Approved 2020 Ordinance Amendments

The Planning Board has prepared three amendments and has reviewed two road acceptance applications for consideration at the 2020 Town Meeting. This page provides the proposed ordinance language and supporting materials for each of the warrant articles.

The Fire & Rescue Department is proposing one ordinance amendment related to Cost Recovery. The exhibit for this proposed amendment is listed last on this page.

ARTICLE 10: Aquifer Protection Zone

At their May 5, 2020 meeting, the Planning Board recommended that this ordinance amendment be placed on the Town Meeting Warrant with a recommendation of "Ought to Pass."

Revisions are proposed to both the boundaries and performance standards of the Aquifer Protection Zone; the changes clarify the purpose of the district (to protect public water sources) and modernize the performance standards based on best management practices. The regulated area is proposed to be reduced to the vicinity of the Brunswick and Topsham Water District well on River Road. The proposed changes have been vetted and are supported by the Brunswick and Topsham Water District and the Maine Drinking Water Program.

Exhibit 10 Proposed Ordinance Text
Exhibit 10 Illustrative Map
Summary Memorandum
Interactive Map (Current Zoning May Be Viewed Here)

ARTICLE 11: Solar Energy Conversion Systems

At their June 16, 2020 meeting, the Planning Board recommended that this ordinance amendment be placed on the Town Meeting Warrant with a recommendation of "Ought to Pass."

Revisions are proposed to the Zoning Ordinance to define and regulate solar farms. The ordinance amendment defines principal-use Solar Energy Conversion Systems, establishes performance standards for the use, and identifies where stand-alone solar farms may be located. In addition to regulating solar farms, the proposed ordinance also creates a habitat mitigation fee for the use, based on the Natural Areas Plan. The ordinance amendment is championed by the Topsham Solar Advocates.

Exhibit 11 Proposed Ordinance Text (revised 5/8/2020 pursuant to discussion at the 5/5/2020 PB Meeting; revised 5/14/2020 to correct a typographic error; revised 5/29/2020 pursuant to discussion at 5/19/2020 PB Meeting)
Exhibit 11 Proposed Ordinance Text - Table of Uses
Referenced Map (revised 5/14/2020 to add a title, revise legend, and add a description)
Summary Memorandum (superseded by 6/11/2020 memo)
Summary Memorandum (added 6/11/2020)

ARTICLE 12: Map Amendment: Expand Mobile Home Overlay District and Rezone to R-3

At their May 5, 2020 meeting, the Planning Board recommended that this ordinance amendment be placed on the Town Meeting Warrant with a recommendation of "Ought to Pass."

Revisions are proposed to the zoning map in order to facilitate the expansion of the Mobile Home Overlay District. The proposal converts Business Park Zone (BP) land to Rural Residential (R-3), expands the Mobile Home Overlay Zone to encompass a portion of parcel R05-34, and converts BP Zone land to Commercial Corridor 196 (CC-196) designation. The changes are championed by Andy Maynard of Topsham Mobile Homes.