Minor subdivision application review became a renewed call for discussion of property owner rights and water protection for North Yarmouth residents.
On October 12, Wayne Wood presented plans to develop 2 lots on Delwin Drive. Currently, the access point is a private driveway extending past the intersection of Delwin Drive and Edna Lane. Adding the 2 lots would require the road to be improved to current town standards, though it would remain a private road. Providing a turnaround that could accommodate fire and rescue would be required for approval.
Wood will be revising application prior to next meeting to affirm development will meet current land use ordinance requirements for the project. The Board declined to grant waivers, including for a storm water management plan and a soil erosion control plan. Additionally, the Board requested Wood use the town’s online application to resubmit legible digital copies of documents.
According to the application, land owner, Mike Washo, has moved from the area and intends to sell his remaining property in accordance with current ordinances, as a minor subdivision.
Further review of the application was deferred due to questions. Abutting owner, Jim Bunting, expressed concern regarding negative impact to his property if the development is approved without revisions to the plan. Due to slope, Bunting expressed concern about potential increased runoff. The application did not outline a road maintenance agreement. Bunting emphasized the expectation of zero impact from future maintenance or plowing.
A site visit will be scheduled for the Board to evaluate topography and better understand stormwater or erosion mitigation needs for the project. Wood affirmed the right-of-way has “plenty of room” to upgrade the road and include adequate ditching. Code Enforcement Officer, Ryan Keith, cautioned although current road ordinances are thorough, any deficiencies discovered in the future would be the responsibility of the association and the property owner to remedy.
Planning Board alternate, Paul Metevier, a resident of Henry Lane, expressed concern regarding further development of the area and its impact on wells in the neighborhood. Although North Yarmouth sits on a large aquifer, drilling wells on private property can be a frustrating process.
Metevier has been vocal with his concern about the impact of new development on existing wells, and recently requested the issue of town water be addressed by the Select Board. The issue is expected to be on the November 3 agenda.
Walnut Hill is considered a “difficult area for water.” Walnut Hill Heights was developed in the mid-1980s. According to Planning Board member Jim Brown, 500’ deep wells exist. Bunting agreed, noting one neighbor had to drill to 800’. A reasonable flow rate cannot be guaranteed for any new wells. According to Metevier, one property on Delwin Drive has “7 dry holes,” while a “community well” on Henry Road produces 50 gallons per minute. The volume of Metevier’s well has diminished significantly in recent years, dwindling as low as 1 quart per minute. Resorting to expensive hydrofracking has restored it to 2 gallons per minute. Brown asked, “When will it be the last well you drill there, and nobody has water?”
An announced rate hike by Yarmouth Water District (YWD) has renewed debate about water in North Yarmouth and the town’s responsibilities. North Yarmouth sits on a significant aquifer, but no longer controls the rights. In the early 1900s, the town sold rights to access the water to Yarmouth. For the next 80 years, the town granted increasing control to YWD until it merged with North Yarmouth Water District in 1990. YWD now manages infrastructure and water delivery for North Yarmouth residents connected to town water.
Keith noted water concerns are not limited to this neighborhood. Problems with adequate flow rates have been noted across the town, including Long Hill Road, Ledge Road, and North Road. A solution for residents is to install a 300-gallon holding tank.
Current town ordinances regulate surface water and well proximity to anticipated contamination sources, such as septic systems. While a minimum lot size of 1 acre is required for new dug wells, final well placement on a property is determined by dowsers and drilling companies. Keith stated current ordinances do not offer a guarantee from the town that new wells will produce a specific amount of supply, and only relate to mitigating groundwater contamination. The ordinances also do not regulate impact on existing wells with regard to supply or outline guidance drawdown cone overlap.
According to Draven Walker (Assistant to the Town Manager), the Select Board is working with YWD to prepare for the November 3 meeting and have requested the YWD hydrogeologist attend.
Other issues related to the rapid development of large parts of the Village Center and North Yarmouth’s limited authority to control some practices by developers were expressed by resident, Judy Potter. Developer elimination of a well-used snowmobile trail has left snowmobilers without safe, legal transit options for some areas within North Yarmouth, particularly access to the North Yarmouth Variety. Current ordinances “encourage” interconnectivity, but do not require developers maintain or include trails. The Board does not have authority to enforce any such stipulation for new developments.
Earlier in the meeting, the Board re-elected Audrey Lones as chair and Chris Cabot as secretary.
Planning Board will have a workshop on October 26, which will include discussion of building setbacks. Next regular meeting will be November 9.