Brewer council modifies land-use zoning line

BREWER – City councilors on Tuesday redrew a land-use zoning line that will allow a strip mall to expand.

They also changed a land-use rule to accommodate development within the city’s professional business district.

Public hearings were held on both of the changes, and only councilors had questions.

The land-use zoning change designates the entire Twin City Plaza, established in the mid-1960s as “all-convenience business.” A portion of the property, which is now a parking lot, had been designated “medium density residential.”

A developer is looking at the site, but the land-use designation was posing problem, Code Enforcement Officer David Russell said. “I believe his intention is to expand on that business,” he said.

The amendment to the land-use rule is a direct result of the Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems building and subsequent development on Whiting Hill, Russell told the council.

However, the change will cover the city’s entire professional business district, which stretches the length of Dirigo Drive.

“This is just a way to get around lot lines,” Russell said.

The six changes to the land-use code cover “planned group developments” and will allow the second EMHS building and others that are proposed to be clustered and connected by interior corridors, he said.

“It will allow for a nice open space and open field,” Russell said. “The density will remain the same.”

The changes also allow for multiple owners, leases and easements for all planned group developments in the business corridor, he said. EMHS is planning to present concept plans for the second building on Whiting Hill at the September meeting and to break ground in October.

“I can’t imagine how great this is for Brewer,” Councilor Larry Doughty said.

The two land-use changes were reviewed by the Planning Board and endorsed at meetings in May and July.

During the meeting, the board:

. Selected Deputy Mayor Gail Kelly and resident Al Gibson to serve on the new regional planning committee for school consolidation. The two will work with Brewer School Committee board member Amanda Bost, with her alternate being board member Calvin Bubar, and neighboring communities on how to move forward on the state’s new school reorganization law.

. Increased mileage reimbursements for private vehicles driven by city employees from 37 cents to 40 cents.

. Approved a special outdoor event permit for Dino’s Pizza on North Main Street to hold a street dance with alcohol sales on Aug. 11 between 6 p.m. and midnight.

. Hired Mark Brooks and Sons Builders to renovate the old School Street School property at 100 S. Main St. as library space for a cost of $38,625.

. Authorized borrowing $7.1 million for capital improvement projects including the new public safety building, $6.5 million; Brewer-Orrington business park, $215,000; an excavator, $160,000; library relocation, $100,000; paving, $50,000; Wintergreen Way improvements, $40,000; general road construction, $25,000; and $10,000 in bond financing.

. Issued an easement to Habitat for Humanity property located in a back lot off Roosevelt Avenue.