Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 1250 - SHORELAND ZONING ORDINANCE FOR MUNICIPALITY OF CHESTER › Appendix 096-1250-B - TO BOARD ORDER #BEP-B-94

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
CHAPTER 1000: AMENDMENTS TO THE
STATE OF MAINE
				  GUIDELINES FOR
MUNICIPAL SHORELAND ZONING
				  ORDINANCES
1. Change Section 3.
Applicability,
to read:
This ordinance applies to all land areas within 250 feet,
				  horizontal distance, of the normal high-water line of any great pond, river or
				  saltwater body; within 250 feet, horizontal distance, of the upland edge of a
				  coastal or freshwater wetland; and within 75 feet, horizontal distance, of the
				  normal high-water line of a stream. This Ordinance also applies to any
				  structure built on, over, or abutting a dock, wharf or pier,, or other
				  structure extending
or located
beyond the normal
				  high-water line of a water body or within a wetland.
2. Change Section 14. Table 1,
Land Uses in the
				  Shoreland Zone
to read:
Land Uses
District
RP
15.
Principal structures and
							 uses
A. One and two family residential
PB
9
18.
Conversion of seasonal residences to
							 year-round residences
LPI
20.
Private sewage disposal systems for
							 allowed uses
LPI
Add footnote 9:
Single family residential
				  structures may be allowed by Special Exception only according to the provisions
				  of Section 16.E, Special Exceptions. Two-family residential structures are not
				  permitted.
3. Amend Section 16.
Administration
,
				  subsection B., to read:
B.
Permits Required
After the effective date of this ordinance no person shall,
				  without first obtaining a permit, engage in any activity or use of land or
				  structure requiring a permit in the district in which such activity or use
				  would occur; or expand, change, or replace an existing use or structure; or
				  renew a discontinued nonconforming use.
A permit is not required for the replacement of an existing
				  road culvert as long as:
1
1.
The replacement
				  culvert is not more than 25% longer than the culvert being replaced
2.
The replacement culvert is not longer than 75 feet;
				  and
4
3.
Adequate erosion control
				  measures are taken to prevent sedimentation of the water, and the crossing does
				  not block fish passage in the water course.
4. Add new Section 16, E.,
Special
				  Exceptions
, as follows:
In addition to the criteria specified in Section
				  16.D. above, the Planning Board may approve a permit for a single family
				  residential structure in a Resource Protection District provided that the
				  applicant demonstrates that all of the following conditions are
				  met:
1.
There is no location on the property, other
				  than a location within the Resource Protection District, where the structure
				  can be built.
2.
The lot on which the structure is proposed is
				  undeveloped and was established and recorded in the registry of deeds of the
				  county in which the lot is located before the adoption of the Resource
				  Protection District.
3.
The proposed location of all buildings,
				  sewage disposal systems and other improvements are:
a.
Located on natural ground slopes of less than
				  20%; and
b.
Located outside the floodway of the 100-year
				  floodplain along rivers and artificially formed great ponds along rivers and
				  outside the velocity zone in areas subject to tides, based on detailed flood
				  insurance studies and as delineated on the Federal Emergency Management
				  Agency's Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps and Flood Insurance Rate Maps; all
				  buildings, including basements, are elevated at least one foot above the
				  100-year floodplain elevation; and the development is otherwise in compliance
				  with any applicable municipal floodplain ordinance.
If the floodway is not shown on the federal
				  Emergency Management Agency Maps, it is deemed to be 1/2 the width of the
				  100-year floodplain.
4.
The total ground-floor area of all principal
				  and accessory structures is limited to a maximum of 1,500 square
				  feet.
5.
All structures, except functionally
				  water-dependent structures, are set back from the normal high-water line or
				  upland edge of a wetland to the greatest practical extent, but not less than 75
				  feet. In determining the greatest practical extent, the planning board shall
				  consider the depth of the lot, the slope of the land, the potential for soil
				  erosion, the type and amount of vegetation to be removed, the proposed building
				  site's elevation in regard to the floodplain, and its proximity to
				  moderate-valued and high-value wetlands.
And change existing Sections 16 E. , 16 F. , and 16 G. to
				  Sections 16 F. , 16 G. , and 16 H. respectively.
5. Add the following definitions to Section 17:
Floodway
-
the channel
				  of a river or other watercourse and adjacent land areas that must be reserved
				  in order to discharge the 100-year flood without cumulatively increasing the
				  water surface elevation by more than one foot in height.
Velocity Zone - an area of special flood hazard
				  extending from offshore to the inland limit of the primary frontal dune along
				  an open coast and any other area subject to high-velocity wave action from
				  storms or seismic sources.
________________________
BASIS STATEMENT
The Mandatory Shoreland Zoning Act, Title 38 section 438-A,
				  requires all municipalities to adopt shoreland zoning provisions for shoreland
				  areas. Shoreland areas include areas within 250 feet of the normal high-water
				  line of tidal waters, great ponds, and rivers; within 250 feet of the upland
				  edge of freshwater and coastal wetlands; and within 75 feet of streams. Section
				  438-A also requires the Board of Environmental Protection to adopt minimum
				  guidelines for shoreland zoning ordinances. Municipal ordinances must be
				  consistent with or no less restrictive that the Board's guidelines.
When a municipality fails to adopt a shoreland zoning
				  ordinance consistent with, or more restrictive that the Guidelines the Board of
				  Environmental Protection may adopt a suitable ordinance for the municipality.
				  This rule amends the previously adopted state-imposed ordinances by the Board
				  of Environmental Protection.
The amendments, however, do not incorporate the provision to
				  regulate structures located over a water body or wetland. That provision would
				  result in an unfunded mandate.
No comments were received during the written comment period
				  which ended December 1, 1994.