Projects Kept Planners Busy in August

A site plan shows parking spaces and other changes proposed for the Jagger mill building on Water Street in Springvale.

Photo: City of Sanford

By Kendra Williams

The Sanford Site Plan Review Committee took a first look at the apartment project proposed for the Jagger mill in Springvale and approved changes to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery during their Aug. 20 meeting.

Jagger Lofts would turn the historic mill on Water Street in Springvale into 80-85 apartments. Developers, who were also taking the project before the Planning Board on Sept. 4 for a public hearing, are looking for a historical tax credit, contract zone, tax-increment financing deal and a parking waiver.

Also at the Aug. 20 meeting, the committee unanimously approved proposed changes to an existing site plan at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. Area B has been redesignated from 286 full-size burial sites to 503 cremated burial sites. Area F has been redesignated from 637 full-size burial sites to four columbaria walls, for a total of 840 niches to hold cremated remains. Other minor site improvements were also approved.

Other recent planning business includes the following:

Discussion of Campground Ordinance –The Planning Board had a discussion that included setbacks from property lines and/or houses, vegetated buffers, on site office, duration of stay, operating seasonality, winter camping, public safety and parking. The Planning Department is developing a draft ordinance for the Planning Board to consider at a future meeting. The ordinance has been a topic of discussion since last spring, when developers proposed a new campground with cabins and RV sites on the shore of Sand Pond in South Sanford.

Railroad Avenue and Ridley Road – Londonderry Lane – On Aug 7, the Planning Board considered a preliminary application for a 6-lot subdivision and private way on property owned by Thibeault Properties and Investments, LLC. Due to concerns about the steep 15% grade of a shared driveway, no action was taken until other alternatives are explored and the fire chief has a chance to provide input.

Genest Concrete Works – On Aug. 6, the Site Plan Review Committee considered a conditional use application for a proposed addition of approximately 10,000 square feet to an existing manufacturing building on Wilson Street. The addition would create a temperature-controlled room for drying precast products made on site.