Saco Planning Board Meeting – June 16, 2026
Saco Planning Board Meeting – June 16, 2026
The Saco Planning Board convened on June 16, 2026 to address several items including a final subdivision at 321 Lincoln Street, a site plan application for a mixed-use development at 991 Portland Road, and a private way application at 530 Ferry Road. The meeting lasted from approximately 9:52 PM to 10:24 PM. Key decisions included approval of the final subdivision (5-1), continuation of the mixed-use hearing to July 21, 2026, and scheduling a site walk for the private way on July 8, 2026.
Consent Calendar
- No consent calendar items were presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Inga Brown (161 Simpson Road) spoke during the public comment period about the ecology school traffic monitoring report. She expressed concerns that the monitoring does not capture all traffic-generating events, as consultants only check the public calendar and miss private rentals and conferences. She requested more comprehensive monitoring aligning with condition nine.
- Melissa Field (160 Bradley Street) commented on the 321 Lincoln Street project, requesting a vacuum street sweeper instead of dry sweeping to control dust, based on recent experience across the street.
- Inga Brown also spoke on the 321 Lincoln Street project, advocating for the sidewalk to be extended to Skyline Drive in phase B, citing pedestrian safety and connectivity.
- Ken Cuttman (45 Forest Street) raised walkability and drainage concerns for the 321 Lincoln Street project, noting potential water impacts on adjacent properties.
- Mary Elizabeth Carolyn (54 Forest Street) expressed fear that her yard would become a pond due to drainage changes and loss of green space, and criticized the lack of green space for children.
- Mike Ian (property owner beyond Skyline Drive) supported the project but urged sidewalk connectivity to Skyline Drive, noting a bus stop and pedestrian safety.
- For 530 Ferry Road, an unnamed speaker (likely a resident) opposed approval, citing unresolved wetland delineation, vernal pool survey timing, and stormwater management issues. Lynn Copeland (526 Ferry Road) objected to the road's proximity to her historic home, lack of buffer, and potential drainage impacts.
Discussion Items
- Minutes Approval: The board approved the June 2, 2026 minutes as amended (5-0-1, Catherine abstained).
- After-the-Fact Packet: Three public comments on 321 Lincoln Street were noted; no action required.
- 321 Lincoln Street (Final Subdivision): The applicant, Drew Gagner of Gorrill Palmer, presented the construction management plan and phasing. Key discussions centered on sidewalk scope (to Skyline Drive vs. as proposed), condition 13 (trash and snow removal responsibilities), and condition 14 (sidewalk completion timing). Public hearing was opened, testimony received, and closed. Findings of fact adopted 6-0. Conditions of approval amended (5-1, Jeff dissented). Final subdivision approval granted 5-1 (Jeff against).
- 991 Portland Road (Site Plan): Applicant Matthew Orr (Sebago Technics) and Elliot Chamberlain presented a five-building mixed-use development. Discussion focused on parking waivers, shared parking, phasing, traffic management permit (TMP) status, and wastewater capacity. The board noted that a waiver may not be needed for phase one, but overall project monitoring is required. Public hearing opened and continued to July 21, 2026. Application review continued to same date.
- 530 Ferry Road (Private Way): Applicant Austin Fagan (BH2M) presented a 475-foot private way. Application completeness approved 6-0. Public hearing opened; residents raised concerns about wetland delineation, vernal pool survey, stormwater, and impacts on abutter. Site walk scheduled for July 8, 2026 at 8 AM. Public hearing and application review continued to August 18, 2026.
- Planning Department Update: Charles reported on the ecology school quarter two traffic monitoring. Jeff suggested diversifying firms for future monitoring to avoid potential bias.
Key Outcomes
- 321 Lincoln Street: Final subdivision approved (5-1). Findings of fact adopted (6-0). Conditions of approval amended to move Tasker Street sidewalk to phase C and adjust condition 13 language (applicant responsible for services until street acceptance, subject to review).
- 991 Portland Road: Public hearing and application review continued to July 21, 2026.
- 530 Ferry Road: Application completeness approved (6-0). Public hearing and review continued to August 18, 2026. Site walk scheduled for July 8, 2026 at 8 AM.
- The board adjourned at 10:24 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of the planning board and valued community representatives. I welcome you all to this evenings of the Assembly of the Soccer Planning Board. As chairman, it is my privilege to convene this gathering dedicated to the thoughtful planning and development of our community. Today we come together with a shared commitment to shaping the future of our city in a manner that reflects our values, respects our heritage, and fulfills the needs of our residents both now and in the future. Excuse me. Our first item on our agenda this evening is the review of our past meeting minutes from June 2nd, 2026. Do board members have any questions, comments, or edits on this document. Jeff. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just had one minor correction on the second page. I believe it's the ninth paragraph down. If we could just correct Jeff Labonte to Jason Labonte, I think would be appropriate. Thank you. Noted. With that, Mr. Chair, I would move to adopt the draft meeting minutes as amended this evening. I'll second. Thank you for the motion. Jeff and the second Joyce. Any additional discussion? All right, those in favor, Chris? Yes. Jim. Yes. Joyce? Yes. Jeff? Yes. Catherine? Abstain. I'll vote yes. Motion passes five zero with one abstention. Our next item on our agenda this evening. Um it's a little bit out of order from our printed document here. We had a little bit of software issues from my understanding, but per our most recently adopted and revised SOP. We will have our next item will be reviewing the after-the-fact packet. And we have a few items here. Charles, do you want to give us a brief summary on those? So in your after-the-fact packet, we have three public comments coming in on 321 Lincoln Street. Um so we have those are all in here. Uh we after our 12 o'clock deadline, we did receive another from uh public comment from Ingo Brown on the ecology school and per the SOP that will be uploaded uh tomorrow morning as part of the agenda packet. Um but none of these really have those are the only ones. The only ones for active business tonight would be the three on 321 Lincoln Street. Okay, thank you. Board members, any questions for staff at this time on these on these few notes here. Um the board members want to discuss this, adopt it. Any I guess this is our first time putting reviewing the after-the-fact packet in our business. So I think I can provide a little guidance.
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