This article shall be administered by the Planning Director,
except that the Code Enforcement Officer shall be responsible for
enforcement.
The purpose of this article is to establish procedures and standards
to enable the City to review applications for the development of nonresidential
and multifamily residential uses.
[Amended 3-7-2017 by Order
No. 17-31.07; 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
A. Site plan approval shall be required for any of the following:
(1)
The construction of any new building or structure or the expansion
of an existing building or structure for any use identified in this
chapter as permitted, permitted with site plan review, or conditional.
(2)
The establishment of a use identified as permitted with site
plan review or conditional that does not involve a building or structure.
(3)
The construction or expansion of a ground-mounted commercial
solar system or utility solar system.
[Amended 4-7-2020 by Order No. 19-772-01]
(4)
Existing buildings:
(a)
The change in use of an existing building from a use that is
permitted with site plan review or conditional to another use that
is permitted with site plan review or conditional, but only if one
(1) or both of the following are met:
[1] The new use requires fifteen percent (15%) or more
off-street parking in accordance with this chapter than the previous
use; or
[2] Changes in site development are proposed, including
but not limited to into and through the site, layout and location
of parking, or provisions for stormwater drainage, lighting, or buffering
of adjacent uses.
(b)
A change in occupancy of an existing building or use that replaces
a use that is permitted with site plan review or conditional with
another use that is permitted with site plan review or conditional
that does not increase the parking requirement more than fifteen percent
(15%) or result in changes to site development shall not require site
plan review.
(5)
The construction or expansion of parking areas to serve a use
that is permitted with site plan review or conditional involving an
area of more than two-thousand (2,000) square feet in any three (3)-year
period.
(6)
The creation of a private way.
B. This section does not apply to the construction or modification of
single-family or two-family homes, the placement of manufactured housing
on individual lots, agriculture, forest management and timber harvesting
activities, or any permitted use identified in this chapter.
C. No land, building, or structure shall be used or occupied and no
building permit, sign permit, plumbing permit, or certificate of occupancy
shall be issued for a development within the scope of this chapter
unless and until a final plan of the development has been approved
in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
Projects subject to site plan review shall be divided into two
(2) classes: major developments and minor developments.
A. Major development. A major development shall be any project which
requires site plan approval and which meets any one (1) of the following
criteria. In addition, the Site Plan Review Committee may, by formal
vote, reclassify a minor development to a major development if it
finds, because of the scale or complexity of the proposal, that it
has implications similar to projects defined as major developments,
except that the establishment of a child care center or nursery school
for thirteen (13) or more children and/or an adult day services center
for thirteen (13) or more clients shall be classified as a major development.
[Amended 8-21-2018 by Order No. 18-348-01]
(1)
Involves the construction of more than thirty-thousand (30,000)
square feet of gross floor area.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(2)
Involves the creation of ten (10) or more dwelling units.
(3)
Is designated as a conditional use in this chapter.
(4)
Involves the establishment or the construction or expansion
of a building or structure for any of the following categories of
uses as set forth in the Table of Land Uses. An expansion of a building or structure for any of these
uses involving the creation of two-thousand (2,000) square feet or
more of gross floor area shall be classified as a major development.
Projects involving an expansion of less than two-thousand (2,000)
square feet shall be classified as a minor development.
(a)
The keeping of pigs, chickens, and fowl for commercial purposes,
except in the Rural Residential or Rural Mixed Use Zones.
(c)
The reuse of existing agricultural buildings for nonagricultural
purposes.
(d)
Mobile home park.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(e)
Expansion of existing mobile home park.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(f)
Convalescent, rest, or nursing home.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(g)
Boarding or congregate care facility.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(h)
Child-care centers or nursery school for thirteen (13) or more
children and/or adult day services center for thirteen (13) or more
clients.
(i)
Private school and college.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(j)
Nonprofit club and lodge.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(k)
Fully enclosed place, of recreation.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(l)
Campground.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(m)
Drinking place.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(n)
Drive-through eating place.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(o)
Unenclosed storage of unregistered cars, junk cars, or junked
car parts.
(p)
Petroleum product storage.
(q)
Church.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(r)
Nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary.
(5)
An amendment of a previously approved site plan for a major
development involving the construction of five-thousand (5,000) square
feet or more of gross floor area.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(6)
Involves the construction or expansion of more than thirty-thousand
(30,000) square feet of a ground-mounted commercial solar system in
the Rural Residential (RR) or Residential Development Overlay (RDO)
Zones or a utility solar system.
[Added 3-7-2017 by Order
No. 17-31.07; amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01; 4-7-2020 by Order No. 19-772-01; 11-23-2021 by Order No. 21-494-01]
B. Minor development. Any project which requires site plan approval
and is not classified as a major development shall be a minor development.
[Amended 3-7-2017 by Order
No. 17-31.07; 5-7-2019 by Order No. 19-258-01]
(1)
Minor development. Any project which requires site plan approval
and is not classified as a major development shall be a minor development
in one of the following five (5) categories:
(2)
Uses permitted with site plan review in the Table of Land Uses.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(4)
Staff review.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(b)
Code Enforcement Officer.
C. Design standards. Any development on a lot that is located in the
Sanford Downtown or Springvale Village Design District Overlay Zones
shall require review by and a recommendation to the designated reviewing
committee or staff.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01; 9-20-2022 by Order No. 22-440-01]
The following criteria shall be used by the Site Plan Review
Committee and the Planning Board in reviewing applications for site
plan review and shall serve as minimum requirements for approval of
the application. The application shall be approved unless the Site
Plan Review Committee or the Planning Board determines that the applicant
has failed to meet one (1) or more of these standards. In all instances,
the burden of proof shall be on the applicant, and such burden of
proof shall include the production of evidence sufficient to warrant
a finding that all applicable criteria have been met.
A. Utilization of the site. The plan for the development shall reflect
the natural capabilities of the site to support development. Buildings,
lots, and support facilities shall be clustered in those portions
of the site that have the most suitable conditions for development.
Environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands, steep slopes, floodplains
and unique natural features, shall be maintained and preserved to
the maximum extent. Natural drainage areas shall be preserved to the
maximum extent.
B. Access to the site. Vehicular access to the site shall be on roads
which have adequate capacity to accommodate the additional traffic
generated by the development. For developments which generate one-hundred
(100) or more peak-hour trips based on the latest edition of the Trip
Generation Manual of the Institute of Traffic Engineers, intersections
on major access routes to the site within one (1) mile of any entrance
road which are functioning at a Level of Service of C or better prior
to the development shall function at a minimum of Level of Service
C after development. If any intersection is functioning at a Level
of Service D or lower prior to the development, the project shall
not reduce the current level of service. The Planning Board or Site
Plan Review Committee may approve a development not meeting this requirement
if the applicant demonstrates that:
(1)
A public agency has committed funds to construct the improvements
necessary to bring the level of access to this standard; or
(2)
The applicant shall assume financial responsibility for the
improvements necessary to bring the level of service to this standard
and shall assure the completion of the improvements with a financial
guaranty acceptable to the City.
C. Access into the site. Vehicular access into the development shall
provide for safe and convenient access.
(1)
Any exit driveway or proposed street shall be designed so as
to provide minimum sight distance to meet the Maine Department of
Transportation standards.
(2)
Points of access shall be located to avoid hazardous conflicts
with existing turning movements and traffic flows.
(3)
The grade of any proposed drive or street shall be not more
than three percent (3%) for a minimum of two (2) car lengths or forty
(40) feet from the intersection.
(4)
The intersection of any access drive or proposed street shall
function at a Level of Service C following development if the project
will generate one-thousand (1,000) or more vehicle trips per twenty-four
(24) hour period or at a level which shall allow safe access into
and out of the project if fewer than one-thousand (1,000) trips are
generated.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
D. Internal vehicular circulation. The layout of the site shall provide
for the safe movement of passenger, service and emergency vehicles
through the site.
(1)
Nonresidential projects shall provide a clear route for delivery
vehicles with appropriate geometric design to allow turning and backing
for a minimum of WB-50 vehicles.
(2)
Clear routes of access shall be provided and maintained for
emergency vehicles to and around all buildings and will be posted
with appropriate signage marked fire lane - no parking.
(3)
The layout and design of parking areas shall provide for safe
and convenient circulation of vehicles throughout the lot and shall
prohibit vehicles from backing out onto a street.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(4)
All roadways shall be designed to harmonize with the topographic
and natural features of the site. The road network shall provide for
vehicular and pedestrian safety, all-season emergency access, snow
storage, and delivery and collection services.
E. Pedestrian circulation. The development plan shall provide for pedestrian
circulation within the development. If the project is located in an
area where sidewalks exist or are located within one-thousand (1,000)
feet of the site, provisions shall be made for connection to the existing
sidewalk system.
F. Stormwater management. Adequate provisions shall be made for the
disposal of all stormwater collected from proposed streets, parking
areas, roofs, and other surfaces through a stormwater drainage system
and maintenance plan which shall not have adverse impacts on abutting
or downstream properties.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(1)
To the extent possible, the plan shall detain stormwater on
the land at the site of development and do so through the use of the
natural features of the site.
(2)
For major developments, stormwater runoff systems shall detain
or retain water falling from the site such that the rate of flow from
the site does not exceed the predevelopment rate, unless the development
site is adjacent and discharges to a surface water body and detention
of water on the site will compound peak flows in the water body and
aggravate flooding.
(3)
The applicant shall demonstrate that downstream channel or system
capacity is sufficient to carry the flow without adverse effects or
shall be responsible for the improvements to provide the required
increase in capacity.
(4)
All natural drainageways shall be preserved at their natural
gradients and shall not be filled or converted to a closed system
except as approved by the Site Plan Review Committee or Planning Board
and appropriate state agencies, if required.
(5)
The design of stormwater drainage systems shall provide for
the disposal of stormwater without damage to streets, adjacent properties,
or downstream properties.
(6)
The design of the storm drainage systems shall be fully cognizant
of upstream runoff which shall pass over or through the site to be
developed.
(7)
The biological and chemical properties of the receiving waters
shall not be degraded by the stormwater runoff from the development
site. The use of oil and grease traps in manholes, on-site vegetated
waterways, reduction in use of deicing salts and fertilizers, rain
gardens and other techniques to reduce phosphorus and protect water
quality may be required, especially where the development stormwater
discharges into a gravel aquifer area, water supply source, or watershed
overlay district.
G. Erosion control.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(1)
For all projects, building, site designs, and roadway layout
shall fit and use existing topography and desirable natural surroundings
to the fullest extent possible. Filling, excavation, and earthmoving
activity shall be kept to a minimum. Parking lots on sloped areas
shall be terraced to avoid undue cut and fill and the need for retaining
walls. Natural vegetation shall be preserved and protected wherever
possible.
(2)
During construction of major developments, soil erosion and
sedimentation of watercourses and water bodies shall be minimized
by an active program meeting the requirements of the York County Soil
and Water Conservation District's best management practices. Erosion
control devices shall be installed prior to the start of construction
or land disturbance. Erosion control devices shall be inspected prior
to and after major storm events and shall be maintained until land
surfaces are permanently stabilized. Special care with maintenance
is required prior to and over the winter and spring melt seasons.
Three (3) notification by the Code Enforcement Officer about failure
to install or maintain erosion control devices shall result in the
requirement that the property owner submit a performance guarantee
to cover costs associated with erosion control and permanent stabilization
of the site and may result in revocation of a building permit or delay
in receipt of an occupancy permit, at the sole discretion of the Code
Enforcement Officer.
H. Water supply.
(1)
The development shall be provided with a system of water supply
that provides each use with an adequate supply of drinking water.
(2)
If the project will be served by the Water District, the applicant
has secured, in writing, a statement from the Water District that
the proposed water supply system conforms to its design and construction
standards, will not result in an undue burden on the source or distribution
system, and will be installed in a manner adequate to serve domestic
water and fire protection needs.
I. Sewage disposal.
(1)
A sanitary sewer system shall be installed at the expense of
the developer if the project is located within a sewer service area
as defined by the Sewerage District. The Site Plan Review Committee
or Planning Board may allow individual subsurface waste disposal systems
to be used where service is not available, except in the Residential
Development Zone (RD).
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(a)
Upstream sewage flows shall be accommodated by an adequately
sized system through the proposed development for existing conditions
and potential development in the upstream area or areas tributary
to the proposed development.
(b)
All components of sanitary sewerage facilities that connect
to the Sewerage District's system shall be designed by a professional
engineer, registered in the State of Maine, and shall be tested in
full compliance with the design specifications and construction practices
as established by the District. The construction of sewer lines shall
include the construction of laterals to the property line of each
lot where individual lots are created.
(c)
All individual and community on-site systems shall be designed
in full compliance with the Maine State Plumbing Code (May 1, 1995,
edition), as amended. Upon the recommendation of the Local Plumbing
Inspector, the Site Plan Review Committee or Planning Board may require
the location of reserve areas for replacement systems.
(2)
If the project will be served by the Sewerage District, the
applicant shall secure, in writing, a statement from the Sewerage
District that the proposed sewerage system conforms to its design
specifications and construction practices and that the project will
not result in an undue burden on the system.
J. Utilities. The development shall be provided with electrical and
telephone service adequate to meet the anticipated use of the project.
K. Natural features. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural
state insofar as practical by minimizing tree removal, disturbance
and compaction of soil, and by retaining existing vegetation insofar
as practical during construction. Extensive grading and filling shall
be avoided as far as possible.
L. Groundwater protection. The proposed site development and use shall
not adversely impact either the quality or quantity of groundwater
available to abutting properties or public water supply systems.
M. Exterior lighting. The proposed development shall provide for adequate
exterior lighting to provide for the safe use of the development in
nighttime hours. All exterior lighting shall be designed and shielded
to direct light downward and avoid spillage beyond the boundaries
of the applicant's property.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
N. Solid and hazardous waste disposal. The proposed development shall
provide for adequate disposal of solid wastes and hazardous wastes.
(1)
All solid waste shall be disposed of at a licensed disposal
facility having adequate capacity to accept the project's wastes.
(2)
All hazardous wastes shall be disposed of at a licensed hazardous
waste disposal facility, and evidence of a contractual arrangement
with the facility shall be submitted.
O. Landscaping. The development plan shall provide for landscaping to
define street edges, improve community appearance, and provide shade
for pedestrians, break up parking areas, soften the appearance of
the development, and protect abutting properties from adverse impacts
of the development. No invasive species shall be planted as part of
an approved landscape plan and native species are strongly encouraged.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
P. Shoreland relationship. The development shall not adversely affect
the water quality or shoreline of any adjacent water body. The development
shall demonstrate that the cutting or removal of vegetation along
water bodies shall not increase water temperature or result in shoreline
erosion or sedimentation of water bodies. The development plan shall
provide for access to abutting navigable water bodies for the use
of occupants of the development.
Q. Technical and financial capacity. The applicant has demonstrated
that s/he has the financial and technical capacity to carry out the
project in accordance with this Code and the approved plan. In determining
the applicant's technical ability, the Board shall consider the applicant's
previous experience, the experience and training of the applicant's
consultants and contractors, the history of performance on past applications,
nonpayment of outstanding invoices associated with permitting or violations
of previous approvals involving the applicant, consultants, contractors,
or other agents of the applicant. If necessary to satisfy this criteria,
the Planning Board may require the applicant to retain qualified contractors
and consultants to prepare plans and applications and to supervise,
construct, and inspect required improvements in the proposed development.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
R. Buffering. The development shall provide for the buffering of adjacent
uses where there is a transition from one (1) type of use to another
use and to screen service and storage areas. The buffer areas required
by the designated reviewing committee or this chapter shall be provided
and maintained.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
S. Airport encroachment. The development shall not encroach above the
imaginary surface of the Airport as specified in Section 77.13 of
Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations unless such encroachment
shall not have a detrimental impact on the instrument landing approach
minimums currently in use or likely to be in use in the future.
T. Supplemental criteria and standards for private ways. The Planning
Board shall approve the use of private ways which meet the standards
of this chapter, including but not limited to those described below
to provide access to and frontage for individual lots of land.
(1)
Each lot having access from an approved private way shall be improved with no more than one (1) dwelling unit and related accessory buildings and uses, except for residential uses allowed in the Urban Zone as outlined in the Table of Land Uses, which may allow use of the private way to access other types of residential uses if the Planning Board finds that the proposed use is in conformance with §
280-16-7T(3)(h).
[Amended 9-20-2022 by Order No. 22-440-01]
(2)
If the private way provides access to two (2) or more lots,
a maintenance agreement shall be prepared. This agreement shall specify
the rights and responsibilities of each lot owner with respect to
the maintenance, repair, and plowing of the private way. This agreement
shall be approved by the Planning Board and shall be recorded in the
York County Registry of Deeds within thirty (30) days of approval
by the Planning Board. Prior to the expiration of the thirty (30)
day period, the Planning Board may extend this time limit upon written
request by the applicant and a finding that such extension is consistent
with current zoning requirements.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
(3)
Private ways shall have a minimum right-of-way width of thirty-three
(33) feet and a paved apron twenty (20) feet in length commencing
at the existing edge of pavement where it intersects with the private
way. The paved apron shall be constructed to the following standards:
(a)
Fifteen (15) inches of base gravel, Maine Department of Transportation
(MDOT) Spec. 703.06 Type D.
(b)
Three (3) inches of three-quarter (3/4)-inch crushed gravel.
(c)
Minimum of two (2) inches of paved surface or greater as specified
by the Public Works Director.
(d)
Negative two percent (2%) grade from the existing edge of pavement
to an appropriate drainageway but in no case less than five (5) feet
from the travel surface of the public way it intersects.
(e)
The construction of private ways shall meet the following minimum
standards.
|
Number of Lots Served
|
---|
|
One (1) to three (3)
|
Four (4) or more
|
---|
Minimum roadway width
|
Sixteen (16) feet
|
Same as local residential streets
|
Minimum subbase (heavy road gravel)
|
Fifteen (15) inches
|
|
Wearing surface (fine gravel)
|
Two (2) inches
|
|
Maximum length
|
None
|
|
Maximum grade
|
Eight (8)%
|
|
Minimum grade
|
One-half (0.5)%
|
|
Turnaround at dead end
|
Hammerhead or T subject to approval by the Fire Department
|
|
Stormwater drainage
|
Approval of Director of Public Works
|
|
(f)
Notwithstanding other provisions of the Code to the contrary, no private way shall provide access to or serve in any way to provide compliance with the requirements of the Code for more than three (3) individual lots unless construction of the way complies with the local residential street standards as set forth in Chapter
275: Subdivision of Land, except that up to ten (10) residential units may be allowed in the Urban Zone if the Planning Board finds that the private way is in conformance with §
280-16-7T(3)(h).
[Amended 9-20-2022 by Order No. 22-440-01]
(g)
The land within the right-of-way of an approved private way
shall not be used to meet the frontage or lot area requirements of
any lot. The creation of a private way shall not reduce the frontage
or lot area of an existing conforming lot below that required by the
zone in which it is located nor reduce the frontage or lot area of
an existing nonconforming lot.
(h) The Planning Board may allow up to ten (10) residential units on
a private way in the Urban Zone if:
[Added 9-20-2022 by Order No. 22-440-01]
[1] It has granted site plan approval for the private way;
[2] The private way is paved;
[3] The width of the right-of-way is adequate to ensure that there is
adequate area to accommodate necessary drainage and other improvements,
address topographic conditions, ensure safe disposal of stormwater,
provide adequate widths of travel lanes to serve anticipated traffic,
restrict onstreet parking, require that residential units are sprinklered,
siting and construction of fire hydrants, etc. If the Planning Board
determines that the right of way needs to be expanded to address these
conditions, it may require up to a maximum fifty (50) foot right of
way; and
[4] All other standards shall be in conformance with requirements for private ways in this chapter and Chapter
275, Subdivision of Land, including, but not limited to, provisions for turnarounds, maintenance agreements, recording of the approved site plan and maintenance agreements at the York County Registry of Deeds.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
Approvals under this article are dependent upon and limited
to the proposals and plans contained in the application and supporting
documents submitted and affirmed to by the applicant. Any variation
from the plans, proposals, and supporting documents, except minor
changes that do not affect approval standards, is subject to review
and approval as provided herein. Minor changes that do not alter the
essential nature of the proposal or affect approval criteria may be
approved by the Planning Director by written endorsement of the changes
on the approved plan. The procedure for obtaining review and approval
of other amendments shall be determined by the Planning Director based
on the classification of the amendment itself. The applicant shall
provide a date and description of changes on all revised plans and
documents. A generic statement that revisions are "per staff comments"
shall not be adequate.
Appeal of any actions taken by the Planning Board with respect
to this article shall be to the Superior Court in accordance with
the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80B.
[Amended 8-20-2019 by Order No. 19-397-01]
Construction or occupancy if no construction is involved, shall
commence within one (1) year of the approval of the site plan and
a certificate of occupancy issued within three (3) years of approval.
If construction or occupancy is not commenced or a certificate of
occupancy issued within these limits, the site plan approval shall
be null and void. Prior to the expiration of site plan approval, the
Planning Board or Site Plan Review Committee may extend these time
limits upon written request of the applicant and a finding that such
extension is consistent with current zoning requirements.