by Doug La Rocque
David Leon’s representatives, MJ Engineering, were back before the Brunswick Planning Board on Thursday evening, May 12, with a new rendering of what the proposed addition of an Aroma Joe’s Coffee Drive Thru would look like. The problem the Planners have is that it is not just drive thru but has a walk up window as well. Several members of the Board voiced their concern about pedestrians crossing an increased traffic flow, particularly since the rendering did not show any crosswalks or other protective features leading to that walk up window.
A traffic study predicting the amount of extra vehicles Aroma Joe’s would generate indicated about 40 more cars in the am rush hour and 15 in the pm. Members of the Board, however, had not received that study. Member Linda Stancliffe expressed her concern about the cumulative impact of the extra traffic with what the Aldi site would already be generating.
Member Kevin Mainello also questioned the width of the turning radius from the north to the west side of the building, feeling it was perhaps lacking the appropriate footage. Chairman Russ Oster informed the Board the local fire company also has traffic questions.
Bottom line, the Planners did not feel they had all the information they needed to schedule a public hearing yet. At their previous meeting they determined this side amendment was of a major not minor nature, which required further environmental study as well as a second public hearing.
Cole Lane Subdivision Revived
Known as the Cillis Subdivision, this was first proposed in 2007 but never materialized. Jim Cillis has proposed a 15-lot site plan, with 14 being for residential use and the last for stormwater management. Board Engineer Wayne Bonesteel indicated he needed updated stormwater management information, as regulations governing such has changed since 2007.
Belair Solar
CVE North America is still pursuing final approval for their proposed solar farm at the end of Belair Lane. They have submitted a revised site plan, with the Board still raising questions about the use of herbicides to control undergrowth. The developer plans to return with some new ideas, possibly the use of sheep.
Atlas Solar
This developer has proposed a solar farm adjacent to the former landfill on Oakwood Avenue. They provided the Planners with some visual simulations as well as a stormwater runoff plan but are still working on some wetland issues.