BRUNSWICK
The Brunswick Planning Board approved a 17-lot subdivision off Hacker Road Tuesday, but questions remain about how 22 acres of surrounding conservation land might be used.
The development, called Douglas Ridge Estates, encompasses about 44 acres. About 22 acres would be conservation land to be given to the town by property owner and developer Robert Muller. The town council also has final say as to whether the town will accept the easement.
Public access to the conservation land would be allowed via Hacker Road, according to representatives at the meeting, and the owners will retain a five acre parcel, according to the plan.
Questions were raised about what types of activities would be allowed on the land, and whether public access was guaranteed. Abutting neighbors voiced opposition to allowing hunting, trapping and other activities on the property.
“It is a big issue for those who live there,” said one resident, asking how will people know the lines of where they can and cannot hunt, and pointing out that it seems counterintuitive to have a habitat protection zone included in an area that allows hunting.
Hacker Road resident Werner Wellman said the 284-page document detailing the plans for the project was posted four days before the planning board meeting. He contended that was not a sufficient amount of time to review and absorb the proposal, and requested the board table the plan to allow abutting property owners to review the documents.
The town is obligated to post documents four days prior to a scheduled meeting.
The property is located within the farm and forest zone, and includes wetlands and streams. About 9,000 square feet of wetlands may be disturbed by the development, and a Natural Resource Protection Zone permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is required.
The proposed lots will all have access from the private drives, including the existing residential lot off Hacker
Road. The project is intended to be designed as a net zero-energy project, with solar panels integrated into the residential homes, according to planning board documents.
The planning board will meet again Sept. 12.
jlaaka@timesrecord.com
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