The purpose of the sketch plan meeting and on-site inspection is for the applicant to present general information regarding the proposed subdivision to the Board and receive the Board's comments prior to the expenditure of substantial sums of money on surveying, soils identification, and engineering by the applicant.
A.
The applicant shall present the sketch plan and make a verbal presentation regarding the site and the proposed subdivision.
B.
Following the applicant's presentation, the Board may ask questions and make suggestions to be incorporated by the applicant into the subsequent application.
C.
The Planning Board shall set the date of the on-site inspection as part of the sketch review process.
[Amended 11-3-2020 STM by Art. 3]
[Amended 11-3-2020 STM by Art. 3]
Fifteen copies of the sketch plan and all supporting materials must be submitted 14 days prior to a regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting, in order to be placed on the Board's agenda. The sketch plan shall show, in simple sketch form, the proposed layout of streets, lots and other features in relation to existing conditions. The sketch plan, which does not have to be engineered, shall show site conditions such as steep slopes, wet areas and vegetative cover in a general manner. The sketch plan shall be supplemented with a written project narrative, with general information to describe or outline the existing conditions of the site and a full description of the proposed development. The narrative should include general proposals for how any common areas and infrastructure will be managed and maintained. It is recommended that the sketch plan be superimposed on or accompanied by a copy of the Assessor's Tax Map(s) on which the land is located.
A.
The sketch plan shall be accompanied by:
(1)
A copy of a portion of the USGS topographic map of the area showing the outline of the proposed subdivision;
(2)
A copy of that portion of the county soil survey covering the proposed subdivision, showing the outline of the proposed development; and
(3)
A completed sketch plan application form and a fee to be set by the Select Board.
B.
In addition, the applicant shall pay a fee of $1,500 to be deposited in a special account designated for that subdivision application, to be used by the Board for hiring independent consulting services to review the application. If the balance in this special account is drawn down by 75%, the Board shall notify the applicant and require that an additional $750 be deposited by the applicant. The Board shall continue to notify the applicant and require an additional $750 be deposited as necessary whenever the balance of the account is drawn down by 75% of the original deposit. Any balance in the account remaining after a decision on the final plan application by the Board shall be returned to the applicant.
[Amended 11-3-2020 STM by Art. 3]
Within 30 days of the sketch plan meeting, the Board shall hold an on-site inspection of the property. The applicant shall place flagging at the center line of any proposed streets or drives, and at the approximate intersections of the street center lines and lot corners, prior to the on-site inspection. If the proposed project includes buildings, the approximate corners of building footprints shall be flagged. The Board may choose not to conduct on-site inspections when there is inclement weather or snow on the ground. On-site inspections shall be noticed as required by 1 M.R.S.A. §§ 401 to 410, and the public shall be allowed to accompany the Board. Minutes shall be taken in the same manner as for regular meetings.
[Amended 11-3-2020 STM by Art. 3]
At its next meeting following the on-site inspection, the Board should discuss the inspection and note various conditions or features found. If the Board finds the sketch plan acceptable, it should then give any general guidance to the applicant regarding the future submittal of a preliminary plan application. If the Board finds the sketch plan unacceptable, it should indicate its decision to the applicant in writing, and the applicant shall be required to submit a new, modified sketch plan application if it wishes to proceed with the proposed project.
The sketch plan meeting, the submittal or review of the sketch plan or the on-site inspection shall not be considered the initiation of the review process for the purposes of bringing the plan under the protection of 1 M.R.S.A. § 302.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 5.7 of the 1980 Code, Establishment of File, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 11-3-2020 STM by Art. 3.