Saco Planning Board Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Saco Planning Board convened on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM (adjourned at 8:20 PM) to review several subdivision and site plan applications, approve minutes, and discuss planning department updates. Board members present: Chair Matt Prevenzel, Vice Chair Joyce Leary Clark, Jeff Brochou, Catherine Pelini, Jim Williar. Absent: Chris Gagnon and Carolyn Lane (excused). The meeting included a workshop, public hearings, and decisions on multiple projects.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the March 3, 2026 draft meeting minutes as presented (motion by Jim Williar, second by Jeff Brochou; vote 5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comments during the general public comment period or during any of the public hearings for specific applications. All public hearings were opened and closed without public testimony.

Discussion Items

1. Workshop: Sketch Plan Review – 102 Shataggy Road (Four‑Lot Subdivision)

• Applicant Gary Collins (10 Baxter Lane) presented a proposal for a four‑lot subdivision on a property with existing duplexes, water, and sewer connections. He noted that many ordinance requirements (e.g., new streets, fire hydrants) would require waivers and sought board guidance.
• Board members (Jim Williar, Jeff Brochou, Chair Prevenzel) raised questions about sewer easements, stormwater capacity, topography, driveway spacing, sidewalks, and building envelopes. They advised Collins to provide a detailed waiver request addressing each item individually and to include buildable area envelopes, drainage plans, and utility easement details on revised plans.

2. 63 Watson Mill Road – Final Subdivision Approval

• Applicant Austin Fagan (BH2M, representing VCJ Properties) presented a four‑lot residential subdivision with a 116‑foot extension of Memory Lane. A waiver for linear treatment of stormwater (previously approved in site plan) was carried forward.
• Board reviewed and amended findings of fact (adding specific language on water/air pollution, sewage disposal, surface waters) and conditions of approval (struck a condition on private sewer facilities as not applicable; added language on financial capacity letter).
• Approved motions: adopt findings as amended (5-0), adopt conditions as amended (5-0), grant the waiver (5-0), and grant final subdivision approval (5-0).

3. 100 Main Street – Site Plan Review for Office‑to‑Residential Conversion (Tabled)

• Applicant Drew Oldhouse Key (Haley Ward, on behalf of 100 Main LLC) presented a plan to convert office space into six residential units. He addressed prior comments: ownership (single owner, no condo docs), traffic peer review (no increase expected), wastewater capacity letter, existing lighting adequacy, and financial capacity.
• Board discussion focused on sight‑line issues at the intersection (sign obstruction and vegetation), bicycle safety concerns with the upcoming gateway project, and potential need for a no‑right‑turn‑on‑red restriction. Councillor Johnson submitted a late memo raising questions about easements, the mezzanine structure, and an escrow account.
• After a public hearing (no speakers), the board voted 5-0 to table the matter to the April 7, 2026 meeting to allow city staff to investigate easement and mezzanine issues and for the applicant to work with staff and the third‑party reviewer on sight‑line improvements.

4. 986 Portland Road, Phase 1 – Preliminary Subdivision & Site Plan Approval

• Applicant Jeff Amos (Terradot Consultants, for Clover Leaf LLC) presented a three‑lot subdivision with a private right‑of‑way. The board discussed adding language to findings acknowledging that a wetland delineation change is anticipated for Phase 2 and that future development must address those comments.
• Approved motions: adopt findings and conditions as presented (5-0); grant preliminary subdivision and site plan approval (5-0). Conditional final subdivision approval was not allowed under ordinance.

5. 196 Jenkins Road – Continued Review (Continued to April 7)

• Applicant James Lowry (BH2M, for Mozonian Development) presented a 14‑lot residential subdivision with a public road extension and four lots on a private road. He noted responses to city engineer and peer reviewer comments (stormwater model consistency, utility access, tree identification, wetland permitting).
• Board members raised concerns about road design standards (dead‑end street length, public/private road mix, long‑term maintenance burden on DPW) and aquifer impacts. Jeff Brochou expressed a preference for making the entire road private.
• The board voted 5-0 to continue the application to April 7, 2026, expecting a clean letter from DPW and responses to outstanding peer review comments.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of March 3, 2026 (5-0).
• Approved final subdivision and waiver for 63 Watson Mill Road (5-0).
• Tabled 100 Main Street site plan review to April 7, 2026 (5-0).
• Approved preliminary subdivision and site plan for 986 Portland Road, Phase 1 (5-0).
• Continued 196 Jenkins Road review to April 7, 2026 (5-0).
• A site walk for an upcoming application was announced for March 18, 2026, meeting at Mary’s Way off Ross Road in Old Orchard Beach.
• Planning staff will provide board members with gateway project presentation materials and a long‑range planning update in April.