The board was not even scheduled to discuss the amendment.
By Cora C. Briggs
Special to the Sun Journal

LIVERMORE FALLS – The proposed amendment to the Building Lots Standards ordinance was torn apart by the Planning Board Wednesday night and tossed back to the selectmen, continuing its winding way to the voters at town meeting.

Selectmen had made two changes to the proposed amendment Monday night, as suggested by audience members who felt it clarified the brief amendment.

Planning Board members disagreed, however, and a letter is to be sent to Town Manager Alan Gove by the code officer, relaying their objections that what they originally approved had been changed.

The board was not even scheduled to discuss the amendment but were to hold a public hearing about whether the downtown planning grant was in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. Since planners had given approval to the grant’s intent at the last meeting, they held no hearing and discussed the amendment instead, displaying anger and frustration at the changes.

Planners said the changes invalidated what was intended and members were unanimous in their action, voting to drop the additions from the wording.

However, they added something of their own: “This applies to all lots regardless of when they were created.”

At issue is an amendment aimed at preventing more of what has been termed an eye-sore, the placement of an older trailer crosswise of a lot on Knapp and Richardson streets where a house burned.

The amendment is not to forbid trailers, sponsors say, it’s just to avoid a similar unsightly placement. It would also require that dwellings be placed on foundations and in the previous footprint.

In addition, the amendment establishes a “Village Area” running from the Jay town line to Gilbert Street and across the power line.

In other business, the board heard presentations by Colleen Ryan of the of Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Barbara Charry of Maine Audubon on Beginning with Habitat, an approach to conserving Maine’s natural landscape for plants, animals and people.

They discussed their project, pointing out how much area is needed to sustain wildlife and suggesting that the board consider where future growth should be directed in accordance with the town’s Comprehensive Plan.