Opinion ID: 1541319
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Zoning Claim

Text: [¶ 14] Shadan asserts that the seasonal use restriction in force on the Oak Pond Stream Subdivision is a de facto zoning of his land because the Town has limited the uses to which he is entitled to put his land. In support of that contention, he points out that the Town is attempting to enforce the seasonal use restriction by instituting a procedure pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 80K to evict him from his property. [7] [¶ 15] The Planning Board was authorized to grant approval of a subdivision upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable ... to satisfy any other regulations adopted by the reviewing authority, and to protect and preserve the public's health, safety and general welfare. 30 M.R.S.A. § 4956(2)(D) (1978) (repealed, Laws 1987, c. 737, § A, 1; Laws 1989, c. 878, § C-25, eff. April 20, 1990.) The Town's Subdivision Standards, adopted in 1982, authorize the Board to impose further conditions on a proposed subdivision before approving the application. See Mutton Hill Estates, Inc. v. Town of Oakland, 488 A.2d 151, 154-55 n. 8 (Me.1985). The developer of the Oak Pond Stream Subdivision proposed restricting the subdivision to seasonal use, and the Board approved that restriction and continues to enforce it because of the poor condition of road access to the subdivision. Regulation of a subdivision is not zoning. Rather, such regulation protects the public health, safety, and welfare through the imposition of reasonable site-specific restrictions that ensure municipal control by flexible and practical means. In re Belgrade Shores, Inc., 371 A.2d 413, 415 (Me.1977).