Ordinance Changes Go Under for 3rd Time

(Lamoine) — A proposal to include a section of noise regulation lifted from the Gravel Extraction Ordinance sank proposed changes to the Building and Land Use Ordinance at the annual town meeting. Voters argued the wording would prevent businesses from operating on Sundays, though Planning Board members maintained that was not the intent.

The rejection was the 3rd for sweeping changes to the Building and Land Use Ordinance in the past year. In March 2003, voters rejected changes that included an Aquifer Protection Zone. In November of ‘03 similar arguments came about the noise section, though many said the way it was worded would prevent them from mowing lawns on Sundays. An additional problem came from a proposed change in zoning and lack of public notification about that change.

The latest version did not significantly change zoning, and the noise section was re-worded to affect only commercial and industrial operations. At a public hearing on the proposed changes before the town meeting, no one raised the noise issue.

Another issue that arose at town meeting was a conflict in the way the ordinance meshes with the Floodplain Ordinance.
In the end, the measure was defeated by 4-votes at the open town meeting.

The Planning Board will discuss changes again in April. The Board has also approached the Selectmen about increasing the fees for subdivisions in order to more fully fund time for the Code Enforcement Officer. The Board is reviewing the CEO’s job description and may recommend some changes to the Selectmen to require more input from the CEO on applications to the Board.