KENNEBUNKPORT – In their July 9 meeting, the Kennebunkport Select Board discussed a land use ordinance revision designed to increase stormwater management on certain new construction in town.
The revision is intended to prevent changes to stormwater runoff affecting neighboring lands caused by new construction. The revised ordinance would add an upfront assessment regarding potential stormwater impacts – and potential mitigation controls when needed. Kennebunkport’s site plan review process currently exempts single family residences that are not part of a development from stormwater management requirements.
According to Galen Weibley, director of planning and development for Kennebunkport, the objective of adding new requirements is “to help residents and developers plan for stormwater in a meaningful way that takes into account increased heavy rain that can cause flooding.”
The ordinance language under discussion by the select board currently proposes that any new structure with a footprint of 800 or more square feet would require both pre and post construction calculations to develop a stormwater management plan. Structures with a smaller footprint would require what are called “best management practices” to reduce potential runoff impacts, but not the more extensive, professionally designed plan being considered for larger structures.
Weibley added that “It is worth noting that the 800 square foot provision for the footprint was formulated based on a large two-car garage with workshop space (20’x40′) which would allow for an accessory apartment above that meets the living space requirements, which is a quite popular addition in Kennebunkport.”
Allen Daggett stated that he believes 800 square feet is too small to trigger the ordinance. Jon Dykstra stated that this is a real problem and needs attention. David Bancroft believes that adding this extra cost to new construction goes against the town’s efforts to keep housing affordable, noting that a professionally designed design and mitigation plan could cost a significant amount. Bancroft added that while the original discussion on the ordinance revision included statements that people building homes in Kennebunkport could afford this expense, he believes that others, especially those building accessory dwelling units, could not. Discussion ensued as to what the real costs would be, including that the higher range of expenditure would be incurred only if a problem is identified.
What followed was a lively discussion where select board members tried to balance protecting neighbors against the negative effects of runoff with the inherent potential cost increase of new construction. Varying perspectives on whether this requirement was needed in less densely populated sections of town were also shared.
The select board seemed to agree to compromise on some of these discussion points, with new wording to be presented at the August 6 select board meeting.
