Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 1271 - SHORELAND ZONING ORDINANCE FOR MUNICIPALITY OF CORINTH
Appendix 096-1271-B - TO BOARD ORDER #BEP-B-94

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 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:

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. 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.

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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 comment were received during the written comment period which ended December 1, 1994.