SOUTH BERWICK PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MEETING December 6, 2005 7:00 PM ROLL CALL: Dennis Smith (Chairman), Cheryl Dionne, David Burke, Brad Christo, Bruce Whitney, Jim Fisk (Planner)   CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Smith called the Planning Board Meeting to order at 7:01 PM. MINUTES APPROVAL: On a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mrs. Dionne, it was unanimously voted to dispense with the reading of the November 15, 2005 minutes and adopt them as written after correcting the name of Mr. Kenney to Mr. Christo and … PUBLIC AUDIENCE:  No announcements or inquiries. CORRESPONDENCE: Jeff Grossman memo regarding mailing of packets to be changed to the Thursday prior the Planning Board Meeting. Revised Green Subdivision Findings of Fact with corrections were to be included in file. Jim Fisk letter to Mr. Gold, developer of Green Subdivision, regarding the payment of fee in lieu of constructing sidewalk to be made at time of release of letter of credit. Bruce Whitney mentioned his letter to the Board regarding the timing of consulting work following the approval of the Green subdivision to be included in the file. On a motion by Mr. Christo, second by Mr. Burke, Chairman Smith recommended that the Board conduct the meeting in workshop for a more informal discussion and without a recording secretary taking minutes it was unanimously voted to close the regular meeting and conduct a workshop. WORKSHOP: There was an overview of the workshop format, and the public was invited to participate in an informal manner. OLD BUSINESS and ORDINANCE UPDATES:  Chairman Smith gave an introduction to the Comprehensive Plan recommendations that the business districts be expanded, and the Council directing the Planning Board to undertake the zoning changes. Mr. Fisk gave an overview workshops and meetings, and of design review in Bar Harbor, Old Orchard Beach, and Freeport for the public. They were overlay districts in the business districts with a separate Committee or Board was established to conduct design review.  The creation of a new Board or Committee was discussed and it was decided that the Planning Board would conduct design review.  Mr. Christo remarked on Bar Harbor Planning Board having an addition of members to the regular Board to conduct design review.  The addition of design review members, such as a representative of the Historic District Commission, business community, or Council was discussed and it was decided that the existing compliment of Planning Board should conduct design review. The Freeport Ordinance was considered the appropriate format because of the standards, rating review system, and classification of buildings.  The appeal process was discussed and it was recommended that the criteria for granting a variance be included in the design review ordinance. Mr. Whitney recommended that a public education component be included in the process of creating the new design review ordinance.  Mr. Breed recommended that Mr. Fisk discuss the Pro’s and Con’s of the Freeport process with their planner. The 1998 South Berwick architectural survey could be the basis of the classification system. Members of the public spoke about their concerns over demolition and protecting abutting neighborhoods.  Historic pictures were distributed, town character, and preservation issues were discussed.  It was noted that demolition was not ruled out in the Freeport Ordinance.  Mr. Fisk was instructed to describe and define the area of the proposed Business Transition Zone. The workshop was closed. The regular meeting was reopened. Chairman Smith restated that Mr. Fisk would describe and define the propose Business Transitional Zone, coordinate with Freeport, research the existing and working draft of the proposed Comprehensive Plan, and draft a Desgin Review Ordinance based on the Freeport Ordinance.  The Board agreed and scheduled this to be on the January meeting by unanimous consent. OTHER: No other business. ADJOURNMENT:  Without other business and objection the meeting was adjourned at 8:30.