as
defined below. Industrial uses are prohibited. For clarification purposes,
the LC Districts include the following commercial areas:
1.
The Shoreland Zone (as determined in the field) that overlays
the W3 Zone.
H. Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities (CFMA) District.
1.
The Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities District includes
areas where the existing predominant pattern of development is consistent
with the allowed uses for this district as indicated in the Table
of Land Uses, Section 14, and other areas which are suitable for functionally
water-dependent uses, taking into consideration such factors as:
a.
Shelter from prevailing winds and waves;
b.
Slope of the land within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the
shoreline;
c.
Depth of the water within 150 feet, horizontal distance, of
the shoreline;
d.
Available support facilities including utilities and transportation
facilities; and
e.
Compatibility with adjacent upland uses.
2.
For clarification purposes, the CFMA District includes the following
area:
a.
The Shoreland Zone (as determined in the field) that overlays
Tax Map 47, Lot 1, (Marblehead Boat Launch).
I. Waterfront
Renaissance (WR) District. The Waterfront Renaissance District includes
targeted areas of Biddeford’s former industrialized waterfront
located along the Saco River and immediately adjacent to the City’s
urban core. Intensive redevelopment here is critical to the ongoing
revitalization of downtown, with this district supporting a mixture
of new commercial, residential and open space development. The Waterfront
Renaissance District shall include areas within 250 feet of the Saco
River, horizontally measured from the normal high-water line.
[Added 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
[Ord. No. 2000.9, 3-7-2000; Ord. No. 2000.69, 2-20-2001; Ord. No. 2000.137, 1-2-2001; Ord.
No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003; Ord. No. 2007.30, 6-5-2007]
All land use activities, as indicated in Table 1, Land Uses
in the Shoreland Zone, shall conform with all of the applicable land use standards
in Section 15. The overlay designation for a particular site shall
be determined from the Official Zoning Map.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2000.69, 2-20-2001; Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003; Ord. No. 2007.30, 6-5-2007]
All land use activities within the Shoreland Zone shall conform
with the following provisions, if applicable.
A. Minimum lot standards.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
|
|
|
Minimum Lot Area
(square feet)
|
Minimum Shore Frontage
(feet)
|
---|
|
Residential per Dwelling Unit
|
|
A.
|
Within the Shoreland Zone adjacent to tidal areas
|
30,000
|
150
|
|
B.
|
Within the Shoreland Zone adjacent to nontidal areas
|
40,000
|
200
|
|
C.
|
Within the General Development District 1 (within existing structures
only)
|
None
|
None
|
|
D.
|
Within the Waterfront Renaissance District
|
425
|
None
|
|
Governmental, Institutional, Commercial or Industrial per Principal
Structure
|
|
A.
|
Within the Shoreland Zone adjacent to tidal areas exclusive
of those areas zoned for commercial fisheries and maritime activities
|
40,000
|
200
|
|
B.
|
Within the Shoreland Zone adjacent to tidal areas zoned for
commercial fisheries and maritime activities
|
None
|
None
|
|
C.
|
Within the Shoreland Zone adjacent to nontidal areas
|
60,000
|
300
|
|
D.
|
Within the General Development District 1 (within existing structures
only)
|
None
|
None
|
|
E.
|
Within the Waterfront Renaissance District
|
5,000
|
100
|
|
Public and Private Recreational Facilities
|
|
A.
|
Within the Shoreland Zone adjacent to tidal and nontidal areas
|
40,000
|
200
|
|
B.
|
Within the General Development District 1
|
None
|
None
|
|
C.
|
Within the Waterfront Renaissance District
|
None
|
None
|
1.
Land below the normal high-water line of a water body or upland
edge of a wetland and land beneath roads serving more than two lots
shall not be included toward calculating minimum lot area.
2.
Lots located on opposite sides of a public or private road shall
be considered each a separate tract or parcel of land unless such
road was established by the owner of land on both sides thereof after
September 22, 1971.
3.
The minimum width of any portion of any lot within 100 feet,
horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of a water body
or upland edge of a wetland shall be equal to or greater than the
shore frontage requirement for a lot with the proposed use.
4.
If more than one residential dwelling unit, principal governmental,
institutional, commercial or industrial structure, or use, or combination
thereof, is constructed or established on a single parcel, all dimensional
requirements shall be met for each additional dwelling unit, principal
structure, or use, except as provided in the above Table in the General
Development District.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
B. Principal and accessory structures.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
All new principal and accessory structures shall be set back
at least 100 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal high-water
line of great ponds classified GPA and rivers that flow to great ponds
classified GPA, and 100 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal
high-water line of other water bodies, tributary streams, or the upland
edge of a wetland, except that:
[Amended 6-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-44; 9-3-2019 by Ord. No. 2019.90; 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
|
a.
|
In the Waterfront Renaissance excluding areas west of Elm Street
and in the General Development 1 and 2 Districts the setback from
the normal high-water line of the wetland shall be at least 25 feet,
horizontal distance;
|
|
b.
|
In the Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities District there
shall be no minimum setback;
|
|
c.
|
The setback for structures associated with essential services
in the Limited Residential District shall be at least 75 feet, horizontal
distance; and
|
|
d.
|
The setback for structures from the normal high-water line of
the wetland shall be at least 75 feet, horizontal distance, in that
portion of the Institutional (IN) Zone subject to the Limited Residential
District described as follows:
|
|
A certain lot or parcel of land situated on the easterly side
of Hills Beach Road, in the City of Biddeford, County of York, State
of Maine, and being more specifically bounded and described as follows:
|
|
BEGINNING at a point marking the intersection of the northwesterly
extension of the southwesterly sideline of the UNE wastewater treatment
plant and the upper edge of the coastal wetland adjacent to the Saco
River, thence southerly along a line through the southwesterly sideline
of the UNE wastewater treatment plant a distance of 310 feet more
or less to the intersection of said line with the City of Biddeford
Limited Residential (LR) Zone boundary;
|
|
THENCE: northeasterly along said LR Zone boundary a distance
of 414 feet more or less to a point;
|
|
THENCE: northerly 340 feet more or less to a point on the upland
edge of the coastal wetland adjacent to the Saco River.
|
|
Meaning and intending to encompass a portion of Lot 4, as shown
on City of Biddeford Official Tax Map 52.
|
|
Within that portion of the Institutional (IN) Zone subject to a Shoreland Zoning District, existing buildings, structures, and roads may be maintained, modified, or replaced, but no new buildings shall be built or located and no existing buildings shall be enlarged (including the replacement of existing buildings), except as follows: The existing buildings and roads may be modified to the extent necessary to meet the requirements of applicable local, state, or federal codes or regulations, the existing sewage treatment plant may be expanded or replaced, and the existing Marine Science Center may be expanded through the construction of one additional building, provided that such changes meet all shoreland requirements and the performance standards of Article XIV.
|
a.
The water body, tributary stream, or wetland setback provision
shall neither apply to structures which require direct access to the
water body or wetland as an operational necessity, such as piers,
docks and retaining walls, nor to other functionally water-dependent
uses.
c.
For principal structures, water and wetland setback measurements
shall be taken from the top of a coastal bluff that has been identified
on coastal bluff maps as being "highly unstable" or "unstable" by
the Maine Geological Survey pursuant to its "Classification of Coastal
Bluffs" and published on the most recent coastal bluff map. If the
applicant and the permitting official(s) are in disagreement as to
the specific location of a "highly unstable" or "unstable" bluff,
or where the top of the bluff is located, the applicant may, at his
or her expense, employ a Maine registered professional engineer, a
Maine certified soil scientist, a Maine state geologist, or other
qualified individual to make a determination. If agreement is still
not reached, the applicant may appeal the matter to the Zoning Board
of Appeals.
d.
On a nonconforming lot of record on which only a residential
structure exists, and it is not possible to place an accessory structure
meeting the required water body, tributary stream or wetland setbacks,
the Code Enforcement Officer may issue a permit to place a single
accessory structure, with no utilities, for the storage of yard tools
and similar equipment. Such accessory structure shall not exceed 80
square feet in area nor eight feet in height, and shall be located
as far from the shoreline or tributary stream as practical and shall
meet all other applicable standards, including lot coverage and vegetation
clearing limitations. In no case shall the structure be located closer
to the shoreline or tributary stream than the principal structure.
2.
Principal or accessory structures and expansions of existing structures which are permitted in the Resource Protection and Limited Residential, Limited Commercial, and Stream Protection Districts, shall not exceed 35 feet in height. This provision shall not apply to structures such as transmission towers, windmills, antennas, and similar structures having no floor area. Further, this provision shall not apply to cupolas, domes, widow’s walks and other similar features added to a legally existing conforming structure, provided that the provisions of 38 M.R.S.A. §439-A, Subsection
9, are met as follows:
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
a. The legally existing conforming structure is not located in a Resource
Protection District or a Stream Protection District as defined in
guidelines adopted by the Board; and
b. The cupola, dome, widow's walk or other similar feature:
i. Does not extend beyond the exterior walls of the existing structure;
ii. Has a floor area of 53 square feet or less; and
iii.
Does not increase the height of the existing structure, as determined under 38 M.R.S.A. § 436-A, Subsection
-
A, by more than seven feet.
|
For purposes of this provision "cupola, dome, widow's walk or
other similar feature" means a nonhabitable building feature mounted
on a building roof for observation purposes.
|
3.
The lowest floor elevation or openings of all buildings and
structures including basements shall be elevated at least one foot
above the elevation of the one-hundred-year flood, the flood of record,
or in the absence of these, the flood as defined by soil types identified
as recent floodplain soils. In those municipalities that participate
in the National Flood Insurance Program and have adopted the April
2005 version, or later version, of the Floodplain Management Ordinance,
accessory structures may be placed in accordance with the standards
of that ordinance and need not meet the elevation requirements of
this paragraph.
4.
Nonvegetated surfaces.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69; 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
a. With the exception of the Waterfront Renaissance and General Development
Districts located adjacent to coastal wetlands and rivers that do
not flow to great ponds, and Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities
Districts, nonvegetated surfaces shall not exceed a total of 20% of
the portion of the lot located within the Shoreland Zone. This limitation
does not apply to public boat launching facilities regardless of the
district in which the facility is located.
b. In a Waterfront Renaissance or General Development District located
adjacent to coastal wetlands, or rivers that do not flow to great
ponds, or in a Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Activities District,
nonvegetated surfaces shall not exceed a total of 70% of the portion
of the lot located within the Shoreland Zone. In the Waterfront Renaissance
District west of Route 1/Elm Street, nonvegetated surfaces shall not
exceed 55% of the portion of the lot within the shoreland zone.
c. For the purposes of calculating lot coverage, nonvegetated surfaces
include, but are not limited to the following: structures, driveways,
parking areas, and other areas from which vegetation has been removed.
Naturally occurring ledge and rock outcroppings are not counted as
nonvegetated surfaces when calculating lot coverage for lots of record
on March 24, 1990, and in continuous existence since that date.
d. When calculating lot coverage for lots of record on March 24, 1990,
and in continuous existence since that date, the area of naturally
occurring ledge and rock outcroppings not to be counted as nonvegetated
surfaces in a Shoreland Zone shall be deducted from the total lot
area before calculating the allowable lot coverage. For example,
a lot of 40,000 square feet located entirely in a Limited Residential
District with 10,000 square feet of ledge reduces the applicable lot
area to 30,000 square feet to which the 20% maximum nonvegetated surface
would be applied being 30,000 square feet times 20% equaling 6,000
square feet.
5.
Retaining walls that are not necessary for erosion control shall
meet the structure setback requirement, except for low retaining walls
and associated fill, provided that all of the following conditions
are met:
a.
The site has been previously altered and an effective vegetated
buffer does not exist;
b.
The wall(s) is(are) at least 25 feet, horizontal distance, from
the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland
edge of a wetland;
c.
The site where the retaining wall will be constructed is legally
existing lawn or is a site eroding from lack of naturally occurring
vegetation, and which cannot be stabilized with vegetative plantings;
d.
The total height of the wall(s), in the aggregate, is no more
than 24 inches;
e.
Retaining walls are located outside of the one-hundred-year
floodplain on rivers, streams, coastal wetlands, and tributary streams,
as designated on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA)
Flood Insurance Rate Maps or Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, or the flood
of record, or in the absence of these, by soil types identified as
recent floodplain soils.
f.
The area behind the wall is revegetated with grass, shrubs,
trees, or a combination thereof, and no further structural development
will occur within the setback area, including patios and decks; and
g.
A vegetated buffer area is established within 25 feet, horizontal
distance, of the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary
stream, or upland edge of a wetland when a natural buffer area does
not exist. The buffer area must meet the following characteristics:
i.
The buffer must include shrubs and other woody and herbaceous
vegetation. Where natural ground cover is lacking, the area must be
supplemented with leaf or bark mulch;
ii. Vegetation plantings must be in quantities sufficient
to retard erosion and provide for effective infiltration of stormwater
runoff;
iii. Only native species may be used to establish the
buffer area;
iv. A minimum buffer width of 15 feet, horizontal distance,
is required, measured perpendicularly to the normal high-water line
or upland edge of a wetland;
v.
A footpath not to exceed the standards in Section 15P2a, may
traverse the buffer.
6.
Notwithstanding the requirements stated above, stairways or
similar structures may be allowed with a permit from the Code Enforcement
Officer, to provide shoreline access in areas of steep slopes or unstable
soils provided; that the structure is limited to a maximum of four
feet in width; that the structure does not extend below or over the
normal high-water line of a water body or upland edge of a wetland,
(unless permitted by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant
to the Natural Resources Protection Act, 38 M.R.S.A. § 480-C);
and that the applicant demonstrates that no reasonable access alternative
exists on the property.
C. Piers, docks, wharfs, bridges and other structures and uses extending
over or below the normal high-water line of a water body or within
a wetland.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
1.
Except as provided in Section 15C11 and Section 15X7, no more
than one pier, dock, wharf or similar structure extending or located
below the normal high-water line of a water body or within a wetland
is allowed on a single residential lot; except that when a single
lot contains at least twice the minimum shore frontage as specified
in Section 15A, a second structure may be allowed and may remain as
long as the lot is not further divided.
2.
Access from shore shall be developed on soils appropriate for
such use and constructed so as to control erosion.
3.
The location shall not interfere with existing developed or
natural beach areas.
4.
The facility shall be located so as to minimize adverse effects
on fisheries.
5.
The facility shall be no larger in dimension than necessary
to carry on the activity and be consistent with the surrounding character
and uses of the area. A temporary pier, dock, or wharf in nontidal
waters shall not be wider that six feet for noncommercial uses.
6.
No new structure shall be built on, over or abutting a pier,
wharf, dock or other structure extending beyond the normal high-water
line of a water body or within a wetland unless the structure requires
direct access to the water body or wetland as an operational necessity.
7.
New permanent piers and docks on nontidal waters shall not be
permitted unless it is clearly demonstrated to the Planning Board
that a temporary pier or dock is not feasible, and a permit has been
obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant
to the Natural Resources Protection Act.
8.
No existing structures built on, over or abutting a pier, dock,
wharf or other structure extending beyond the normal high-water line
of a water body or within a wetland shall be converted to residential
dwelling units in any district.
9.
Except in the General Development District, structures built
on, over or abutting a pier, wharf, dock or other structure extending
beyond the normal high-water line of a water body or within a wetland
shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the pier, wharf, dock or
other structure.
|
NOTE: Permanent structures projecting into or over water bodies
shall require a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection
pursuant to the Natural Resources Protection Act, Title 38 M.R.S.A.,
Section 480-C.
|
10. Vegetation may be removed in excess of the standards in Section 15P
of this ordinance in order to conduct shoreline stabilization of an
eroding shoreline, provided that a permit is obtained from the Planning
Board. Construction equipment must access the shoreline by barge when
feasible as determined by the Planning Board.
a. When necessary, the removal of trees and other vegetation to allow
for construction equipment access to the stabilization site via land
must be limited to no more than 12 feet in width. When the stabilization
project is complete, the construction equipment accessway must be
restored.
b. Revegetation must occur in accordance with Section 15S.
|
NOTE: A permit pursuant to the Natural Resource Protection Act
is required from the Department of Environmental Protection for shoreline
stabilization activities.
|
11. A deck over a river may be exempted from the shoreland setback requirements
if it is part of a downtown revitalization project that is defined
in a project plan approved by the legislative body of the municipality,
and may include the revitalization of structures formerly used as
mills that do not meet the structure setback requirements, if the
deck meets the following requirements:
a. The total deck area attached to the structure does not exceed 700
square feet;
b. The deck is cantilevered over a segment of a river that is located
within the boundaries of the downtown revitalization project;
c. The deck is attached to or accessory to an allowed commercial use
in a structure that was constructed prior to 1971 and is located within
the downtown revitalization project;
d. The construction of the deck complies with all other applicable standards,
except the shoreline setback requirements in Section 15B; and
e. The construction of the deck complies with all other state and federal
laws.
D. Campgrounds. Campgrounds shall conform to the minimum requirements
imposed under state licensing procedures and the following:
1.
Campgrounds shall contain a minimum of 5,000 square feet of
land, not including roads and driveways, for each site. Land supporting
wetland vegetation, and land below the normal high-water line of a
water body shall not be included in calculating land area per site.
2.
The areas intended for placement of a recreational vehicle,
tent or shelter, and utility and service buildings shall be set back
a minimum of 100 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal high-water
line of a great pond classified GPA or a river flowing to a great
pond classified GPA, and 75 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal
high-water line of other water bodies, tributary streams, or the upland
edge of a wetland.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
E. Individual private campsites. Individual, private campsites not associated
with campgrounds are allowed, provided the following conditions are
met:
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
One campsite per lot existing on the effective date of this
ordinance, or 30,000 square feet of lot area within the Shoreland
Zone, whichever is less, may be permitted.
2.
When an individual private campsite is proposed on a lot that
contains another principal use and/or structure, the lot must contain
the minimum lot dimensional requirements for the principal structure
and/or use and the individual private campsite separately.
Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
3.
Campsite placement on any lot, including the area intended for
a recreational vehicle or tent platform, shall be set back 100 feet;
horizontal distance, from the normal high-water line of a great pond
classified GPA or river flowing to a great pond classified GPA, and
100 feet from the normal high-water line of other water bodies, tributary
streams, or the upland edge of a wetland.
4.
Only one recreational vehicle shall be allowed on a campsite.
The recreational vehicle shall not be located on any type of permanent
foundation except for a gravel pad, and no structure except a canopy
shall be attached to the recreational vehicle.
5.
The clearing of vegetation for the siting of the recreational
vehicle, tent or similar shelter in a resource protection district
shall be limited to 1,000 square feet.
6.
A written sewage disposal plan describing the proposed method
and location of sewage disposal shall be required for each campsite
and shall be approved by the Local Plumbing Inspector. Where disposal
is off-site, written authorization from the receiving facility or
landowner is required.
7.
When a recreational vehicle, tent or similar shelter is placed
on-site for more than 120 days per year, all requirements for residential
structures shall be met, including the installation of a subsurface
sewage disposal system in compliance with the State of Maine Subsurface
Wastewater Disposal Rules unless served by public sewage facilities.
F. Commercial and industrial uses. The following new commercial and
industrial uses are prohibited within the Shoreland Zone adjacent
to great ponds classified GPA, and rivers and streams which flow to
great ponds classified GPA:
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
2.
Auto or other vehicle service and/or repair operations, including
body shops.
3.
Chemical and bacteriological laboratories.
4.
Storage of chemicals, including herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers
other than amounts normally associated with individual households
or farms.
5.
Commercial painting, wood preserving, and furniture stripping.
6.
Dry cleaning establishments.
7.
Electronic circuit assembly.
8.
Laundromats, unless connected to a sanitary sewer.
9.
Metal plating, finishing, or polishing.
10.
Petroleum or petroleum product storage and/or sale except storage
on same property as use occurs and except for storage and sales associated
with marinas.
G. Parking areas.
1.
Parking areas shall meet the shoreline and tributary stream
setback requirements for structures for the district in which such
areas are located, except that in the Commercial Fisheries/Maritime
Activities District parking areas shall be setback at least 25 feet,
horizontal distance, from the shoreline. The setback requirement for
parking areas serving public boat launching facilities, in districts
other than the General Development 1 and 2 Districts and Commercial
Fisheries/Maritime Activities District shall be reduced to no less
than 50 feet, horizontal distance, from the shoreline or tributary
stream if the Planning Board finds that no other reasonable alternative
exists further from the shoreline or tributary stream.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
2.
Parking areas shall be adequately sized for the proposed use
and shall be designed to prevent stormwater runoff from flowing directly
into a water body, tributary stream or wetland and, where feasible,
to retain all runoff on site.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
3.
In determining the appropriate size of proposed parking facilities,
the following shall apply:
a.
Typical parking space: Approximately 10 feet wide and 20 feet
long, except that parking spaces for a vehicle and boat trailer shall
be 40 feet long.
b.
Internal travel aisles: Approximately 20 feet wide.
H. Roads and driveways. The following standards shall apply to the construction
of roads and/or driveways and drainage systems, culverts and other
related features.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
Roads and driveways shall be set back at least 100 feet, horizontal
distance, from the normal high-water line of a great pond classified
GPA or a river that flows to a great pond classified GPA, and 75 feet,
horizontal distance, from the normal high-water line of other water
bodies, tributary steams, or the upland edge of a wetland unless no
reasonable alternative exists as determined by the Planning Board.
If no other reasonable alternative exists, the road and/or driveway
setback requirement shall be no less than 50 feet, horizontal distance,
upon clear showing by the applicant that appropriate techniques will
be used to prevent sedimentation of the water body, tributary stream,
or wetland. Such techniques may include, but are not limited to, the
installation of settling basins, and/or the effective use of additional
ditch relief culverts and turnouts placed so as to avoid sedimentation
of the water body, tributary stream, or wetland. On slopes of greater
than 20% the road and/or driveway setback shall be increased by 10
feet, horizontal distance, for each five-percent increase in slope
above 20%.
|
Section 15H1 does not apply to approaches to water crossings
or to roads or driveways that provide access to permitted structures
and facilities located nearer to the shoreline or tributary stream
due to an operational necessity, excluding temporary docks for recreational
uses. Roads and driveways providing access to permitted structures
within the setback area shall comply fully with the requirements of
Section 15H1 except for that portion of the road or driveway necessary
for direct access to the structure.
|
2.
Existing public roads may be expanded within the legal road
right-of-way regardless of their setback from a water body, tributary
stream or wetland.
3.
New roads and driveways are prohibited in a Resource Protection
District except that the Planning Board may grant a permit to construct
a road or driveway to provide access to permitted uses within the
district. A road or driveway may also be approved by the Planning
Board in a Resource Protection District upon a finding that no reasonable
alternative route or location is available outside the district. When
a road or driveway is permitted in a Resource Protection District,
the road and/or driveway shall be set back as far as practicable from
the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary stream, or upland
edge of a wetland.
4.
Road and driveway banks shall be no steeper than a slope of
two horizontal to one vertical, and shall be graded and stabilized
in accordance with the provisions for erosion and sedimentation control
contained in Section 15T.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
5.
Road and driveway grades shall be no greater than 10% except
for segments of less than 200 feet.
6.
In order to prevent road and driveway surface drainage from
directly entering water bodies, tributary streams or wetlands, roads
and driveways shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to empty
onto an unscarified buffer strip at least 50 feet plus two times the
average slope, in width between the outflow point of the ditch or
culvert and the normal high-water line of a water body, tributary
stream, or upland edge of a wetland. Surface drainage which is directed
to an unscarified buffer strip shall be diffused or spread out to
promote infiltration of the runoff and to minimize channelized flow
of the drainage through the buffer strip.
7.
Ditch relief (cross drainage) culverts, drainage dips and water
turnouts shall be installed in a manner effective in directing drainage
onto unscarified buffer strips before the flow gains sufficient volume
or head to erode the road, driveway, or ditch. To accomplish this,
the following shall apply:
a.
Ditch relief culverts, drainage dips and associated water turnouts
shall be spaced along the road or driveway at intervals no greater
than indicated in the following table:
|
Grade
|
Spacing
(feet)
|
---|
|
0% to 2%
|
250
|
|
3% to 5%
|
200 to 135
|
|
6% to 10%
|
100 to 80
|
|
11% to 15%
|
80 to 60
|
|
16% to 20%
|
60 to 45
|
|
21% or more
|
40
|
b.
Drainage dips may be used in place of ditch relief culverts
only where the grade is 10% or less.
c.
On sections having slopes greater than 10%, ditch relief culverts
shall be placed at approximately a thirty-degree angle downslope from
a line perpendicular to the center line of the road or driveway.
d.
Ditches relief culverts shall be sufficiently sized and properly
installed in order to allow for effective functioning, and their inlet
and outlet ends shall be stabilized with appropriate materials.
8.
Ditches, culverts, bridges, dips, water turnouts and other stormwater
runoff control installations associated with roads and driveways shall
be maintained on a regular basis to assure effective functioning.
I. Signs. The following provisions shall govern the use of signs in
the Resource Protection Stream Protection, Limited Residential and
Limited Commercial Districts:
1.
Signs relating to goods and services sold on the premises shall
be allowed, provided that such signs shall not exceed six square feet
in area and shall not exceed two signs per premises. In the Limited
Commercial District, however, such signs shall not exceed 16 square
feet in area. Signs relating to goods or services not sold or rendered
on the premises shall be prohibited.
2.
Name signs are allowed, provided such signs shall not exceed
two signs per premises, and shall not exceed 12 square feet in the
aggregate.
3.
Residential users may display a single sign not over three square
feet in area relating to the sale, rental, or lease of the premises.
4.
Signs relating to trespassing and hunting shall be allowed without
restriction as to number provided that no such sign shall exceed two
square feet in area.
5.
Signs relating to public safety shall be allowed without restriction.
6.
No sign shall extend higher than 20 feet above the ground.
7.
Signs may be illuminated only by shielded, nonflashing lights.
J. Stormwater runoff.
1.
All new construction and development shall be designed to minimize
stormwater runoff from the site in excess of the natural predevelopment
conditions. Where possible, existing natural runoff control features,
such as berms, swales, terraces and wooded areas shall be retained in order to reduce runoff and encourage
infiltration of stormwaters.
2.
Stormwater runoff control systems shall be maintained as necessary
to ensure proper functioning.
K. Septic waste disposal.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
All subsurface sewage disposal systems shall be installed in
conformance with the State of Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal
Rules and the following: a) clearing or removal of woody vegetation
necessary to site a new system and any associated fill extensions,
shall not extend closer than 75 feet, horizontal distance, from the
normal high-water line of a water body or the upland edge of a wetland
and b) a holding tank is not allowed for a first-time residential
use in the Shoreland Zone.
L. Essential services.
1.
Where feasible, the installation of essential services shall
be limited to existing public ways and existing service corridors.
2.
The installation of essential services, other than roadside
distribution lines, is not allowed in a Resource Protection or Stream
Protection District, except to provide services to a permitted use
within said district, or except where the applicant demonstrates that
no reasonable alternative exists. Where allowed, such structures and
facilities shall be located so as to minimize any adverse impacts
on surrounding uses and resources, including visual impacts.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
3.
Damaged or destroyed public utility transmission and distribution
lines, towers and related equipment may be replaced or reconstructed
without a permit.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
M. Mineral exploration and extraction. Mineral exploration to determine
the nature or extent of mineral resources shall be accomplished by
hand sampling, test boring, or other methods which create minimal
disturbance of less than 100 square feet of ground surface. A permit
from the Code Enforcement Officer shall be required for mineral exploration
which exceeds the above limitation. All excavations, including test
pits and holes shall be immediately capped, filled or secured by other
equally effective measures, to restore disturbed areas and to protect
the public health and safety. Mineral extraction may be permitted
under the following conditions:
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
A reclamation plan shall be filed with, and approved by, the
Planning Board before a permit is granted. Such plan shall describe
in detail procedures to be undertaken to fulfill the requirements
of Section 15M3 below.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
2.
No part of any extraction operation, including drainage and
runoff control features shall be permitted within 100 feet, horizontal
distance, of the normal high-water line of a great pond classified
GPA or a river flowing to a great pond classified GPA, and within
75 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of any
other water body, tributary stream, or the upland edge of a wetland.
Extraction operations shall not be permitted within 50 feet, horizontal
distance, of any property line, without written permission of the
owner of such adjacent property.
3.
Within 12 months following the completion of extraction operations
at any extraction site, which operations shall be deemed complete
when less than 100 cubic yards of materials are removed in any consecutive
twelve-month period, ground levels and grades shall be established
in accordance with the following:
a.
All debris, stumps, and similar material shall be removed for
disposal in an approved location, or shall be buried on-site. Only
materials generated on site may be buried or covered on-site.
b.
The final graded slope shall be a 2 1/2 to one slope or
flatter.
c.
Topsoil or loam shall be retained to cover all disturbed land
areas, which shall be reseeded and stabilized with vegetation native
to the area. Additional topsoil or loam shall be obtained from off-site
sources if necessary to complete the stabilization project.
4.
In keeping with the purposes of this ordinance, the Planning
Board may impose such conditions as are necessary to minimize the
adverse impacts associated with mineral extraction operations on surrounding
uses and resources.
N. Agriculture.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
All spreading of manure shall be accomplished in conformance
with Manure Utilization Guidelines published by the former Maine Department
of Agriculture on November 1, 2001, and the Nutrient Management Law
(7 M.R.S.A. §§ 4201 through 4209).
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
2.
Manure shall not be stored or stockpiled within 100 feet, horizontal
distance, of a great pond classified GPA or a river flowing to a great
pond classified GPA, or within 75 feet, horizontal distance, of other
water bodies, tributary streams, or wetlands. All manure storage areas
within the Shoreland Zone must be constructed or modified such that
the facility produces no discharge of effluent or contaminated stormwater.
3.
Agricultural activities involving tillage of soil greater than
40,000 square feet in surface area, within the Shoreland Zone, shall
require a conservation plan to be filed with the Planning Board. Nonconformance
with the provisions of said plan shall be considered to be a violation
of this ordinance.
4.
There shall be no new tilling of soil within 100 feet, horizontal
distance, of the normal high-water line of a great pond classified
GPA; within 75 feet, horizontal distance, from other water bodies;
nor within 25 feet, horizontal distance, of tributary streams, and
freshwater wetlands. Operations in existence on the effective date
of this ordinance and not in conformance with this provision may be
maintained.
5.
Newly established livestock grazing areas shall not be permitted
within 100 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line
of a great pond classified GPA; within 75 feet, horizontal distance
of other water bodies and coastal wetlands, nor within 25 feet, horizontal
distance, of tributary streams, and freshwater wetlands. Livestock
grazing associated with ongoing farm activities, and which are not
in conformance with the above setback provisions may continue, provided
that such grazing is conducted in accordance with a conservation plan.
P. Clearing or removal of vegetation for activities other than timber
harvesting.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
In a Resource Protection District abutting a great pond, there shall be no cutting of vegetation within the strip of land extending 75 feet, horizontal distance, inland from the normal high-water line, except to remove hazard trees as described in Subsection
Q. Elsewhere, in any Resource Protection District, the cutting or removal of vegetation shall be limited to that which is necessary for uses expressly authorized in that District.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
2.
Except in areas as described in Subsection
P1 above, within a strip of land extending 100 feet, horizontal distance, inland from the normal high-water line of a great pond classified GPA or a river flowing to a great pond classified GPA, and 75 feet, horizontal distance, from any other water body, tributary stream, or the upland edge of a wetland, a buffer strip of vegetation shall be preserved as follows:
[Amended 8-18-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.44; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
a.
There shall be no cleared opening greater than 250 square feet
in the forest canopy (or other existing woody vegetation if a forested
canopy is not present) as measured from the outer limits of the tree
or shrub crown. However, a single footpath not to exceed six feet
in width as measured between tree trunks and/or shrub stems is allowed
for accessing the shoreline, provided that a cleared line of sight
to the water through the buffer strip is not created.
b.
Selective cutting of trees within the buffer strip is allowed,
provided that a well-distributed stand of trees and other natural
vegetation is maintained.
i.
For the purposes of Section 15P2b, a "well-distributed stand
of trees" adjacent to a great pond classified GPA or a river or stream
flowing to a great pond classified GPA, shall be defined as maintaining
a rating score of 24 or more in each twenty-five-foot by fifty-foot
rectangular (1,250 square feet) area as determined by the following
rating system:
|
Diameter of Tree at 4 1/2 Feet Above Ground Level
(inches)
|
Points
|
---|
|
2 to < 4
|
1
|
|
4 to < 8
|
2
|
|
8 to < 12
|
4
|
|
12 or greater
|
8
|
ii. Adjacent to other water bodies, tributary streams,
and wetlands, a "well-distributed stand of trees" is defined as maintaining
a minimum rating score of 16 per twenty-five-foot by fifty-foot rectangular
area.
iii. The following shall
govern in applying this point system:
(a) The twenty-five-foot by fifty-foot rectangular
plots must be established where the landowner or lessee proposes clearing
within the required buffer;
(b) Each successive plot must be adjacent to, but not
overlap a previous plot;
(c) Any plot not containing the required points must
have no vegetation removed except as otherwise allowed by this ordinance;
(d) Any plot containing the required points may have
vegetation removed down to the minimum points required or as otherwise
allowed by this ordinance;
(e) Where conditions permit, no more than 50% of the
points on any twenty-five-foot by fifty-foot rectangular area may
consist of trees greater than 12 inches in diameter.
iv. For the purposes of Section 15P2b, "other natural
vegetation" is defined as retaining existing vegetation under three
feet in height and other ground cover and retaining at least five
saplings less than two inches in diameter at 4 1/2 feet above
ground level for each twenty-five-foot by fifty-foot rectangle area.
If five saplings do not exist, no woody stems less than two inches
in diameter can be removed until five saplings have been recruited
into the plot.
v.
Notwithstanding the above provisions, no more than 40% of the
total volume of trees four inches or more in diameter, measured at
4 1/2 feet above ground level may be removed in any ten-year
period.
c.
In order to protect water quality and wildlife habitat, existing
vegetation under three feet in height and other ground cover, including
leaf litter and the forest duff layer, shall not be cut, covered,
or removed, except to provide for a footpath or other permitted uses
as described in Section 15P, Paragraphs 2 and 2a, above.
d.
Pruning of tree branches, on the bottom 1/3 of the tree is allowed.
e.
In order to maintain a buffer strip of vegetation, when the removal of storm-damaged, dead or hazard trees results in the creation of cleared openings, these openings shall be replanted with native tree species in accordance with Subsection
Q, below, unless existing new tree growth is present.
Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
f. In order to maintain the vegetation in the shoreline buffer, clearing
or removal of vegetation for allowed activities, including associated
construction and related equipment operation, within or outside the
shoreline buffer, must comply with the requirements of Section 15P2.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
|
Section 15P2. Does not apply to: (a) those portions of public
recreational facilities adjacent to public swimming areas as long
as cleared areas are limited to the minimum area necessary; and (b)
airport vegetation removal projects within an Aircraft Approach Zone
where the Federal Aviation Administration has certified, in writing,
the need for safety hazard compliance with protected airspace so long
as any such projects are designed, constructed, implemented, operated,
and maintained to avoid or, where avoidance is not practicable, to
minimize impacts to resource areas, as evidenced by the acquisition
of all required permits.
|
3.
At distances greater than 100 feet, horizontal distance, from
a great pond classified GPA or a river flowing to a great pond classified
GPA, and 75 feet, horizontal distance, from the normal high-water
line of any other water body, tributary stream, or the upland edge
of a wetland, there shall be allowed on any lot, in any ten-year period,
selective cutting of not more than 40% of the volume of trees four
inches or more in diameter, measured 4 1/2 feet above ground
level. Tree removal in conjunction with the development of permitted
uses shall be included in the forty-percent calculation. For the purposes
of these standards volume may be considered to be equivalent to basal
area.
|
In no event shall cleared openings for any purpose, including
but not limited to, principal and accessory structures, driveways,
lawns and sewage disposal areas, exceed in the aggregate, 25% of the
lot area or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater, including land
previously cleared. This provision applies to the portion of a lot
within the Shoreland Zone, including the buffer area, but shall not
apply to the Waterfront Renaissance, General Development or Commercial
Fisheries/Maritime Activities Districts. [Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69; 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
|
4.
Legally existing nonconforming cleared openings may be maintained,
but shall not be enlarged, except as allowed by this ordinance.
5.
Fields and other cleared openings which have reverted to primarily
shrubs, trees, or other woody vegetation shall be regulated under
the provisions of Section 15P.
Q. Hazard
trees, storm-damaged trees, and dead tree removal.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
1. Hazard trees in the Shoreland Zone may be removed without a permit
after consultation with the Code Enforcement Officer if the following
requirements are met:
a. Within the shoreline buffer, if the removal of a hazard tree results
in a cleared opening in the tree canopy greater than 250 square feet,
replacement with native tree species is required, unless there is
new tree growth already present. New tree growth must be as near
as practicable to where the hazard tree was removed and be at least
two inches in diameter, measured at 4.5 feet above the ground level.
If new growth is not present, then replacement trees shall consist
of native species and be at least four feet in height, and be no less
than two inches in diameter. Stumps may not be removed.
b. Outside of the shoreline buffer, when the removal of hazard trees
exceeds 40% of the volume of trees four inches or more in diameter,
measured at 4.5 feet above ground level, in any ten-year period, and/or
results in cleared openings exceeding 25% of the lot area within the
Shoreland Zone, or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater, replacement
with native tree species is required, unless there is new tree growth
already present. New tree growth must be as near as practicable to
where the hazard tree was removed and be at least two inches in diameter,
measured at 4.5 feet above the ground level. If new growth is not
present, then replacement trees shall consist of native species and
be at least two inches in diameter, measured at 4.5 feet above the
ground level.
c. The removal of standing dead trees, resulting from natural causes,
is permissible without the need for replanting or a permit, as long
as the removal does not result in the creation of new lawn areas,
or other permanently cleared areas, and stumps are not removed. For
the purposes of this provision, dead trees are those trees that contain
no foliage during the growing season.
d. The Code Enforcement Officer may require the property owner to submit
an evaluation from a licensed forester or arborist before any hazard
tree can be removed within the Shoreland Zone.
e. The Code Enforcement Officer may require more than a one-for-one
replacement for hazard trees removed that exceed eight inches in diameter
measured at 4.5 feet above the ground level.
2. Storm-damaged trees in the Shoreland Zone may be removed without
a permit after consultation with the Code Enforcement Officer if the
following requirements are met:
a. Within the shoreline buffer, when the removal of storm-damaged trees
results in a cleared opening in the tree canopy greater than 250 square
feet, replanting is not required, but the area shall be required to
naturally revegetate, and the following requirements must be met:
i. The area from which a storm-damaged tree is removed does not result
in new lawn areas, or other permanently cleared areas;
ii. Stumps from the storm-damaged trees may not be removed;
iii.
Limbs damaged from a storm event may be pruned even if they
extend beyond the bottom 1/3 of the tree; and
iv. If after one growing season, no natural regeneration or regrowth
is present, replanting of native tree seedlings or saplings is required
at a density of one seedling per every 80 square feet of lost canopy
b. Outside of the shoreline buffer, if the removal of storm-damaged
trees exceeds 40% of the volume of trees four inches or more in diameter,
measured at 4.5 feet above the ground level in any ten-year period,
or results, in the aggregate, in cleared openings exceeding 25% of
the lot area within the Shoreland Zone or 10,000 square feet, whichever
is greater, and no natural regeneration occurs within one growing
season, then native tree seedlings or saplings shall be replanted
on a one-for-one basis.
R. Exemptions
to clearing and vegetation removal requirements. The following activities
are exempt from the clearing and vegetation removal standards set
forth in Section 15P, provided that all other applicable requirements
of this chapter are complied with, and the removal of vegetation is
limited to that which is necessary:
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
1. The removal of vegetation that occurs at least once every two years
for the maintenance of legally existing areas that do not comply with
the vegetation standards in this chapter, such as but not limited
to cleared openings in the canopy or fields. Such areas shall not
be enlarged, except as allowed by this section. If any of these areas,
due to lack of removal of vegetation every two years, reverts back
to primarily woody vegetation, the requirements of Section 15P apply;
2. The removal of vegetation from the location of allowed structures
or allowed uses, when the shoreline setback requirements of Section
15B are not applicable;
3. The removal of vegetation from the location of public swimming areas
associated with an allowed public recreational facility;
4. The removal of vegetation associated with allowed agricultural uses,
provided that best management practices are utilized, and provided
that all requirements of Section 15N are complied with;
5. The removal of vegetation associated with brownfields or voluntary
response action program (VRAP) projects, provided that the removal
of vegetation is necessary for remediation activities to clean up
contamination on a site in a Waterfront Renaissance District, General
Development District, Commercial Fisheries and Maritime Activities
District or other equivalent zoning district approved by the Commissioner
that is part of a state or federal brownfields program or a voluntary
response action program pursuant 38 M.R.S.A § 343-E, and
that is located along:
[Amended 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.99]
b. A river that does not flow to a great pond classified as GPA pursuant
to 38 M.R.S.A § 465-A.
6. The removal of non-native invasive vegetation species, provided that
the following minimum requirements are met:
a. If removal of vegetation occurs via wheeled or tracked motorized
equipment, the wheeled or tracked motorized equipment is operated
and stored at least 25 feet, horizontal distance, from the shoreline,
except that wheeled or tracked equipment may be operated or stored
on existing structural surfaces, such as pavement or gravel;
b. Removal of vegetation within 25 feet, horizontal distance, from the
shoreline occurs via hand tools; and
c. If applicable clearing and vegetation removal standards are exceeded
due to the removal of non-native invasive species vegetation, the
area shall be revegetated with native species to achieve compliance.
7. The removal of vegetation associated with emergency response activities
conducted by the Department, the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and their agents.
S. Revegetation
requirements. When revegetation is required in response to violations
of the vegetation standards set forth in Section 15P, to address the
removal of non-native invasive species of vegetation, or as a mechanism
to allow for development that may otherwise not be permissible due
to the vegetation standards, including removal of vegetation in conjunction
with a shoreline stabilization project, the revegetation must comply
with the following requirements:
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
1. The property owner must submit a revegetation plan, prepared with
and signed by a qualified professional, that describes revegetation
activities and maintenance. The plan must include a scaled site plan
depicting where vegetation was or is to be removed, where existing
vegetation is to remain, and where vegetation is to be planted, including
a list of all vegetation to be planted.
2. Revegetation must occur along the same segment of shoreline and in
the same area where vegetation was removed and at a density comparable
to the preexisting vegetation, except where a shoreline stabilization
activity does not allow revegetation to occur in the same area and
at a density comparable to the preexisting vegetation, in which case
revegetation must occur along the same segment of shoreline and as
close as possible to the area where vegetation was removed.
3. If part of a permitted activity, revegetation shall occur before
the expiration of the permit. If the activity or revegetation is not
completed before the expiration of the permit, a new revegetation
plan shall be submitted with any renewal or new permit application.
4. Revegetation activities must meet the following requirements for
trees and saplings:
a. All trees and saplings removed must be replaced with native noninvasive
species;
b. Replacement vegetation must, at a minimum, consist of saplings;
c. If more than three trees or saplings are planted, then at least three
different species shall be used;
d. No one species shall make up 50% or more of the number of trees and
saplings planted;
e. If revegetation is required for a shoreline stabilization project,
and it is not possible to plant trees and saplings in the same area
where trees or saplings were removed, then trees or sapling must be
planted in a location that effectively reestablishes the screening
between the shoreline and structures; and
f. A survival rate of at least 80% of planted trees or saplings is required
for a minimum period of five years.
5. Revegetation activities must meet the following requirements for
woody vegetation and other vegetation under three feet in height:
a. All woody vegetation and vegetation under three feet in height must
be replaced with native noninvasive species of woody vegetation and
vegetation under three feet in height as applicable;
b. Woody vegetation and vegetation under three feet in height shall
be planted in quantities and variety sufficient to prevent erosion
and provide for effective infiltration of stormwater;
c. If more than three woody vegetation plants are to be planted, then
at least three different species shall be planted;
d. No one species shall make up 50% or more of the number of planted
woody vegetation plants; and
e. Survival of planted woody vegetation and vegetation under three feet
in height must be sufficient to remain in compliance with the standards
contained within this chapter for minimum of five years.
6. Revegetation activities must meet the following requirements for
ground vegetation and ground cover:
a. All ground vegetation and ground cover removed must be replaced with
native herbaceous vegetation, in quantities and variety sufficient
to prevent erosion and provide for effective infiltration of stormwater;
b. Where necessary due to a lack of sufficient ground cover, an area
must be supplemented with a minimum four-inch depth of leaf mulch
and/or bark mulch to prevent erosion and provide for effective infiltration
of stormwater; and
c. Survival and functionality of ground vegetation and ground cover
must be sufficient to remain in compliance with the standards contained
within this chapter for minimum of five years.
T. Erosion and sedimentation control.
1.
All activities which involve filling, grading, excavation or
other similar activities which result in unstabilized soil conditions
and which require a permit shall also require a written soil erosion
and sedimentation control plan. The plan shall be submitted to the
permitting authority for approval and shall include, where applicable,
provisions for:
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
a.
Mulching and revegetation of disturbed soil.
b.
Temporary runoff control features such as hay bales, silt fencing
or diversion ditches.
c.
Permanent stabilization structures such as retaining walls or
riprap.
2.
In order to create the least potential for erosion, development
shall be designed to fit with the topography and soils of the site.
Areas of steep slopes where high cuts and fills may be required shall
be avoided wherever possible, and natural contours shall be followed
as closely as possible.
3.
Erosion and sedimentation control measures shall apply to all
aspects of the proposed project involving land disturbance, and shall
be in operation during all stages of the activity. The amount of exposed
soil at every phase of construction shall be minimized to reduce the
potential for erosion.
4.
Any exposed ground area shall be temporarily or permanently
stabilized within one week from the time it was last actively worked,
by use of riprap, sod, seed, and mulch, or other effective measures.
In all cases permanent stabilization shall occur within nine months
of the initial date of exposure. In addition:
a.
Where mulch is used, it shall be applied at a rate of at least
one bale per 500 square feet and shall be maintained until a catch
of vegetation is established.
b.
Anchoring the mulch with netting, peg and twine or other suitable
method may be required to maintain the mulch cover.
c.
Additional measures shall be taken where necessary in order
to avoid siltation into the water. Such measures may include the use
of staked hay bales and/or silt fences.
5.
Natural and man-made drainageways and drainage outlets shall
be protected from erosion from water flowing through them. Drainageways
shall be designed and constructed in order to carry water from a twenty-five
year storm or greater, and shall be stabilized with vegetation or
lined with riprap.
U. Soils. All land uses shall be located on soils in or upon which the
proposed uses or structures can be established or maintained without
causing adverse environmental impacts, including severe erosion, mass
soil movement, improper drainage, and water pollution, whether during
or after construction. Proposed uses requiring subsurface waste disposal,
and commercial or industrial development and other similar intensive
land uses, shall require a soils report based on an on-site investigation
and be prepared by state-certified professionals. Certified persons
may include Maine certified soil scientists, Maine registered professional
engineers, Maine state certified geologists and other persons who
have training and experience in the recognition and evaluation of
soil properties. The report shall be based upon the analysis of the
characteristics of the soil and surrounding land and water areas,
maximum ground water elevation, presence of ledge, drainage conditions,
and other pertinent data which the evaluator deems appropriate. The
soils report shall include recommendations for a proposed use to counteract
soil limitations where they exist.
V. Water quality. No activity shall deposit on or into the ground or
discharge to the waters of the state any pollutant that, by itself
or in combination with other activities or substances will impair
designated uses or the water classification of the water body, tributary
stream or wetland.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
W. Archaeological sites. Any proposed land use activity involving structural
development or soil disturbance on or adjacent to sites listed on,
or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
as determined by the permitting authority shall be submitted by the
applicant to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission for review
and comment, at least 20 days prior to action being taken by the permitting
authority. The permitting authority shall consider comments received
from the commission prior to rendering a decision on the application.
X. Recreational trails.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
Standards applicable to recreational trails.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
a.
Recreational trails shall be designed and constructed consistent
with the Maine Trails Manual "Guidelines for Recreational Trail Construction
in Maine," published by the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau
of Parks and Lands, dated October 2002, or the American Association
of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) "Guide for
the Development of Bicycle Facilities," 1999, except where stricter
standards are contained in this ordinance.
b.
Where a recreational trail is permitted within 100 feet of a
great pond or within 75 feet of another water body or wetland, tree
cutting associated with the recreational trail construction shall
be limited to the minimum amount necessary and, to the extent practical,
tree canopies over the trail shall be preserved.
c.
All portions of a recreational trail, including any trail spurs,
shall be designed and constructed to shed water, avoid erosion, and
minimize channelized flow to surface waters.
d.
A trail that exceeds the limitations contained in this section
shall meet all of the standards for roads and driveways found in Section
15H.
2.
Standards applicable to primitive trails.
a.
Primitive trails shall be set back at least 10 feet, horizontal
distance, from the normal high-water line of a water body or upland
edge of a wetland, except for water body and wetland crossings, and
water access sites. Water access sites are limited to one site per
500 feet of shore frontage, excluding canoe portage locations and
allowed footpaths pursuant to Section 15P2a, and shall be limited
to the width of the trail. Private water access sites shall not be
located closer than 200 linear feet from a footpath allowed by Section
15P2a.
b.
Primitive trails shall be constructed using hand tools only,
including power hand tools.
c.
The trail must be designed and constructed such that soil erosion
will be prevented. Such prevention measures may include steps, water
bars, drainage dips, and minor side-sloping of trails, in addition
to lining of the trail with crushed rock, pea stone, or other natural
material.
d.
Where necessary, wooden walkways, bridges, and similar installations
no more than four feet in width, are allowed in wet, rocky or unstable
areas.
3.
Standards Applicable to Category 2 multiple-use nonmotorized
trails.
a.
A Category 2 multiple-use nonmotorized trail, including its
base, shall set back at least 25 feet, horizontal distance, from the
normal high-water line of a water body or the upland edge of a wetland,
except for water and wetland access sites, and except where an existing
trail base or developed area is present, including but not limited
to a discontinued rail bed, roadway, parking area or industrial site.
The Planning Board may waive the setback requirement when the applicant
demonstrates that there is no other reasonable alternative for the
location of the trail. Examples include, but are not limited to, the
avoidance of rail, road and wetland crossings, the circumvention of
bridge abutments, ledges and steep slopes, and the need to meet required
safety standards. Where necessary, elevated walkways/platforms no
more than seven feet in width over a water body or wetland resource
may be permitted.
b.
Trail spurs, no more than five feet in width, may be constructed
to the water or wetland. No spur, however, shall be located less than
500 linear feet from another spur. Clearing of vegetation for a trail
spur shall not exceed 200 square feet per 25 linear feet of trail
length.
c.
Where necessary to prevent erosion of surface materials, trail
surfaces shall be paved, graveled, mulched, or otherwise stabilized.
4.
Standards Applicable to Category 1 multiple-use nonmotorized
trails.
a.
Category 1 multiple-use nonmotorized trails shall meet the same
shoreline or wetland setback requirement as that required of structures
in the applicable district, except as follows:
i.
A trail may be permitted over an existing base, such as a discontinued
rail bed, roadway, berm, dike, parking lot or industrial site. The
trail may be expanded within a road or rail right-of-way existing
on the effective date of this ordinance, provided that no part of
the expanded trail is less than 25 feet, horizontal distance, from
the normal high-water line of a water body or the upland edge of a
wetland.
ii. The setback requirement of the trail may be reduced
to no less than 25 feet for up to 25% of the length of the trail,
upon demonstration by the applicant that: water quality will not be
degraded; there will be no unreasonable impacts on natural beauty
or wildlife populations, including effects on habitat; and that the
trail will be designed and constructed in a manner consistent with
the purposes of this ordinance.
iii. Notwithstanding the limitations in Paragraphs
1a and 1b above, the Planning Board may waive the water or wetland
setback requirement when the applicant demonstrates that there is
no other reasonable alternative for the location of the trail. Examples
include, but are not limited to, the avoidance of rail, road, and
wetland crossings, the avoidance of permanent structures, ledges,
and steep slopes, and the need to meet required safety standards.
When the applicant demonstrates the need, an elevated walkway/platform
over the water or wetland resource may be permitted, provided that
it is no larger than necessary. NOTE: Elevated walkways must comply
with local floodplain management ordinances, and may require a permit
from the DEP pursuant to the Natural Resources Protection Act.
b.
When a trail is permitted within the structure setback area,
any significant areas of exposed mineral soil present between the
trail and the water body or wetland shall be planted with native vegetation
or be otherwise stabilized to prevent erosion and protect water quality.
c.
Trail spurs, no greater than eight feet in width, may be established
at distances no less than 500 linear feet apart. Clearing of vegetation
for a trail spur shall not exceed 250 square feet per 25 feet of spur
length. Trail spurs that extend to the shoreline shall not include
any structural development except that necessary for shoreline stabilization
or trail hardening, and except for the placement of a bench or similar
object for sitting purposes. No trail spur shall be permitted on sustained
ground slopes of greater than 15%.
d.
Trail surfaces must either be paved, graveled, mulched or otherwise stabilized/surfaced to prevent erosion of surface materials. Trail banks and side slopes steeper than a 50% slope and retaining walls greater than four feet in height shall be designed by a professional engineer and shall be stabilized in accordance with the provisions for erosion and sedimentation control contained in Subsection
Q.
5.
Standards applicable to Category 2 multiple-use trails, including
motorized uses.
a.
Category 2 multiple-use trails, including motorized uses, shall
meet the same shoreline or wetland setback requirement as that required
for structures in the district in which such trails are located, except
for water and wetland crossings, and except as follows:
i.
A trail may be permitted over a legally existing base, such
as a discontinued rail bed, roadway, berm, dike, parking lot or industrial
site. No portion of the base shall be expanded closer to the normal
high-water line of a water body or upland edge of a wetland.
ii. The Planning Board may waive the setback requirement
when the applicant demonstrates that there is no other reasonable
alternative for the location of the trail. Examples include the avoidance
of road and wetland crossings, ledges, and steep slopes. Any portion
of the trail that is less than 75 feet from a water body or wetland
shall be paved or similarly hardened to prevent erosion.
iii. A trail that is limited exclusively for winter
use need not meet setback requirements, provided that the trail is
chained, gated or otherwise blocked to motorized access, except during
frozen ground conditions.
iv. All crossings of flowing water shall require a
bridge or culvert, except in areas with low, hardened banks and channel
beds which are composed of gravel, rock or similar hard surface which
will not be eroded or otherwise damaged.
v.
Trails are prohibited within the Shoreland Zone of a significant
river segment, except for water crossings, and in a Resource Protection
District so designated because of wildlife habitat value or the presence
of sustained slopes greater than 20%.
vi. When a trail is permitted within the setback area,
any exposed mineral soil between the trail and the water body or wetland
shall be planted with native vegetation or be otherwise stabilized
in order to prevent erosion and protect water quality.
vii. Where trail stability is of concern, the Planning
Board may require hardening or compacting of the trail tread to prevent
erosion. Examples include wet or steeply sloped areas, and trail switchback
sites.
viii. Trail banks and side slopes steeper than a 50% slope and retaining walls greater than four feet in height shall be designed by a professional engineer and shall be stabilized in accordance with the provisions for erosion and sedimentation control contained in Subsection
Q.
6.
Standards applicable to Category 1 multiple-use trails, including
motorized uses.
a.
Category 1 multiple-use trails, including motorized uses, shall
meet the same standards as those for a Category 2 multiple-use trail,
including motorized uses, except that the Planning Board may waive
the setback requirement only where existing roads and similar obstructions
require the trail to be located within the setback area. In such case
the trail shall not extend into the setback area for more than 200
linear feet on each side of the obstruction. All portions of the trail
permitted within 75 feet of a water body or wetland shall be paved
or otherwise hardened or compacted to prevent erosion.
7. Exemption from setback requirements for walkways and trails over
rivers within a downtown revitalization project.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
a. A pedestrian walkway or trail is exempt from the otherwise applicable
water or wetland setbacks if the following requirements are met:
i. The walkway or trail is adjacent to a segment of a river that is
located within the boundaries of a downtown revitalization project;
ii. If cantilevered over a segment of river, the walkway or trail does
not extend over the river more than 10 feet from the normal high-water
line;
iii.
If cantilevered over a segment of river, the walkway or trail
is attached to a structure that was constructed prior to 1971 and
is located within a downtown revitalization project; and
iv. A walkway or trail may be cantilevered over a segment of river, provided
that the Planning Board has determined there is no other practical
means to construct the walkway or trail without cantilevering over
that segment of the river. If there are no other practical means to
construct the walkway or trail, approaches to the cantilevered walkway
or trail may also cantilever off adjacent retaining walls but no more
than is necessary to access the cantilevered walkway or trail.
b. A downtown revitalization project under this subsection must be
defined in a project plan approved by the legislative body of the
municipality and may include the revitalization of buildings formerly
used as mills that do not meet the water or wetland setback requirements
in Section 15.
c. Except for the water and wetland setback requirements in Section
15, a walkway or trail that meets the requirements of this subsection
must meet all other state and local permit requirements and comply
with all other applicable rules.
d. A walkway or trail exempt under this subsection may be either privately
or publicly owned and maintained.
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2000.9, 3-7-2000; Ord. No. 2000.137, 1-1-2001; Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003]
A. Administering bodies and agents.
1.
Code Enforcement Officer. A Code Enforcement Officer shall be
appointed or reappointed annually by July 1.
2.
Zoning Board of Appeals. A Board of Appeals shall be created
in accordance with the provisions of 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2691.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
3.
Planning Board. A Planning Board shall be created in accordance
with the provisions of state law.
B. Permits required. After the effective date of this ordinance no person
shall, without first obtaining a permit, engage in any activity or
use of land or structure requiring a permit in the overlay in which
such activity or use would occur; or expand, change, or replace an
existing use or structure; or renew a discontinued nonconforming use.
A person who is issued a permit pursuant to the ordinance shall have
a copy of the permit on site while the work authorized by the permit
is performed.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
A permit is not required for the replacement of an existing
road culvert as long as:
a.
The replacement culvert is not more than 25% longer than the
culvert being replaced;
b.
The replacement culvert is not longer than 75 feet; and
c.
Adequate erosion control measures are taken to prevent sedimentation
of the water, and the crossing does not block fish passage in the
watercourse.
2.
A permit is not required for an archaeological excavation as
long as the excavation is conducted by an archaeologist listed on
the State Historic Preservation Officer's Level 1 or Level 2 approved
list, and unreasonable erosion and sedimentation is prevented by means
of adequate and timely temporary and permanent stabilization measures.
3.
Any permit required by this ordinance shall be in addition to
any other permit required by other laws and ordinances.
C. Permit application.
1.
Every applicant for a permit shall submit a written application,
including a scaled site plan, on a form provided by the municipality,
to the appropriate official as indicated in Section 14.
2.
All applications shall be signed by an owner or individual who
can show evidence of right, title or interest in the property or by
an agent, representative, tenant, or contractor of the owner with
authorization from the owner to apply for a permit hereunder, certifying
that the information in the application is complete and correct.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
3.
All applications shall be dated, and the Code Enforcement Officer
or Planning Office, as appropriate, shall note upon each application
the date and time of its receipt.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
4.
If the property is not served by a public sewer, a valid plumbing
permit or a completed application for a plumbing permit, including
the site evaluation approved by the plumbing inspector, shall be submitted
whenever the nature of the proposed structure; or use would require
the installation of a subsurface sewage disposal system.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
5. When an excavation contractor will perform an activity that requires
or results in more than one cubic yard of soil disturbance, the person
responsible for management of erosion and sedimentation control practices
at the site must be certified in erosion control practices by the
Maine Department of Environmental Protection. This person must be
present at the site each day earthmoving activity occurs for a duration
that is sufficient to ensure that proper erosion and sedimentation
control practices are followed. This is required until erosion and
sedimentation control measures have been installed which will either
stay in place permanently or stay in place until the area is sufficiently
covered with vegetation necessary to prevent soil erosion. The name
and certification number of the person who will oversee the activity
causing or resulting in soil disturbance shall be included on the
permit application. This requirement does not apply to a person or
firm engaged in agriculture or timber harvesting if best management
practices for erosion and sedimentation control are used and municipal,
state and federal employees are engaged in projects associated with
that employment.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
D. Procedure for administering permits. Within 35 days of the date of
receiving a written application, the Planning Board or Code Enforcement
Officer, as appropriate, shall notify the applicant in writing either
that the application is a complete application, or, if the application
is incomplete, that specified additional material is needed to make
the application complete. The Planning Board or the Code Enforcement
Officer, as appropriate, shall approve, approve with conditions, or
deny all permit applications in writing within 35 days of receiving
a completed application. However, if the Planning Board has a waiting
list of applications, a decision on the application shall occur within
35 days after the first available date on the Planning Board's agenda
following receipt of the completed application, or within 35 days
of the public hearing, if the proposed use or structure is found to
be in conformance with the purposes and provisions of this ordinance.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
|
The applicant shall have the burden of proving that the proposed
land use activity is in conformity with the purposes and provisions
of this ordinance.
|
|
After the submission of a complete application to the Planning
Board, the Board shall approve an application or approve it with conditions
if it makes a positive finding based on the information presented
that the proposed use:
|
1.
Will maintain safe and healthful conditions;
2.
Will not result in water pollution, erosion, or sedimentation
to surface waters;
3.
Will adequately provide for the disposal of all wastewater;
4.
Will not have an adverse impact on spawning grounds, fish, aquatic
life, bird or other wildlife habitat;
5.
Will conserve shore cover and visual, as well as actual, points
of access to inland and coastal waters;
6.
Will protect archaeological and historic resources as designated
in the comprehensive plan;
7.
Will not adversely affect existing commercial fishing or maritime
activities in a commercial fisheries/maritime activities district;
8.
Will avoid problems associated with floodplain development and
use; and
9.
Is in conformance with the provisions of Section 15, Land Use
Standards.
|
If a permit is either denied or approved with conditions, the
reasons as well as conditions shall be stated in writing. No approval
shall be granted for an application involving a structure if the structure
would be located in an unapproved subdivision or would violate any
other local ordinance or regulation or statute administered by the
municipality. [Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
|
E. Expiration of permit. Permits shall expire one year from the date
of issuance if a substantial start is not made in construction or
in the use of the property during that period. If a substantial start
is made within one year of the issuance of the permit, the applicant
shall have one additional year to complete the project, at which time
the permit shall expire.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
F. Installation of Public Utility Service. A public utility, water district,
sanitary district or any utility company of any kind may not install
services to any new structure located in the Shoreland Zone unless
written authorization attesting to the validity and currency of all
local permits required under this or any previous ordinance has been
issued by the appropriate municipal officials or other written arrangements
have been made between the municipal officials and the utility.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
G. Appeals.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
1.
Powers and duties of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning
Board of Appeals shall have the following powers:
a.
Administrative appeals. To hear and decide administrative appeals,
on an appellare basis, where it is alleged by an aggrieved party that
there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination
made by, or failure to act by, the Planning Board in the administration
of this ordinance; and to hear and decide administrative appeals on
a de novo basis where it is alleged by an aggrieved party that there
is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made
by, or failure to act by, the Code Enforcement Officer in his or her
review of and action on a permit application under this ordinance.
Any order, requirement, decision or determination made, or failure
to act, in the enforcement of this ordinance, is not appealable to
the Zoning Board of Appeals.
b.
Variance appeals: To authorize variances upon appeal, within
the limitations set forth in this ordinance.
2.
Variance appeals. Variances may be granted only under the following
conditions:
a.
Variances may be granted only from dimensional requirements,
including but not limited to, lot width, structure height, percent
of lot coverage, and setback requirements.
b.
Variances shall not be granted for establishment of any uses
otherwise prohibited by this ordinance.
c.
The Board shall not
grant a variance unless it finds that:
1.
The proposed structure or use would meet the provisions of Section
15 except for the specific provision which has created the nonconformity
and from which relief is sought; and
2.
The strict application of the terms of this ordinance would
result in undue hardship. The term "undue hardship" shall mean:
i. That the land in question cannot yield a reasonable
return unless a variance is granted;
ii. That the need for a variance is due to the unique
circumstances of the property and not to the general conditions in
the neighborhood;
iii. That the granting of a variance will not alter
the essential character of the locality; and
iv. That the hardship is not the result of action taken
by the applicant or a prior owner.
d.
Notwithstanding Section 16G2cii above, the Zoning Board of Appeals,
or the Code Enforcement Officer, if authorized in accordance with
30-A M.R.S.A. § 4353-A, may grant a variance to an owner
of a residential dwelling for the purpose of making that dwelling
accessible to a person with a disability who resides in or regularly
uses the dwelling. The Board shall restrict any variance granted under
this subsection solely to the installation of equipment or the construction
of structures necessary for access to or egress from the dwelling
by the person with the disability. The Board may impose conditions
on the variance, including limiting the variance to the duration of
the disability or to the time that the person with the disability
lives in the dwelling. The term "structures necessary for access to
or egress from the dwelling" shall include railing, wall or roof systems
necessary for the safety or effectiveness of the structure. Any permit
issued pursuant to this subsection is subject to Section 16G2f and
16G4biv, below.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
e.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall limit any variances granted
as strictly as possible in order to ensure conformance with the purposes
and provisions of this ordinance to the greatest extent possible,
and in doing so may impose such conditions to a variance as it deems
necessary. The party receiving the variance shall comply with any
conditions imposed.
f.
A copy of each variance request, including the application and
all supporting information supplied by the applicant, shall be forwarded
by the municipal officials to the Commissioner of the Department of
Environmental Protection at least 20 days prior to action by the Zoning
Board of Appeals. Any comments received from the Commissioner prior
to the action by the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be made part of
the record and shall be taken into consideration by the Zoning Board
of Appeals.
3.
Administrative appeals.
a.
When the Zoning Board of Appeals reviews a decision of the Code
Enforcement Officer, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall hold a de novo
hearing. At this time the Board may receive and consider new evidence
and testimony, be it oral or written. When acting in a de novo capacity,
the Zoning Board of Appeals shall hear and decide the matter afresh,
undertaking its own independent analysis of evidence and the law,
and reaching its own decision.
b.
When the Zoning Board of Appeals hears a decision of the Planning
Board, it shall hold an appellate hearing, and may reverse the decision
of the Planning Board only upon finding that the decision was contrary
to specific provisions of the ordinance or contrary to the facts presented
to the Planning Board. The Zoning Board of Appeals may only review
the record of the proceedings before the Planning Board. The Zoning
Board Appeals shall not receive or consider any evidence which was
not presented to the Planning Board, but the Zoning Board of Appeals
may receive and consider written or oral arguments. If the Zoning
Board of Appeals determines that the record of the Planning Board
proceedings are inadequate, the Zoning Board of Appeals may remand
the matter to the Planning Board for additional fact finding.
4.
Appeal procedure.
a.
Making an appeal.
i.
An administrative or variance appeal may be taken to the Board
of Appeals by an aggrieved party from any decision of the Code Enforcement
Officer or the Planning Board, except for enforcement-related matters
as described in Section 16G1a above. Such an appeal shall be taken
within 30 days of the date of the official written decision appealed
from, and not otherwise, except that the Board, upon a showing of
good cause, may waive the thirty-day requirement.
ii. Applications
for appeals shall be made by filing with the Board of Appeals a written
notice of appeal which includes:
a. A concise written statement indicating what relief
is requested and why the appeal or variance should be granted.
b. A sketch drawn to scale showing lot lines, location
of existing buildings and structures and other physical features of
the lot pertinent to the relief sought.
iii. Upon receiving an application for an administrative
appeal or a variance, the Code Enforcement Officer or Planning Board,
as appropriate, shall transmit to the Board of Appeals all of the
papers constituting the record of the decision appealed from.
iv. The Board of Appeals shall hold a public hearing
on an administrative appeal or a request for a variance within 35
days of its receipt of complete written application, unless this time
period is extended by the parties.
b.
Decision by the Board of Appeals.
i.
A majority of the full voting membership of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for the purpose of deciding an appeal.
ii. The person filing the appeal shall have the burden
of proof.
iii. The Board shall decide all administrative appeals
and variance appeals within 35 days after the close of the hearing,
and shall issue a written decision on all appeals.
iv. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall state the reasons
and basis for its decision, including a statement of the facts found
and conclusions reached by the Board. The Board shall cause written
notice of its decision to be mailed or hand-delivered to the applicant
and to the Department of Environmental Protection within seven days
of the Board's decision. Copies of written decisions of the Zoning
Board of Appeals shall be given to the Planning Board, Code Enforcement
Officer, and the municipal officers.
5.
Appeal to Superior Court. Except as provided by 30-A M.R.S.A.
§ 2691(3)(F), any aggrieved party who participated as a
party during the proceedings before the Board of Appeals may take
an appeal to Superior Court in accordance with State laws within 45
days from the date of any decision of the Board of Appeals.
6.
Reconsideration. In accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2691(3)(F),
the Board of Appeals may reconsider any decision within 45 days of
its prior decision. A request to the Board to reconsider a decision
must be filed within 10 days of the decision that is being reconsidered.
A vote to reconsider and the action taken on that reconsideration
must occur and be completed within 45 days of the date of the vote
on the original decision. Reconsideration of a decision shall require
a positive vote of the majority of the Board members originally voting
on the decision, and proper notification to the landowner, petitioner,
Planning Board, Code Enforcement Officer, and other parties of interest,
including abuttors and those who testified at the original hearing(s).
The Board may conduct additional hearings and receive additional evidence
and testimony.
H. Enforcement.
1.
Nuisances. Any violation of this ordinance shall be deemed to
be a nuisance.
2.
Code Enforcement Officer.
a.
It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer to enforce
the provisions of this ordinance. If the Code Enforcement Officer
shall find that any provision of this ordinance is being violated,
he or she shall notify in writing the person responsible for such
violation, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the
action necessary to correct it, including discontinuance of illegal
use of land, buildings or structures, or work being done, removal
of illegal buildings or structures, and abatement of nuisance conditions.
A copy of such notices shall be submitted to the municipal officers
and be maintained as a permanent record.
b.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall conduct on-site inspections
to insure compliance with all applicable laws and conditions attached
to permit approvals. The Code Enforcement Officer shall also investigate
all complaints of alleged violations of this ordinance.
c.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall keep a complete record of
all essential transactions of the office, including applications submitted,
permits granted or denied, variances granted or denied, revocation
actions, revocation of permits, appeals, court actions, violations
investigated, violations found, and fees collected.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
3.
Legal actions. When the above action does not result in the
correction or abatement of the violation or nuisance condition, the
municipal officers, upon notice from the Code Enforcement Officer,
are hereby directed to institute any and all actions and proceedings,
either legal or equitable, including seeking injunctions of violations
and the imposition of fines, that may be appropriate or necessary
to enforce the provisions of this ordinance in the name of the municipality.
The municipal officers, or their authorized agent, are hereby authorized
to enter into administrative consent agreements for the purpose of
eliminating violations of this ordinance and recovering fines without
court action. Such agreements shall not allow an illegal structure
or use to continue unless there is clear and convincing evidence that
the illegal structure or use was constructed or conducted as a direct
result of erroneous advice given by an authorized municipal official
and there is no evidence that the owner acted in bad faith, or unless
the removal of the structure or use will result in a threat or hazard
to public health and safety or will result in substantial environmental
damage.
4.
Fines. Any person, including but not limited to a landowner's
agent or a contractor, who violates any provision or requirement of
this ordinance shall be penalized in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A.
§ 4452.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
[Ord. of 9-15-1998(4); Ord. No. 2002.103, 8-19-2003; Ord. No. 2008.79, 10-21-2008]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OR USE
A use or structure which is incidental and subordinate to
the principal use or structure. Accessory uses, when aggregated shall
not subordinate the principal use of the lot. A deck or similar extension
of the principal structure or a garage attached to the principal structure
by a roof or a common wall is considered part of the principal structure.
AGGRIEVED PARTY
An owner of land whose property is directly or indirectly
affected by the granting or denial of a permit or variance under this
ordinance; a person whose land abuts land for which a permit or variance
has been granted; or any other person or group of persons who have
suffered particularized injury as a result of the granting or denial
of such permit or variance.
AGRICULTURE
The production, keeping or maintenance, for sale or lease,
of plants or animals, including, but not limited to, forages and sod
crops, grains and seed crops, dairy animals and dairy products, poultry
and poultry products, livestock, fruits and vegetables, and ornamental
green house products. Agriculture does not include forest management
and timber harvesting activities.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
AQUACULTURE
The growing or propagation of harvestable freshwater, estuarine,
or marine plant or animal species.
BASAL AREA
The area of cross-section of a tree stem at 4 1/2 feet
above ground level and inclusive of bark.
BASEMENT
Any portion of a structure with a floor-to-ceiling height
of six feet or more and having more than 50% of its volume below the
existing ground level.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY
A facility designed primarily for the launching and landing
of watercraft, and which may include an access ramp, docking area,
and parking spaces for vehicles and trailers.
BUREAU OF FORESTRY
State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and
Forestry, Bureau of Forestry.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
CAMPGROUND
Any area or tract of land to accommodate two or more parties
in temporary living quarters for a fee, including, but not limited
to tents, recreational vehicles or other shelters.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
CANOPY
The more or less continuous cover formed by tree crowns in
a wooded area.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
CATEGORY 1 MULTIPLE USE NONMOTORIZED TRAIL
A public trail or a private trail open to the public, established
for walking, hiking, nonmotorized biking, snowshoeing, or cross-country
skiing, with a tread path no more than 12 feet in width (14 feet in
an urban area) and an overall width, including trail side-slopes,
of 20 feet or less. No motorized vehicles except electrically operated
bicycles, wheelchairs, and similar transportation-related equipment
used only by persons with disabilities, and vehicles necessary for
maintenance and emergency purposes are permitted (Planning Board permit
required).
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
CATEGORY 2 MULTIPLE-USE NONMOTORIZED TRAILS
A public trail, or a private trail open to the public, with
a tread path no more than five feet in width and an overall clearance
of seven feet wide, established for walking, hiking, nonmotorized
biking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. Electrically operated
bicycles, wheelchairs, and similar transportation-related equipment
used only by persons with disabilities are permitted (CEO, unless
setback waiver is necessary, in which case a permit is required from
the Planning Board).
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
CATEGORY 1 MULTIPLE USE TRAIL, INCLUDING MOTORIZED USES
A public trail or a private trail open to the public, with
a tread path no more than 12 feet wide (14 feet in an urban area),
and an overall clearance of 20 feet wide, established for recreational
vehicles, equestrian activities, mountain biking, hiking, ATVing,
off-road motorcycling, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
(Planning Board permit required).
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
CATEGORY 2 MULTIPLE USE TRAIL, INCLUDING MOTORIZED USES
A public trail, or a private trail open to the public, with
a tread path no more than five feet wide, and an overall clearance
of seven feet wide, established for recreational vehicles, equestrian
activities, mountain biking, hiking, ATVing, off-road motorcycling,
snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing (Planning Board
permit required).
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
COASTAL WETLAND
All tidal and subtidal lands all lands; with vegetation present
that is tolerant of salt water and occurs primarily in a salt water
or estuarine habitat; and any swamp, marsh, bog, beach, flat or other
contiguous low land that is subject to tidal action during the highest
tide level for the year in which an activity is proposed as identified
in tide tables generated by the National Ocean Service. Coastal wetlands
may include portions of coastal sand dunes and may consist of rocky
ledges, sand and cobble beach, mud flats, etc., in addition to salt
marshes and salt meadows. The Atlantic Ocean is a large coastal wetland.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
COMMERCIAL USE
The use of lands, buildings, or structures, other than a
"home occupation," defined below, the intent and result of which activity
is the production of income from the buying and selling of goods and/or
services, exclusive of rental of residential buildings and/or dwelling
units.
CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA
The cross-sectional area of a stream or tributary stream
channel is determined by multiplying the stream or tributary stream
channel width by the average stream or tributary stream channel depth.
The stream or tributary stream channel width is the straight line
distance from the normal high-water line on one side of the channel
to the normal high-water line on the opposite side of the channel.
The average stream or tributary stream channel depth is the average
of the vertical distances from a straight line between the normal
high-water lines of the stream or tributary stream channel to the
bottom of the channel.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
DBH
The diameter of a standing tree measured 4.5 feet from ground
level.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
DEVELOPMENT
A change in land use involving alteration of the land, water
or vegetation, or the addition or alteration of structures or other
construction not naturally occurring.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Numerical standards relating to spatial relationships including
but not limited to setback, lot area, shore frontage and height.
DISABILITY
Any disability, infirmity, malformation, disfigurement, congenital
defect or mental condition caused by bodily injury, accident, disease,
birth defect, environmental conditions or illness; and also includes
the physical or mental condition of a person which constitutes a substantial
handicap as determined by a physician or in the case of mental handicap,
by a psychiatrist or psychologist, as well as any other health or
sensory impairment which requires special education, vocational rehabilitation
or related services.
DISRUPTION OF SHORELINE INTEGRITY
The alteration of the physical shape, properties, or condition
of a shoreline at any location by timber harvesting and related activities.
A shoreline where shoreline integrity has been disrupted is recognized
by compacted, scarified and/or rutted soil, an abnormal channel or
shoreline cross-section, and in the case of flowing waters, a profile
and character altered from natural conditions.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
DRIVEWAY
A vehicular accessway less than 500 feet in length serving
no more than one lot.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
Operations conducted for the public health, safety or general
welfare, such as protection of resources from immediate destruction
or loss, law enforcement, and operations to rescue human beings, property
and livestock from the threat of destruction or injury.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Gas, electrical or communication facilities; steam, fuel,
electric power or water transmission or distribution lines, towers
and related equipment; telephone cables or lines, poles and related
equipment; gas, oil, water, slurry or other similar pipelines; municipal
sewage lines, collection or supply systems; and associated storage
tanks. Such systems may include towers, poles, wires, mains, drains,
pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarms and police call boxes, traffic
signals, hydrants and similar accessories, but shall not include service
drops, buildings which are necessary for the furnishing of essential
services, telecommunications facilities, or small wind energy systems.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
EXCAVATION CONTRACTOR
An individual or firm engaged in a business that causes the
disturbance of soil, including grading, filling and removal, or in
a business in which the disturbance of soil results from an activity
that the individual or firm is retained to perform.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
EXPANSION OF USE (FOR SHORELAND ZONING PURPOSES)
The addition of one or more months to a use's operating season;
or the use of more footprint of a structure or ground area devoted
to a particular use.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
FAMILY
One or more persons occupying a dwelling and living as a
single housekeeping unit.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and adjacent
land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the one-hundred-year
flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation
by more than one foot in height.
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the horizontal areas of the floor(s) of a structure
enclosed by exterior walls.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
FOOTPRINT
The entire area of ground covered by the structure(s) on
a lot, including but not limited to cantilevered or similar overhanging
extensions, as well as unenclosed structures, such as patios and decks.
[Added 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009.73; amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Timber cruising and other forest resource evaluation activities,
pesticide or fertilizer application, management planning activities,
timber stand improvement, pruning, regeneration of forest stands,
and other similar or associated activities, exclusive of timber harvesting
and the construction, creation or maintenance of roads.
FORESTED WETLAND
A freshwater wetland dominated by woody vegetation that is
six meters tall (approximately 20 feet) or taller.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
FOREST STAND
A contiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform in age class
distribution, composition, and structure, and growing on a site of
sufficiently uniform quality, to be a distinguishable unit.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
FOUNDATION
The supporting substructure of a building or other structure,
excluding wooden sills and post supports, but including basements,
slabs, frostwalls, or other bases consisting of concrete, block, brick
or similar material.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
FRESHWATER WETLAND
Freshwater swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas, other
than forested wetlands, which are:
1.
Of 10 or more contiguous acres; or of less than 10 contiguous
acres and adjacent to a surface water body, excluding any river, stream
or brook, such that in a natural state, the combined surface area
is in excess of 10 acres; and
2.
Inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency
and for a duration sufficient to support, and which under normal circumstances
do support, a prevalence of wetland vegetation typically adapted for
life in saturated soils.
Freshwater wetlands may contain small stream channels or inclusions
of land that do not conform to the criteria of this definition.
|
FUNCTIONALLY WATER-DEPENDENT USES
Those uses that require, for their primary purpose, location
on submerged lands or that require direct access to, or location in,
coastal and inland waters and which cannot be located away from these
waters. The uses include, but are not limited to commercial and recreational
fishing and boating facilities, finfish and shellfish processing,
fish-related storage and retail and wholesale fish marketing facilities,
waterfront dock and port facilities, shipyards and boat building facilities,
marinas, navigation aids, basins and channels, shoreline structures
necessary for erosion control purposes, industrial uses dependent
upon waterborne transportation or requiring large volumes of cooling
or processing water and which cannot reasonably be located or operated
at an inland site, and uses which primarily provide general public
access to coastal or inland waters. Recreational boat storage buildings
are not considered to be a functionally water-dependant use.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
GREAT POND
Any inland body of water which in a natural state has a surface
area in excess of 10 acres, and any inland body of water artificially
formed or increased which has a surface area in excess of 30 acres
except for the purposes of this ordinance, where the artificially
formed or increased inland body of water is completely surrounded
by land held by a single owner.
GREAT POND CLASSIFIED GPA
Any great pond classified GPA, pursuant to 38 M.R.S.A. Article
4-A, § 465-A. This classification includes some, but not
all impoundments of rivers that are defined as great ponds.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
GROUND COVER
Small plants, fallen leaves, needles and twigs, and the partially
decayed organic matter of the forest floor.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
HARVEST AREA
The area where timber harvesting and related activities,
including the cutting of trees, skidding, yarding, and associated
road construction take place. The area affected by a harvest encompasses
the area within the outer boundaries of these activities, excepting
unharvested areas greater than 10 acres within the area affected by
a harvest.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
HAZARD TREE
A tree with a structural defect, combination of defects,
or disease resulting in a structural defect that under the normal
range of environmental conditions at the site exhibits a high probability
of failure and loss of a major structural component of the tree in
a manner that will strike a target. A normal range of environmental
conditions does not include meteorological anomalies, such as, but
not limited to: hurricanes; hurricane-force winds; tornados; microbursts;
or significant ice storm events. Hazard trees also include those
trees that pose a serious and imminent risk to bank stability. A
target is the area where personal injury or property damage could
occur if the tree or a portion of the tree fails. Targets include
roads, driveways, parking areas, structures, campsites, and any other
developed area where people frequently gather and linger.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
HEIGHT OF A STRUCTURE
The vertical distance between the mean original (prior to
construction) grade at the downhill side of the structure and the
highest point of the structure, excluding chimneys, steeples, antennas,
and similar appurtenances that have no floor area.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation or profession which is customarily conducted
on or in a residential structure or property and which is 1) clearly
incidental to and compatible with the residential use of the property
and surrounding residential uses; and 2) which employs no more than
two persons other than family members residing in the home.
INCREASE IN NONCONFORMITY OF A STRUCTURE AS RELATED TO SHORELAND
ZONING (SECTION 12 OF THIS ORDINANCE)
Any change in a structure or property which causes further
deviation from the dimensional standard(s) creating the nonconformity,
such as, but not limited to, reduction in water body, tributary stream
or wetland setback distance, increase in lot coverage, or increase
in height of a structure. Property changes or structure expansions
which either meet the dimensional standard or which cause no further
increase in the linear extent of nonconformance of the existing structure
shall not be considered to increase nonconformity. For example, there
is no increase in nonconformity with the setback requirement for water
bodies, wetlands, or tributary streams if the expansion extends no
further into the required setback area than does any portion of the
existing nonconforming structure. Hence, a structure may be expanded
laterally, provided that the expansion extends no closer to the water
body, tributary stream, or wetland than the closest portion of the
existing structure from that water body, tributary stream, or wetland.
Included in this allowance are expansions which in-fill irregularly
shaped structures.
[Added 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009.73; amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98]
INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE CAMPSITE
An area of land which is not associated with a campground,
but which is developed for repeated camping by only one group not
to exceed 10 individuals and which involves site improvements which
may include but not be limited to gravel pads, parking areas, fire
places, or tent platforms.
INDUSTRIAL
The assembling, fabrication, finishing, manufacturing, packaging
or processing of goods, or the extraction of minerals.
INSTITUTIONAL
A nonprofit or quasipublic use, or institution, such as a
church, library, public or private school, hospital, or municipally
owned or operated building, structure or land used for public purposes.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
LAND MANAGEMENT ROAD
A route or track consisting of a bed of exposed mineral soil,
gravel, or other surfacing materials constructed for, or created by,
the passage of motorized vehicles and used primarily for timber harvesting
and related activities, including associated log yards, but not including
skid trails or skid roads.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
LICENSED FORESTER
A forester licensed under 32 M.R.S.A. Chapter 76.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
LOT AREA
The area of land enclosed within the boundary lines of a
lot, minus land below the normal high-water line of a water body or
upland edge of a wetland and areas beneath roads serving more than
two lots.
MARINA
A business establishment having frontage on navigable water
and, as its principal use, providing for hire offshore moorings or
docking facilities for boats, and which may also provide accessory
services such as boat and related sales, boat repair and construction,
indoor and outdoor storage of boats and marine equipment, bait and
tackle shops and marine fuel service facilities.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
MARKET VALUE
The estimated price a property will bring in the open market
and under prevailing market conditions in a sale between a willing
seller and a willing buyer, both conversant with the property and
with prevailing general price levels.
MINERAL EXPLORATION
Hand sampling, test boring, or other methods of determining
the nature or extent of mineral resources which create minimal disturbance
to the land and which include reasonable measures to restore the land
to its original condition.
MINERAL EXTRACTION
Any operation within any twelve-month period which removes
more than 100 cubic yards of soil, topsoil, loam, sand, gravel, clay,
rock, peat, or other like material from its natural location and to
transport the product removed, away from the extraction site.
MINIMUM LOT WIDTH
The closest distance between the side lot lines of a lot.
When only two lot lines extend into the Shoreland Zone, both lot lines
shall be considered to be side lot lines.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
NATIVE
Indigenous to the local forests.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
NONCONFORMING CONDITION
A nonconforming lot, structure or use which is allowed solely
because it was in lawful existence at the time this ordinance or subsequent
amendment took effect.
[Added 9-17-2009 by Ord. No. 2009.73; amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No.
2009.98]
NONCONFORMING LOT
A single lot of record which, at the effective date of adoption
or amendment of this ordinance, does not meet the area, frontage,
or width requirements of the district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure which does not meet any one or more of the following
dimensional requirements: setback, height, lot coverage, or footprint,
but which is allowed solely because it was in lawful existence at
the time this ordinance or subsequent amendments took effect.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
NONCONFORMING USE
Use of buildings, structures, premises, land or parts thereof
which is not allowed in the district in which it is situated, but
which is allowed to remain solely because it was in lawful existence
at the time this ordinance or subsequent amendments took effect.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
NON-NATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES OF VEGETATION
A species of vegetation listed by the Maine Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as being invasive in Maine
ecosystems and not native to Maine ecosystems.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
NORMAL HIGH-WATER LINE (NONTIDAL WATERS)
That line which is apparent from visible markings, changes
in the character of soils due to prolonged action of the water or
changes in vegetation, and which distinguishes between predominantly
aquatic and predominantly terrestrial land. Areas contiguous with
rivers and great ponds that support nonforested wetland vegetation
and hydric soils and that are at the same or lower elevation as the
water level of the river or great pond during the period of normal
high water are considered part of the river or great pond.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
OUTLET STREAM
Any perennial or intermittent stream, as shown on the most
recent, highest resolution version of the national hydrography data
set available from the United States Geological Survey on the website
of the United States Geological Survey or the national map, that flows
from a freshwater wetland.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
PERSON
An individual, corporation, governmental agency, municipality,
trust, estate, partnership, association, two or more individuals having
a joint or common interest, or other legal entity.
PRIMITIVE TRAIL
A public or private path or trail, with a tread path no more
than three feet in width and an overall clearance of four feet in
width, established for walking, hiking, nonmotorized biking purposes,
snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing (CEO permit required).
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE
A structure other than one which is used for purposes wholly
incidental or accessory to the use of another structure or use on
the same lot.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
PRINCIPAL USE
A use other than one which is wholly incidental or accessory
to another use on the same lot.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
PUBLIC FACILITY
Any facility, including, but not limited to, buildings, property,
recreation areas, and roads, which are owned, leased, or otherwise
operated, or funded by a governmental body or public entity.
RECENT FLOODPLAIN SOILS
The following soil series as described and identified by
the National Cooperative Soil Survey: Fryeburg, Hadley, Limerick,
Lovewell, Medomak, Ondawa, Alluvial, Cornish, Charles, Podunk, Rumney,
Saco, Suncook, Sunday, Winooski.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
RECREATIONAL FACILITY
A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports,
leisure time activities, and other customary and usual recreational
activities, excluding boat launching facilities.
RECREATIONAL TRAIL
A thoroughfare or way across land or snow, used primarily
for recreational purposes including, but not limited to, such uses
as bicycling, Nordic (cross-country) skiing, day hiking, equestrian
activities, jogging or similar fitness activities, trail biking, overnight
and long-distance backpacking, roller skating, in-line skating, dog
sledding, running, snowmobiling, canoe and kayak portaging, and vehicular
travel by motorcycle, four-wheel drive or all-terrain, off-road vehicles.
Recreational trail use may be limited to foot, horse, or other nonmotorized
means of transportation or motorized means of transportation or a
combination of any of them. Recreational trails include primitive
trails, multiple-use nonmotorized trails, and multiple-use trails,
including motorized uses. A recreational trail is not a structure.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A vehicle or an attachment to a vehicle designed to be towed,
and designed for temporary sleeping or living quarters for one or
more persons, and which may include a pick-up camper travel trailer,
tent trailer, camp trailer, and motor home. In order to be considered
as a vehicle and not as a structure, the unit must remain with its
tires on the ground, and must be registered with the State Division
of Motor Vehicles.
REPLACEMENT SYSTEM
A system intended to replace —
1.
An existing system which is either malfunctioning or being upgraded
with no significant change of design flow or use of the structure;
or
2.
Any existing overboard wastewater discharge.
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT
A room or group of rooms designed and equipped exclusively
for use as permanent, seasonal, or temporary living quarters for only
one family at a time, and containing cooking, sleeping and toilet
facilities. The term shall include mobile homes and rental units that
contain cooking, sleeping and toilet facilities regardless of the
time-period rented. Recreational vehicles are not residential dwelling
units.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
RESIDUAL BASAL AREA
The average of the basal area of trees remaining on a harvested
site.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
RESIDUAL STAND
A stand of trees remaining in the forest following timber
harvesting and related activities.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
RIPRAP
Rocks, irregularly shaped, and at least six inches in diameter,
used for erosion control and soil stabilization, typically used on
ground slopes of two units horizontal to one unit vertical or less.
[Amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
RIVER
A free-flowing body of water including its associated floodplain
wetlands from that point at which it provides drainage for a watershed
of 25 square miles to its mouth.
ROAD
A route or track consisting of a bed of exposed mineral soil,
gravel, asphalt, or other surfacing material constructed for or created
by the repeated passage of motorized vehicles, excluding a driveway
as defined.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SALT MARSH
Areas of coastal wetlands (most often along coastal bays)
that support salt tolerant species, and where at average high tide
during the growing season, the soil is irregularly inundated by tidal
waters. The predominant species is salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina
alterniflora). More open areas often support widgeon grass, eelgrass,
and Sago pondweed.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SALT MEADOW
Areas of a coastal wetland that support salt tolerant plant
species bordering the landward side of salt marshes or open coastal
water, where the soil is saturated during the growing season but which
is rarely inundated by tidal water. Indigenous plant species include
salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) and black rush; common three
square occurs in fresher areas.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SAPLING
A tree species that is less than two inches in diameter
at 4.5 feet above ground level.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
SEEDLING
A young tree species that is less than 4.5 feet in height
above ground level.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
SERVICE CORRIDORS
Rights-of-way, easements, or land in public or private ownership,
for the location of Essential Services.
SERVICE DROP
Any utility line extension which does not cross or run beneath
any portion of a water body provided that:
1.
In the case of electric service:
a.
The placement of wires and/or the installation of utility poles
is located entirely upon the premises of the customer requesting service
or upon a roadway right-of-way; and
b.
The total length of the extension is less than 1,000 feet.
2.
In the case of telephone service:
a.
The extension, regardless of length, will be made by the installation
of telephone wires to existing utility poles; or
b.
The extension requiring the installation of new utility poles
or placement underground is less than 1,000 feet in length.
SETBACK
The nearest horizontal distance from the normal high-water
line of a water body or tributary stream, or upland edge of a wetland,
to the nearest part of a structure, road, parking space or other regulated
object or area.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SHORE FRONTAGE
The length of a lot bordering on a water body or wetland
measured in a straight line between the intersections of the lot lines
with the shoreline.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SHORELAND ZONE
The land area located within 250 feet, horizontal distance,
of the normal high-water line of any great pond or river; within 250
feet, horizontal distance, of the upland edge of a coastal wetland,
including all areas affected by tidal action; within 250 feet of the
upland edge of a freshwater wetland; within 250 feet, horizontal distance,
of the normal high-water line of Swan Pond Brook, and its tributaries
specifically depicted on the Official Zoning Map; or within 100 feet,
horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of a stream.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SHORELINE
The normal high-water line, or upland edge of a freshwater
or coastal wetland.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SKID ROAD or SKID TRAIL
A route repeatedly used by forwarding machinery or animal
to haul or drag forest products from the stump to the yard or landing,
the construction of which requires minimal excavation.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SLASH
The residue, e.g., treetops and branches, left on the ground
after a timber harvest.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
STORM-DAMAGED TREE
A tree that has been uprooted, blown down, is lying on the
ground, or that remains standing and is damaged beyond the point of
recovery as the result of a storm event.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
STREAM
A free-flowing body of water from the outlet of a great
pond or the confluence of two perennial streams as depicted on the
most recent, highest resolution version of the national hydrography
data set available from the United States Geological Survey on the
website of the United States Geological Survey or the national map
to the point where the stream becomes a river or where the stream
meets the shoreland zone of another water body or wetland. In addition,
for the purposes of this ordinance, a stream is also as depicted within
an SP District on the Official Zoning Map of the City of Biddeford.
When a stream meets the shoreland zone of a water body or wetland
and a channel forms downstream of the water body or wetland as an
outlet, that channel is also a stream.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
STRUCTURE
Anything temporarily or permanently located, built, constructed or erected for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, goods or property of any kind, or anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on or in the ground. The term includes structures temporarily or permanently located, such as decks, patios, and satellite dishes. Structure does not include fences; poles and wiring and other aerial equipment normally associated with service drops, including guy wires and guy anchors; subsurface wastewater disposal systems as defined in 30-A M.R.S.A. § 4201, Subsection
5; geothermal heat exchange wells as defined in 32 M.R.S.A. § 4700-E, Subsection
3-C; or wells or water wells as defined in 32 M.R.S.A. § 4700-E, Subsection
8.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
SUBSTANTIAL START
Completion of 30% of a permitted structure or use measured
as a percentage of estimated total cost.
SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Any system designed to dispose of waste or wastewater on
or beneath the surface of the earth; includes, but is not limited
to: septic tanks; disposal fields; grandfathered cesspools; holding
tanks; pretreatment filter, piping, or any other fixture, mechanism,
or apparatus used for those purposes; does not include any discharge
system licensed under 38 M.R.S.A. § 414, any surface wastewater
disposal system, or any municipal or quasimunicipal sewer or wastewater
treatment system.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
SUSTAINED SLOPE
A change in elevation where the referenced percent grade
is substantially maintained or exceeded throughout the measured area.
TIDAL WATERS
All waters affected by tidal action during the highest annual
tide.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; amended 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
TIMBER HARVESTING
The cutting and removal of timber for the primary purpose
of selling or processing forest products. Timber harvesting does not
include the cutting or removal of vegetation within the Shoreland
Zone when associated with any other land use activities. The cutting
or removal of trees in the Shoreland Zone on a lot that has less than
two acres within the Shoreland Zone shall not be considered timber
harvesting. Such cutting or removal of trees shall be regulated pursuant
to Section 15P, Clearing or removal of vegetation for activities other
than timber harvesting.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98; 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
TIMBER HARVESTING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Timber harvesting, the construction and maintenance of roads
used primarily for timber harvesting and other activities conducted
to facilitate timber harvesting.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
TRAIL SPUR
A pathway, extending toward the shoreline from a primary
nonmotorized trail. Such pathways shall extend, generally, perpendicular
from the primary trail but shall be constructed as a winding pathway.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
TREE
A woody perennial plant with a well-defined trunk(s) at least
two inches in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground, with a more or
less definite crown, and reaching a height of at least 10 feet at
maturity.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016.69]
TRIBUTARY STREAM
A channel between defined banks created by the action of
surface water, which is characterized by the lack of terrestrial vegetation
or by the presence of a bed, devoid of topsoil, containing waterborne
deposits or exposed soil, parent material or bedrock; and which is
connected hydrologically with other water bodies. "Tributary stream"
does not include rills or gullies forming because of accelerated erosion
in disturbed soils where the natural vegetation cover has been removed
by human activity. This definition does not include the term "stream"
as defined elsewhere in this ordinance, and only applies to that portion
of the tributary stream located within the Shoreland Zone of the receiving
water body or wetland.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
UPLAND EDGE OF A WETLAND
The boundary between upland and wetland. For purposes of
a coastal wetland, this boundary is the line formed by the landward
limits of the salt-tolerant vegetation and/or the highest annual tide
level, including all areas affected by tidal action. In the event
that it is not possible to determine the upland edge in the above
manner, this elevation shall be measured relative to NAVD 88. Current
tidal benchmarks and tidal datum information shall be obtained from
the data developed by the National Ocean Service (NOS). As of 2016,
the highest annual tide elevation is 7.4 feet above NAVD 88, and will
be the figure used to determine setback. When used as a reference
for setback, all benchmark data, locations, calculations, delineation,
and posting highest annual tide elevation must be presented to the
Code Enforcement Officer for review and approval. For purposes of
a freshwater wetland, the upland edge is formed where the soils are
not saturated for a duration sufficient to support wetland vegetation;
or where the soils support the growth of wetland vegetation, but such
vegetation is dominated by woody stems that are six meters (approximately
20 feet) tall or taller.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.9810-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.69]
VEGETATION
All live trees, shrubs, and other plants, including without
limitation, trees both over and under four inches in diameter, measured
at 4 1/2 above ground level.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
VELOCITY ZONE
An area of special flood hazard extending from offshore to
the inland limit of the primary frontal dune along an open coast and
any other area subject to high velocity wave action from storms or
seismic sources.
VOLUME OF A STRUCTURE
The volume of all portions of a structure enclosed by roof
and fixed exterior walls as measured from the exterior faces of these
walls and roof.
WATER BODY
Any great pond, river, or stream.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
WATER CROSSING
Any project extending from one bank to the opposite bank
of a river, stream, tributary stream, or wetland whether under, through,
or over the water or wetland. Such projects include, but may not be
limited to, roads, fords, bridges, culverts, water lines, sewer lines,
and cables as well as maintenance work on these crossings. This definition
includes crossings for timber harvesting equipment and related activities.
[Amended 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
WETLAND
A freshwater or coastal wetland.
WINDFIRM
The ability of a forest stand to withstand strong winds and
resist windthrow, wind rocking, and major breakage.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]
WOODY VEGETATION
Live trees or woody, nonherbaceous shrubs.
[Added 2-2-2010 by Ord. No. 2009.98]