Berwick Planning Board Gives Preliminary OK to Megan's Meadow Lot

The Berwick Planning Board granted preliminary approval to an amendment adding one lot to the Megan's Meadow subdivision, with board members raising concerns about unmet conditions from the applicant's earlier approvals. The board also reviewed a sketch plan for an affordable housing expansion at 117 Old Pine Hill Road and adopted updated planning board policies and procedures.

Key points

• The board voted to grant preliminary approval for the Megan's Meadow subdivision amendment creating one lot off Megan's Way, with the vote described as 5-0 or 6-0.
• Board members questioned whether walking paths promised in a prior approval were ever cleared, and the chair noted the applicant has a history of non-compliance on other projects in town.
• The board discussed whether prior unmet conditions could count against the applicant's technical capacity under the town's review standards, and the town's legal counsel said he would consult the town attorney on the wording.
• The board reviewed a sketch plan for an LD 2003 affordable housing expansion at 117 Old Pine Hill Road, proposing a six-unit building and a two-unit building, with discussion of wetland impacts, sewer and water approvals, sidewalks, and how affordable units would be designated and monitored.
• The board voted unanimously to adopt amended planning board policies and procedures, effective immediately.
• In informational items, the board discussed the unfinished paving and curbing at a prior subdivision, new code enforcement walk-in hours, and scheduling for upcoming Two Sisters and ATP matters.

Next steps

• The town's legal counsel will consult the town attorney on how to word a condition tying prior violations to technical capacity.
• A site walk for the 117 Old Pine Hill Road project is scheduled for November 5 at 4 p.m., meeting on Terrace Drive.
• The board plans to research how affordable housing covenants and income limits are enforced, including whether units can be swapped and how often income is verified.
• The town planner will follow up on the shoreland zoning map update and on which map data sources take precedence.
• The board discussed scheduling a check-in meeting for the ATP matter on October 15, separate from the Two Sisters application.

Read the full transcript