Planning Board Minutes 4/8/2025

Planning Board Meeting Minutes

4/8/2025

Planning board attendees: D Carter-Chair Pro Tempore, R Doane, W Flagg, J Wetterskog

Town Representative: D Ford-CEO

Members of the public: Michelle Grey, Caleb Scott, David Witham, Traci Billings, Johnson Boyce, Emily Beck, Diana Santospago, R Santospago, Ruby Santospago, George Fields

Call to Order-Meeting called to order @ 7:00PM and quorum was established by D Carter

March 11, 2025, meeting minutes read- Motion and 2nd to accept as written and approved 4-0

Old Business

1-Revised Shoreland Zone setback to 100ft approved at Town Meeting.  Deputy Clerk sending update to Maine DEP for certification.

2-Comprehensive plan

  • Draft edits completed by Comprehensive Plan Committee
  • Draft edits completed by Select Board
  • Draft edits forwarded to Levine Planning
  • Levine Planning to provide edited draft for Select Board approval then it will be sent to Municipal Planning Assistance Program for review/comment.

New Business

Site Plan Review – Ferncrest Acadia “glampground”

In accordance with the Site Plan Review Ordinance, a motion was made by D Carter to consider this as a pre-application conference for the proposed Ferncrest Acadia “glampground”.  The motion was seconded and approved 4-0.  A presentation was made by Caleb Scott to create the Ferncrest Acadia “glampground” at the previously named Tasha’s (mini-golf, driving range) site, Sedgwick Tax Map 2, Lot 35.

The presentation included the following:

  • 1 conceptual plan (attached) provided for the initial July 1, 2025 target opening that included 8-domesites, 8-primitive sites, 2-privies for primitive sites, 2-tiny houses, 1-5m wellness center, 1-9m Community Building Center, and remodeling the existing snack bar into a bath house featuring 2 male toilets/showers, 2 female toilets/showers, and 1 ADA toilet/shower.18-livable units.
  • 1 conceptual expanded plan (attached) provided the final design that included additional 16-primitive sites, 14-tiny houses, 4-privies for primitive sites, 2-toilet/bathhouses w/ leach fields, drill secondary well, and constructing a running track. 30-additional livable units.
  • 50-page vision of the proposal presented. Applicant to email electronic version to the planning board email address for posting on website.

 

Questions/concerns from the planning board

  • Fire and emergency equipment access to area especially where campfires will be used by guests.
    • Applicant will provide emergency equipment turnaround
  • Campfire places to be inspected and approved by Sedgwick fire chief
  • Drainage and stormwater runoff is a concern

Questions/concerns from the public

  • Abutters concerned with well-water availability on their properties if additional well is drilled.
    • Applicant responded that 3,000-5,000gal above-ground water storage tanks will be provided to guests.
  • If abutters have water issues in future how will that be handled
  • What type of lighting will be used
    • Applicant responded no lighting considered at this point
  • How many campers per unit
    • Applicant responded with 2-4 per unit based on unit. Averages is 2
  • Abutters concerned with noise of campers
  • Abutters concerned with locations of prefab toilet/bathhouses on final conceptual plan

Initial application submitted to CEO Ford by Caleb Scott

 

Follow-up Meetings

  • April 17, 2025 @ 1:00PM will be a Site Walk at Ferncrest Acadia location. All welcome to attend.
  • May 1, 2025 @ 7:00PM will be a Public Hearing at the Sedgwick Fire Station, Sedgwick Ridge Rd. Town clerk to prepare newspaper notice.

CEO Report

  • 157 Carter Point Rd dealing with septic system issue requiring additional work
  • Maine DEP responsible for erosion, stormwater control outside shoreland zone

Meeting Adjourned-8:35PM

Respectfully submitted-J Wetterskog