By Ellie Fellers,Special to the Sun Journal

NEW GLOUCESTER – A four-lot commercial subdivision approved this week by the Planning Board drew no public comment.

Vinal Zegouros of Gray got the nod to divide 22 acres along Sabbathday Lake and Mayall roads, adding two commercial lots to two other lots approved in the past. The road that serves the subdivision will be from Sabbathday Lake Road. A driveway will be allowed on the Mayall Road.

All uses must be reviewed and approved by the board in the future, Zegouros was told.

Zegouros said he plans to sell the lots but can erect buildings on the parcels for future owners, if needed.

A road maintenance agreement is planned, and a fire pond will be constructed on the parcel approved by Fire Chief Gary Sacco.

In other business, the board held a public hearing on two zoning ordinance amendments that will go to voters at the May 3 town meeting.

An amendment for fire protection requires subdividers to provide adequate and reliable water supply for firefighting purposes, such as underground cisterns or fire ponds with dry hydrants.

The amendment to the subdivision regulations gives the Planning Board authority to waive the requirement only upon a written finding from the Fire Department that a reliable water supply exists within 4,000 feet of the farthest proposed structure in the subdivision, and the town would have easement rights to access such water for firefighting.

Minor subdivisions would require a 15,000-gallon cistern installed by the developer and a major subdivision with five through 20 lots, a 30,000-gallon cistern.

A fire pond newly constructed must have a minimum water capacity of 120,000 gallons maintained at all times with a minimum depth of 8 feet and 1,000 square foot area at the bottom.

Another amendment proposed deals with accessory apartments.

Two citizens asked for clarification on the proposal.

A current ordinance allows in-law apartments, 540 square feet of living space and no more than two bedrooms no matter how much living space is in the primary residence.

The in-law apartment provision will be abolished if the new ordinance passes.

The new accessory apartment amendment has been in the works by the town’s zoning committee for several years, Planning Board Chairman Jean Libby said. She said the ordinance aims to provide affordable housing options and lifts a restriction that in-law apartments can no longer be used once a family member no longer resides there.

Now the change requires the gross floor area of an accessory apartment be a maximum of 40 percent of the living space in a single-family structure, but no greater than 800 square feet. Only one accessory apartment is permitted per single-family dwelling. Mobile homes are not eligible.

For example, a 1,000-square-foot home can have an apartment of 400 square feet; 1,200 square foot home, 480 square feet; 1,500 square foot home, 600 square feet; and 2,000-square-foot dwelling at the maximum 800 square feet.

Copy the Story Link