By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

While inflation is pinching everyone’s wallet, the cost of doing business has yet to slow down Bridgton’s development push.

The Planning Board (Aug.2) put final approval stamps on two projects, reviewed a new parking facility to serve Shawnee Peak ski resort, and heard proposals to develop “recreational-based” structures on Brag Way as well as condo units on Mountain Road.

Approvals 

• Nouria Energy, 443 Portland Road, scaled back its original redevelopment proposal of the convenience store and fueling station on Route 302 to gain Planning Board approval. Changes included reducing the number of fueling stations from 20 to 16 (10 pumps to 8); redesigning the fueling canopy (50 feet shorter than previously presented); and using a “pitched” roof.

Conditions attached to the approval include: installing signage indicating “No Overnight Parking” and “No Long-Term Idling”; applicant will receive MDOT and DEP approvals prior to submitting a building permit application; provide letter from a financial institution proving financial capacity for the project; ensure driveway lanes are clearly marked, including “Driveway Only,” “No Parking” and/or “Do Not Block”; applicant will submit for building and sign permits once approved.

• Long Lake Marina, 255 Portland Road, gained approval to build a boat workshop structure.

Reviewed

• Shawnee Peak Holdings is proposing to construct a parking area on 2.41 acres that borders Route 302 and Mountain Road (the open field one sees adjacent to Sportshaus, the back portion of that property). The development is to address parking problems along Mountain Road, where nine to 10 vehicles each winter get stuck in ditches requiring towing and closure of the roadway. Ski visitors will be able to park there and take a shuttle to the resort.

Engineers George Sawyer and Jim Seymour gave an overview of the project, which calls for paved and gravel parking to accommodate 259 spaces (eight designated handicap spots) and spaces for buses. 

Lighting includes three poles in the middle of the facility along with a “series” of lights along the perimeter. Sawyer said solar-powered lights were considered, but the weight of batteries would force the use of bigger poles (height of proposed poles is 16 feet), and “batteries don’t last long in cold weather,” thus the idea was nixed. A timer will be used, with lights out expected by 10:30 p.m. Seymour noted that the light intensity can be toned down.

There will be two retention ponds to address stormwater runoff.

Undecided whether the facility will be gated or if a chain will be used to close the parking area off when not in use.

While the plan calls for some landscaping to create buffers to the site, planners suggested more be included on the back side since the “tree line is thin in the winter.”

Planner Dan Harden questioned whether some accommodation will be made for an existing snowmobile trail (it is not part of the trail system) that runs across the property, much like the storage facility across from Mountain Road retained a trail there.

“We’ll have some answers on that,” Sawyer responded.

Planners will seek a legal opinion regarding how the Land Use code’s setback requirement should be interpreted since there was a difference amongst board members as to how it should be applied.

No public hearing is scheduled on the project, however, Board Chairwoman Deb Brusini said, “If we get 40 letters tomorrow that might change things.”

Sawyer said the project is before DEP, and will keep planners abreast to where things stand.

Pre-applications

• Brag Way — Craig Burgess of Sebago Technics presented planners with a Main Eco Homes project that calls for construction of four large-scale metal buildings — three for “recreational purposes” while the fourth’s use is “unknown” at this time — off Brag Way.

“The uses would blend the site in with the nearby athletic field. It will be recreational in nature,” Burgess said.

One facility would house dance and gymnastics, while another would target tennis, pickle ball and a track. The third could house an indoor community pool, trampoline park or fitness center.

“Thing will be better defined as we move closer to the (planning board review) process,” Burgess added.

Planners suggested narrowing down uses, hours of operation, how traffic and lighting will be addressed. There was a suggestion whether a “shared” driveway with neighboring Nouria Energy could be developed.

There is no public water system or wastewater disposal available at the site, so a well would be needed for a water source, and the developer would explore whether to use multiple septic systems or one system to serve the complex.

• Mountain Road Condos — Burgess remained at the podium to pitch the next project — representing Harden LLC (Dan Harden, who recused himself from the board table and spoke briefly about his project) — nine duplex units (for a total of 18 condo units) on 9.8 acres off Mountain Road. The project calls for multiple wells, as well as septic systems that will serve up to three units. There will be two access points to the development.

These two projects will return to planners at upcoming meetings.