An unapologetic site plan review board kept residents waiting for nearly 45 minutes past their meeting’s regular start time, unable to seat more than two board members.
Present were Chair Gary Dugas and Vice Chair Jeanne Dunn. George Burr arrived at 7:40 p.m., finally making a quorum, the minimum number of members who must be present to conduct public business. Members Keith Hafer and Albert Kolff were absent.
According to a town planner review memo dated May 15, notable modifications to the project from the last submission included the addition of one retail unit bringing the total to eight, the removal of the financial institution’s drive-thru to be replaced by an ATM, more internal pedestrian walkways, a patio space, and changes at Portland Road (Route 1) to improve pedestrian and vehicle access.
From the perspective of town officials, the purposes of the May 21 meeting were to hear from the applicant again, note changes from the last proposal, to review and grant requested waivers, and to determine the completeness of the application.
Many attendees came to the meeting because of an official abutter notification they received on short notice by mail or secondhand via email. Others said they were there having heard or read about the project.
As stated in the abutter notice, the meeting “…was for review and comment by the Site Plan Review Board and informational for abutters.” Underlined were the words “This meeting is not open for public comment.” Yet 26 members of the public attended, hoping to have a say. Board Chair Dugas said he would “answer questions on procedure, if that helps.”
That prompted Tom Errico, a resident of Park Street, to speak. He is the director of traffic engineering for a consulting firm with 35 years of experience. “I didn’t see any updated Section 7 study for just this project as proposed. I’m a little confused how this board can review the project without having that information. That seems like that’s something that’s missing as relates to completeness of the project.”
At times, residents shouted questions from their seats to board members and the applicant’s representatives, which were not captured by the town’s audio service. Attendees were clearly frustrated at their inability to comment on the plan.
Chris Osterrieder, Kennebunk’s town engineer, explained that this presentation was preliminary due to probable modifications, and public comments would be more appropriately taken at the public hearing. He reminded the public that project details can be found as links on the site plan review board’s agendas and at this time, “questions can be emailed to town staff to be entered into the record.”
Over an hour into the meeting, Dugas invited attendees to the podium. Audrey Williamson, a resident of Ross Road, said “I am horribly affected by this subdivision, especially now with the new widening of Ross Road. I am trying to keep my calm, cool collected self.”
Williamson stated that the meeting notifications went out by certified mail with the wrong date. Only after she had twice contacted town staff did another certified letter go out. She has yet to receive it. “What do you do to all of these people who are affected by this when they are not getting notifications of these meetings?” Town Planner Hannah Watson replied to this, stating the applicant was responsible for that and notifications did get mailed in the allowed time for the meeting. Williamson suggested the ordinance be changed from a seven to a 14-day period “so people can actually get notified.”
Project representatives gave a detailed slide presentation at 9:45 p.m. At that point, only six attendees were left in the audience. It covered architectural renderings, anticipated exterior building materials, elevations, and road modifications. Along with Henry Hess, architect with Sebago Technics, representatives included Sam Malafronte, assistant project manager for Solli Engineering; and Elias Patoucheas, developer with Charles River Realty Group LLC.
Elizabeth Kaknes, a resident of Ross Road, implored the board to give residents as much information as possible. “People are concerned. This is going to be a big issue. Transparency is going to be key.” She listed the many unaddressed costs and impacts on existing businesses up and down Portland Road, plus pedestrian concerns, high school traffic, stormwater issues, maintenance and the effects on residents in the immediate vicinity. “I implore you to provide more fulsome and more timely information to the community. It is simply incumbent upon you to provide this information in a democratic and transparent way to the members of the public. That is the concern,” she said.
The board granted all requested waivers and the application was deemed complete by a vote of 3-0.
A site walk has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at 8 a.m. at 70-72 Portland Road. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Site walk questions should be directed to the community development department at 207-604-1303.
The public hearing for the project is tentatively scheduled for June 18 at 7 p.m. at Kennebunk Town Hall. Public comments will be heard at that time.
The last step of the process is Final Approval.
For updates and information about the Ross Road project, go to the site plan review board’s latest agenda postings at https://www.kennebunkmaine.us/AgendaCenter
