Kittery Planning Board advances Village Green, Manson plans; Bartlett subdivision continued

The Kittery Planning Board approved a construction sequencing change at 9 Village Green Drive and granted final approval to convert 26 Manson Avenue into office space. The board found a three-lot subdivision at 25 Bartlett Road complete and held a public hearing, then continued deliberations after residents and the Conservation Commission raised questions about wetland fill, deed restrictions, and open space. The board also gave early feedback on a proposed mixed-use zone amendment, with no vote taken.

Key points

• The board voted 5-0-2 to approve the 9 Village Green Drive phasing modification, with a condition that CMA's recommended stormwater features be added to the final plan.
• The board unanimously approved the 26 Manson Avenue change of use from a single-family home to professional office space, adding a condition that the final plan accurately depict parking and show the side exit remains open.
• The board voted 6-1 to find the 25 Bartlett Road three-lot subdivision application complete, with Earl Dean opposed, then opened and closed a public hearing.
• Conservation Commission member Lois Marshall raised concerns about wetland fill calculations, culvert wildlife passage, and long-term monitoring of open space.
• Abutters Jim Anderson and Kate Vellucci asked for enforceable protections, including making no-cut/no-disturb boundaries an explicit condition of approval.
• The board discussed a proposed mixed-use zone amendment, with members favoring incentives for mixed-use development and possibly merging zones, but took no action.

Next steps

• The Bartlett Road subdivision deliberations were continued to a future meeting; the applicant is expected to address wetland mitigation, deed restrictions, and plan details.
• The applicant agreed to provide the purchase and sale agreement and addendums for the Bartlett Road property before returning.
• The mixed-use zone amendment will go to the Housing Committee and return to CLIC for further review before the applicant presents a revised draft.
• Staff will look into the most enforceable option for restricting disturbance on open space, such as deed restrictions or plan notes.

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