WILTON – Planners said Thursday they need legal advice before they can determine whether a large amount of land can be exempt from subdivision laws.

Landowner Hank McPherson said he purchased the parcel in September 2002. In July 2002, a subdivision plan was filed with the Registry of Deeds by the former owners.

McPherson wants planners to agree that his property falls under a law that existed in 2002 which exempts from subdivision laws any property of 40 or more acres outside the shoreland zone.

The exemption law no longer exists, but towns can enact an ordinance that contains it because Maine has a “home rule” law. There is no such exemption available under Wilton’s current ordinance. To change it would require a town vote.

Planners authorized code enforcement officer Katherine Shoaps to contact the Maine Municipal Association to get its opinion about whether McPherson’s property can be grandfathered. They will discuss the issue at their next meeting if they are able to get a response from MMA by then.

Planners also tabled an application by David Jones, who wanted to build a 17- by 17-foot addition and a full foundation on his home on Lake Drive. Jones will need to reassess his plans because what he proposed is not allowed, they said.

Planners said Jones can increase the size of his home near Wilson Lake by 30 percent under the town’s ordinance. Building a full basement would be considered living space and therefore would put him over the limit if he also builds an addition. Planners said Jones could build the addition, which would take up about 18 percent, then build a frost wall with a crawl space with about a 10- by 12-foot furnace room, and be within the 30 percent rule.

Planners tabled an application by Tracy Hollingdale, who wants to sell a portion of her property. Hollingdale purchased a lot with a small house next to her original property on Fuller Street. She asked to be able to sell the new lot.

Since the split would create a nonconforming lot, planners said it cannot be done. Shoaps will contact Hollingdale to see if she would like to pursue a different plan for the property. Hollingdale was not present at the meeting.

Planners granted an amendment for Louis Webster to bring an existing building to a lot on Route 2, where he plans to operate several businesses.

Last month, planners granted a permit for Webster to build a business complex on Route 2 across from the Big Apple. Now he wants to use a building he purchased. Shoaps said Webster has already brought the building to the lot and has begun work on it.

Planners also granted a permit for Theresa Mosher to operate a farm stand from her van on McCrillis Corner Road and Route 2. Any signs will need to be taken down daily, planners said.

Shoaps told planners she looked at the original building permit for the Bass-Wilson Building downtown to determine what kind of sign is allowed there. Planners said at their last meeting they believed a kiosk was to be built there, containing the names of all businesses in the building, rather than the separate signs that now exist there.

Shoaps said that while it appears that a kiosk was to be built, other signs are allowed there as well.

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