Kennebunkport Growth Planning Committee reviews state density rules

The Kennebunkport Growth Planning Committee met Oct. 6 to begin reviewing how state laws LD 1829 and LD 2173 will change local density rules, including allowing up to four units on some lots. Staff walked the committee through state guidance and a draft dimensional standards chart, and members raised questions about sewer capacity, lot coverage, and how the rules would apply in areas like Goose Rocks Beach. The committee also moved its first November meeting to Nov. 10 because of the election.

Key points

• The committee approved five sets of minutes by unanimous vote.
• Staff reported the draft historic district standards are now with the planning board for review, which will send comments back to the select board and the committee.
• The committee voted to move its first November meeting to Tuesday, Nov. 10, because the room is in use for the election; the second November meeting would follow on Nov. 17.
• Staff explained that state law permits, not requires, increased density, with the most units allowed where lots have public water and public sewer and are in the growth area.
• Mary Beth Gilbert and others said the state's flow chart wording was confusing and asked that future town materials clarify that four units are allowed per lot size and density rules.
• Tom Smith objected to a state chart's use of a "less than" symbol for minimum lot size, calling it backwards; staff said the document is state guidance, not the town's work product.
• Anne-Marie Martin raised concerns about added demand on the wastewater plant and whether each new unit would carry its own sewer connection charge; staff said they would check and report back.
• Members discussed whether the dimensional standards table should separate sewered and non-sewered lots within the same zoning district, with Paul Hogan and Gilbert favoring listing both for transparency.

Next steps

• Staff will bring the planning board's comments on the historic district ordinance back to the committee.
• Staff will report back on how sewer connection charges apply to multiple dwelling units on one lot.
• Staff will bring the multiplex definition and proposed changes to lot width and lot coverage standards to the next meeting.
• Staff will provide a list of possible exemptions, such as flood hazard zones and coastal sand dunes, at a future meeting.
• The committee plans to take up performance standards in November and parking rules later in the process.

Read the full transcript