Development Review in Saco

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	October, 2005	Return to newsletter index

"What do you do?"
"I'm the City Planner."
"So, what do you do?"

Fair question. The quick answer is, all proposed site plan and subdivision development in Saco is subject to review, by either the Planning Board or Planning Office. Review of what? All development projects of a certain scale: construction of buildings larger than 1,000 square feet; housing projects of two units or more; and subdivisions of land of three or more lots. Associated with such projects, everything from traffic impacts to parking to site drainage to site design. Also, lighting and landscaping, sidewalks and open space. In some situations, building design, as well. In short, planning for the near and long-term effects of development on Saco and its residents.

Smaller projects, too, are subject to review. Like to start a daycare in your home, or considering adding an apartment to your house? These and other activities carry with them potential impacts on neighbors. The City recognizes these as 'conditional uses,' meaning that such uses are probably appropriate, but should be subject to review and possible limitations so as to reduce the potential impacts.

Examples of 'site plan' projects in the recent past include the new Shaw's supermarket off Spring Street - in fact, the entire Saco Valley Shopping Center was subject to site plan review as part of the Shaw's proposal, which has resulted in the updated and improved appearance of the property today. Each of the two dozen new buildings constructed in the Spring Hill portion of the Saco Industrial Park in the past few years have likewise been through the site plan review process.

Subdivisions are often very visible additions to the community. A 'subdivision,' or the division of a parcel of land into three or more lots, is regulated by both state law and the City's Subdivision Regulations. Examples of three such projects currently under development include the 50-lot Sierra Woods subdivision off Rte. 112, adjacent to Saco Middle School; Sawyer Woods, 32 lots being built between Skyline Drive and Hubbard Street; and the Strawberry Fields subdivision off Ferry Road: 45 house lots and a 10-unit condominium.

No discussion of planning activity over the past few years would be complete without mention of condominiums, which are subject to both site plan and subdivision review. (See separate story.)

The Planning Board is often the most visible part of the review process. The Board consists of seven members, each appointed by the City Council to three year, staggered terms. The Board meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month. These are public meetings, with Saco residents and others welcome to attend, to learn about projects that are under review, and to comment during public hearings.

The Planning Office is responsible for review of 'minor' projects, often commercial projects with buildings less than 6,000 square feet in area, or minor conditional use permits: an individual seeking to establish a home occupation, for example. As is true of larger projects reviewed by the Planning Board, all applications received by the Planning Office and subject to review include notification of neighbors, so that at least a week ahead of a meeting interested parties are made aware of a pending application.

As City Planner, I oversee all of this activity, and am the primary contact for Saco residents if questions arise about a given project. Contact the Planning Office at 282-3487, or feel free to visit the City's website at sacomaine.org to view Planning Board agendas, ordinances, or to e-mail us with questions.

--- Bob Hamblen, City Planner