When the owner of the property or his authorized agent makes
formal application for site plan review, his application shall contain
at least the following exhibits and information:
A. Owner's name and address.
B. Names and addresses of all abutting property owners.
C. Sketch map showing general location of the site within the Town.
D. Boundaries of all contiguous property under the control of the owner
or applicant regardless of whether all or part is being developed
at this time.
E. Zoning classification(s) of the property lines of the property to
be developed and the source of this information.
F. The bearing and distances of all property lines of the property to
be developed and the source of this information. The Board may require
a formal boundary survey when sufficient information is not available
to establish, on the ground, all property boundaries.
G. The location of all building setbacks required by this chapter.
H. The location, dimensions, front view, and ground-floor elevations
of all existing and proposed buildings in the site.
I. The location and dimensions of driveways, parking and loading areas,
and walkways.
J. Location of intersecting roads or driveways within 200 feet of the
site.
K. The location and dimensions of all provisions for water supply and
wastewater disposal
L. The location of open drainagecourses, wetlands, stands of trees,
and other important natural features, with a description of such features
to be retained and of any new landscaping planned.
M. Location and dimensions of any existing easements and copies of existing
covenants or deed restrictions.
N. Location, front view, and dimensions of existing and proposed signs.
O. Location and type of exterior lighting.
P. Copies of applicable state and federal approvals and permits; provided,
however, that the Board may approve site plans subject to the issuance
of specified state and federal approvals and permits where it determines
that it is not feasible for the applicant to obtain them at the time
of site plan review.
Q. A signature block on the site plan, including space to record a reference
to the order by which the plan is approved.
The Planning Board may require any or all of the following submissions
where it determines that, due to the scale, nature of the proposed
development or relationship to surrounding properties, such information
is necessary to assure compliance with the intent and purposes of
this chapter:
A. Existing and proposed topography of the site at two-foot contour
intervals, or such other interval as the Board may determine, prepared
and sealed by a surveyor licensed in the State of Maine.
B. A stormwater drainage and erosion control plan prepared by an engineer
or landscape architect registered in the State of Maine, showing:
(1)
The existing and proposed method of handling stormwater runoff.
(2)
The direction of flow of the runoff through the use of arrows.
(3)
The location, elevation, and size of all catch basins, dry wells,
drainage ditches, swales, retention basins, and storm sewers.
(4)
Engineering calculations used to determine drainage requirements
based upon a twenty-five-year storm frequency, if the project will
significantly alter the existing drainage pattern due to such factors
as the amount of new impervious surfaces (such as paving and building
area) being proposed.
(5)
Methods of controlling erosion and sedimentation during and
after construction.
C. A utility plan showing, in addition to provisions for water supply
and wastewater disposal, the location and nature of electrical, telephone,
and any other utility services to be installed on the site.
D. Sufficient technical capacity:
(1)
The Board may require the developer to show evidence of sufficient
technical capacity to:
(a)
Fully complete the work described in the site plan application
in a timely and workmanlike manner; and
(b)
Fully complete the work in accordance with all applicable federal,
state, and municipal ordinances and best management practices.
(2)
In determining the developer's technical ability, the Board
may consider:
(a)
The developer's previous experience and qualifications;
(b)
The experience and qualifications of the consultants and contractors/subcontractors
the developer intends to use to perform the work;
(c)
Any previous violations of federal, state, or municipal permits
for best management practices by the developer;
(d)
Any prior successful or failed development project(s).
(3)
The developer may retain professional consultants to supervise, construct and inspect the described work as long as any such consultants prove reasonably satisfactory to the Board in accordance with §
290-12.4D(1) and
(2) above.
E. A planting schedule keyed to the site plan and indicating the varieties
and sizes of trees, shrubs, and other plants to be planted.
F. In addition to §
290-12.3A,
C,
D,
L,
M,
O and
Q, applications for piers, wharves, breakwaters and boat ramps shall include:
[Amended 11-2-2010]
(1)
A site plan stamped and sealed by an engineer registered in
the State of Maine.
(2)
An elevation showing the height of the pier in relation to normal
high water.
(4)
A detailed erosion control plan, including a schedule of construction.
The schedule shall include the kind of motorized equipment, how and
when it will be used below high or low water.
(5)
A detailed plan showing how oils, greases or other contaminates
will be separated and handled.
(6)
Copies of required Maine Department of Conservation submerged
lands lease, Maine Department of Environmental Protection and United
States Army Corps of Engineers permits; provided, however, that the
Board may approve site plans subject to the issuance of specified
state and federal approvals and permits where it determines that it
is not feasible for the applicant to obtain them at the time of site
plan review.
G. In addition to the submission requirements above, applications for exterior renovations in the downtown as required in §
290-12.1A(8) shall include the following, if applicable:
(1)
An elevation sketch of the proposed facade(s).
(2)
Sample materials or cut sheets.
(3)
Digital color photos of the streetscape.
(4)
Renderings or photo simulations of the proposed exterior.
(5)
Photos of historic or architectural details.
The Planning Board may modify or waive any of the submission
requirements when it determines that because of the size of the project
or circumstances of the site such requirements would not be applicable
or would be an unnecessary burden upon the applicant and that such
modification or waiver would not adversely affect the abutting landowners
or the general health, safety, and welfare of the Town.
The following criteria are to be used by the Planning Board
in judging applications for site plan reviews and shall serve as minimum
requirements for approval of the site plan. The site plan shall be
approved unless in the judgment of the Planning Board the applicant
is not able to reasonably meet one 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 necessary
to complete the application.
A. Preserve and enhance the landscape. The landscape shall be preserved
in its natural state insofar as practical by minimizing tree removal,
disturbance of soil, and by retaining existing vegetation during construction.
After construction is completed, landscaping shall be designed and
planted to define, soften, or screen the appearance of off-street
parking areas from the public right-of-way and abutting properties
and/or structures and to minimize the encroachment of the proposed
use on neighboring land uses.
B. Erosion control. Filling, excavation, and earthmoving activity shall
be carried out in a way that keeps erosion and sedimentation to a
minimum, including:
(1)
Preservation and protection of natural vegetation where possible.
(2)
Keeping duration of exposure of disturbed soils to as short
a period as possible and stabilizing the disturbed soils as quickly
as practicable.
(3)
Use of temporary vegetation or mulching to protect exposed critical
areas during development.
(4)
Use of debris basins, sediment basins, silt traps or other acceptable
methods to trap the sediment from stormwater runoff.
(5)
No storage of fill materials within 50 feet of the banks of
any stream, intermittent or perennial, or water body.
(6)
No removal of topsoil from any lot, except for that removed
from areas to be occupied by buildings, paving, or other surfaces
that will not be revegetated.
C. Relationship of the proposed building to environment and neighboring
buildings. The physical placement of proposed buildings or structures
on the site shall fit harmoniously with the terrain of the site and
with neighboring buildings or structures, taking into account the
bulk, location, and height of the buildings or structures and such
natural features as slope, soil type, and drainageways. The proposed
buildings or structures shall not interfere unreasonably with the
solar access of existing buildings or adjacent parcels.
D. Vehicular access, parking, and circulation. The proposed site layout
shall provide for safe access to and egress from public and private
roads.
(1)
Any exit driveway shall be so designed as to provide the following
minimum sight distance measured in each direction, as measured from
the point at which the driveway meets the public or private right-of-way:
Posted Limit
(miles per hour)
|
Require Sight Distance
(feet)
|
---|
25
|
175
|
30
|
210
|
35
|
245
|
40
|
280
|
45
|
325
|
50
|
350
|
55
|
425
|
(2)
The street serving the site shall be adequate to carry the anticipated
traffic, and the site plan shall locate points of access to avoid
hazardous conflicts with existing turning movements and traffic flows.
(3)
Pedestrianways shall be safely separated from vehicular traffic.
E. Surface water drainage. Adequate provision shall be made for surface
drainage so that removal of stormwaters will not have an unreasonably
adverse effect on neighboring properties, downstream water quality,
soil erosion or the public storm drain system. Whenever possible,
on-site absorption of runoff waters shall be used to minimize discharges
from the site. Drainage facilities shall be designed for a twenty-five-year
storm frequency.
F. Public utilities. The development shall not impose an unreasonable
burden on sewers and storm drains, water lines or other public utilities.
New utilities shall be sized, and existing utilities upgraded to adequately
handle the demands of the development.
[Amended 6-20-2006]
G. Special features of development. Exposed storage areas, exposed machinery
installation, service areas, truck loading areas, utility buildings
and similar structures shall have setbacks and screening to provide
a buffer to sight and sound sufficient to minimize their adverse impact
on other land uses within the development area and on surrounding
properties.
H. Exterior lighting. All exterior lighting shall be designed and shielded
to avoid undue adverse impact on neighboring properties and rights-of-way.
I. Emergency vehicle access. Provisions shall be made for convenient
and safe emergency vehicle access to all buildings and structures
at all times of the year, including twenty-foot-wide fire lanes at
locations as may be recommended by the Fire Department.
J. Special criteria for piers, wharves, land-attached floats, breakwaters,
municipal boat ramps, municipal piers, consolidated piers, causeways,
marinas, bridges over 20 feet in length and other uses projecting
into water bodies requiring site plan approval under the terms of
this chapter. In addition to the above approval criteria, the site
must be demonstrated to be suitable for the proposed use according
to the following special criteria:
[Amended 6-20-2006; 11-7-2023]
(1)
The project must not cause undue erosion on or near the site.
(2)
The proposed use must not cause degradation of marine life in
or near the area. The Board may ask for an examination and statement
by a qualified marine biologist regarding the impact of the project,
and that statement shall show no significant adverse impact on marine
life.
K. Design standards for new construction, additions or exterior renovations
in the B-1 or B-TH Zoning District. The applicant is strongly encouraged
to adhere to these standards; however, the decision of the Planning
Board on these design standards shall be nonbinding on the applicant.
The downtown area is a symbol of community economic health, local
quality of life, pride, and community history. A thriving downtown
preserves a sense of place and promotes the economic well-being of
its residents (Camden Comprehensive Plan, June 14, 2005).
[Added 11-2-2010; amended 7-14-2020]
(1)
The wall of the building facing a street or the Harbor shall
be treated as a front facade and shall incorporate pedestrian-scale
design features such as doors and windows to create a character that
complements the overall visual character of the streetscape.
(2)
The roof shall be designed to maintain the overall visual character
of the streetscape, to the extent practical.
(3)
Building scale should take into consideration the unique qualities
and character of the surrounding area. Buildings should reduce their
apparent bulk by dividing the building mass into several smaller-scaled
components.
(4)
Siding should be visually compatible with other exterior finishes
on the building and with those buildings to which it is visually related.
Any quality material that simulates traditional features will be considered
on a case-by-case basis.
(5)
Awnings shall complement the overall visual character of the
district. Rigid metal or plastic awnings are prohibited.
(6)
Other than general lighting for the commercial space, there
shall be no spotlights, flashing lights or strobe lights other than
permitted lighting for signage.
(7)
Buildings with historic features or specific architectural details
shall preserve those features and details to the maximum extent feasible.
L. Overlay design standards for the Business Opportunity Zone (BOZ), Article
VIII, §
290-8.16, which are in addition to and/or supersede the standard district regulations for the parcel's (parcels') current zone.
[Added 6-9-2015]
(1)
Floor area ratio (FAR), building height and design:
(a)
A maximum FAR (floor area ratio) of 2.0 is permitted. Floors
below grade shall not be included in FAR calculations.
(b)
Buildings are encouraged to be taller with more floors (rather
than low and wide). Height is limited to three usable floors above
grade. Maximum height for a building with a flat roof, 33 feet; with
a parapet added, 37 feet; and with a sloped roof, 46 feet maximum
height.
(c)
Any continuous wall greater than 50 feet in length shall be
interrupted by a different wall plane or an architectural feature
of at least eight feet in length.
(2)
Landscaping.
(a)
Landscaping sufficient to ring the boundaries of the developed
space along the property line is required. A total of one major native
species deciduous tree, 10 inches to 14 inches tall, three inches
to four inches diameter at breast height (dbh) or two six-foot to
eight-foot conifers or two six-foot- to eight-foot-tall flowering
trees is required for each 75 feet of property line length, with a
minimum that 50% of these trees shall be major trees. The trees shall
be placed along the borders of the property in order to provide required
screening and in locations where they will appear as if they grew
there naturally based on other existing vegetation, topography and
relation of the buildings to neighboring properties. In addition,
12 two-foot- to three-foot-tall shrubs per acre are required. The
shrubs shall be located to act as screening or to highlight design
features such as entry doors, sidewalks and signage. Landscape berms,
placed boulders and plant groupings are encouraged to make the site
more attractive. For any multilot applications submitted for BOZ approval
as one application, the property line for landscape calculations shall
be the property boundary between the properties constituting the site
plan and any adjacent properties.
(b)
Preservation of existing specimen trees or beneficial naturally
vegetated areas is encouraged and can be considered as a possible
partial offset to the required landscaping.
(3)
Utilities. Utilities, including electric, phone, cable and propane,
shall be buried on-site.
(4)
Parking. Parking requirements within the BOZ may be flexible, and creative parking solutions are encouraged such as the use of motorcycle or bicycle parking areas. Parking shall be 80% of the standard parking requirements for the total of all uses based on the requirements of Article
XA, §
290-10A.5; however, no grandfathered spaces or fees in lieu of spaces are allowed. Parking areas should be grouped so that multiple buildings will utilize adjacent spaces, and businesses should consider shared parking. Service areas (dumpsters, etc.) shall be screened.
(5)
Traffic. Traffic is to be controlled so that businesses within
the BOZ can send out delivery trucks in the morning and receive them
back at end of day.
[Amended 7-14-2020]
Approval of the site plan and any building permit issued for
development within the scope of this chapter shall expire after a
period of 24 months after the date of site plan approval if development
has not begun.