D-F planning board approves four land use ordinance items for ballot

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A step for bringing four questions concerning four Dover-Foxcroft land use ordinance items to a public vote was taken by the planning board during a May 28 meeting conducted via. Zoom. The planning board voted to move each question to the board of the selectmen, who would then make a decision to place some or all of the four items on an upcoming referendum ballot.

During a public hearing consultant Gwen Hilton, who has worked with the land use ordinance committee over the last several years on various updates, briefly explained each starting with the proposed question Shall an ordinance entitled “Amendments to the Town of Dover-Foxcroft Land Use Ordinance” be enacted? 

She explained this item streamlines the permitting process for small projects, allowing the planning board and code enforcement officer to work together more effectively with officer approved smaller projects and larger items to come before the board. She said the proposed amendments also pertain to motor vehicle establishments, with performance standards addressing motor vehicle service and repair businesses to be allowed in more areas of the community.

Speaking on the second question — Shall an ordinance entitled “Amendments to the Town of Dover-Foxcroft Land Use Ordinance pertaining to the regulation of Solar Energy Systems” be enacted? — Hilton said, “The idea of these amendments are to allow and increase solar projects in Dover-Foxcroft.”

She said the solar amendments establish the sizes for such home and commercial projects and regulate based on size and location — solar energy systems larger than 40 acres would not be permitted in the community.

Question No. 3 is Shall an ordinance entitled “Town of Dover-Foxcroft Vacant and Abandoned Building Ordinance” be enacted? 

“This is a seperate ordinance to address the problem,” Hilton said. “It requires a permit for vacant and abandoned buildings.It allows the code enforcement officer some authority to address those problem buildings in the town.”

The last of the four land use items is Shall an ordinance entitled “Amendments to the Town of Dover-Foxcroft Land Use Ordinance pertaining to the regulation of Mega Land Uses” be enacted?

“Primarily the purpose is to give the town authority over mega land issues,” Hilton said. “What we have put in place is basic standards and criteria.”

The full text and various summaries prepared for the public hearing are available under the planning board section of the municipal website at dover-foxcroft.org.

The selectmen may vote on the planning board recommendations in June, the selectmen are scheduled to meet Monday, June 8 and Monday, June 22 before having one regular session in July and August. The timeframe is still to be discussed, but the land use items may be placed on the November referendum. There would be more opportunity for public comment through the hearing process before residents head to the polls.