On January 7, Edgecomb Planning Board members continued the lengthy review process of an application to build a 54 unit assisted living complex on property owned by Edgecomb Development LLC, on Davis Island.

Peter Biegel and Steve Normand of Normand Associates Architects, Inc. and SYTDesign represented Edgecomb Development LLC and Joe Bettey, the builder who plans to purchase the property should the town approve the project.

Planning Board Chairman Katherine Braid reviewed the history of the application for board members noting that they have already held a pre-application meeting, site plan inspection, accepted a preliminary subdivision plan and held a public hearing on the application.

Braid noted that the decision before the board at this meeting was whether to make a finding that the application is complete. She was clear that the board was not approving or disapproving the proposal, but only determining that all necessary information has been provided and has been found to be complete based on town ordinances.

"I recommend that we deal with the subdivision and site plan applications separately in a two step process," Braid said. The board agreed with her recommendation.

Braid said that if the subdivision plan is accepted as complete, a final plan must be filed within 60 days of the notification of completion.

Town Planner Byron Johnson asked that the architects show where two additional culverts are located and clarify information about a utility easement. Board member David Boucher moved to find the subdivision application complete, which was seconded by Board member Anne Peaslee. The vote was unanimous to consider the application complete, pending receipt of the two items requested.

Braid showed greater concern about making a final decision on whether the applicants had met all the requirements to find the site plan review application complete. "Once the site plan application is found to be complete, a clock starts running that requires the town to hold a public hearing within 30 days of the decision and then to consider final approval 30 days after that hearing," Braid said. She added that some information that would be necessary to present to the town will be submitted by the state Department of Environmental Protection, and the department's timeline on this is unkown.

"I am hesitant to schedule a hearing without knowing that all the information the public will want will be there for their consideration," Braid said.

The selectmen and Fire Chief Barry Johnston were present at the meeting. Chief Johnston asked if there would be access for fire equipment to the back of the building and also questioned if the building would rise to three levels at any point which would make it difficult for the department to deal with an evacuation.

Steve Normand said that the building would have an approved sprinkler system and would not require that fire equipment access the back of the building. A meeting was scheduled for January 12 at 10 a.m. for Normand and Chief Johnston to meet at the town hall to discuss his concerns.

Braid told the applicants that they do have the right to sign a waiver of their right to have a public hearing within 30 days once an approval of the site plan application is given.

The final decision of the board was to review all materials at their meeting on January 17 with the understanding that the applicants will agree to waive the 30-day clock if the board has not received all requested studies and DEP approvals.