Bangor Planning Board OKs bus training center, mall subdivision

The Bangor Planning Board approved a land development permit for a new Community Connector bus training center and cold storage renovation at 511 Main Avenue, and approved a minor subdivision creating two lots at 6 Bangor Mall Boulevard. The board also discussed a proposed growth boundary change off Stillwater Avenue and Kittredge Road tied to a possible VA hospital, and a proposal to remove the downtown floor area ratio standard.

Key points

• The board voted unanimously to approve a major site development and site location of development permit for a roughly 6,070 square foot training center and restoration of the existing cold storage building at 511 Main Avenue, with new parking, access drives, and stormwater improvements.
• The board voted unanimously to approve a minor subdivision and planned group development creating a 0.54-acre and a 6.24-acre lot from an existing 6.78-acre parcel at 6 Bangor Mall Boulevard; the applicant said no specific use is finalized for the new out parcel.
• Staff presented a proposed growth boundary change for two parcels off Stillwater Avenue and Kittredge Road to allow a potential VA hospital, noting a public workshop is planned for October 29 and that the change would require state review and City Council adoption.
• Engineering staff said sewer capacity improvements are underway in phases, with capacity expected by the end of the year, addressing a concern raised about a previously approved housing development further out Stillwater Road.
• Staff presented a proposal to remove the floor area ratio standard from the downtown development district, saying it is outdated and that design standards and height limits would be addressed in the broader land development code update; board members generally supported moving forward.
• Board members and staff noted two upcoming Planning Board vacancies and asked the public to spread the word.

Next steps

• The growth boundary change proposal will go to a public workshop on October 29 before any formal process.
• The floor area ratio change will return for a formal public hearing at the board's October 20 meeting.
• The board's next meeting is October 20; there will be no meeting on election day, and one meeting is planned in November.

Read the full transcript The agenda