Belfast Planning Board Approves PCHC Lot Transfer to RSU 71

The Belfast Planning Board unanimously approved a subdivision amendment and site plan amendment allowing Penobscot Community Health Center to carve a new lot out of its condo association so the former maintenance building can be sold to RSU 71. The board also discussed upcoming cannabis ordinance work and scheduling for October and November.

Key points

• The board voted unanimously to approve the findings of fact, conditions of approval, and the combined site plan amendment number 3 and subdivision amendment number 1 for Penobscot Community Health Center at 21 Scudic Drive.
• The change creates Lot 2A from the existing condo association so the maintenance building can be sold to RSU 71; no physical changes to the site are proposed at this time.
• Chair Pippa Jolly, who works part time for RSU 71, asked whether she should recuse herself; the board and applicants raised no objection, and she continued to run the meeting.
• No members of the public spoke at the public hearing, and planning staff said no comments were received on the newspaper notice.
• The board discussed a comment from business owner Paul McCarrier regarding the City Council's recent cannabis ordinance amendments; the council declined to move forward with adult-use sales and wants to cap medical cannabis at existing numbers.
• Planning staff announced new associate member Erin Simmons, who was absent due to illness.

Next steps

• The city attorney will review the finalized condo documents and deeds to confirm shared access and utility easements before the transfer proceeds.
• Planning staff will send finalized findings and documents to the board for signatures.
• The board will take up the cannabis ordinance amendments at its next meeting on October 14, with a development review followed by an ordinance workshop, then a public hearing.
• A joint meeting with the City Council on the LD 2003 public campaign is penciled in for Tuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m., with a possible Planning Board meeting the following night.

Read the full transcript