By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

Initial discussion regarding higher density in residential growth zones and the addition of sewer to core commercial areas in West Kennebunk Village led to more questions than answers and little direction on what to do next.
A Kennebunk Planning Board workshop Monday with the West Kennebunk Village Committee and the Economic Development Committee allowed all three groups and the public to share views on the expansion of  sewer service and what that would mean for future growth west of the turnpike.
The board is considering rezoning one of three “growth areas” as identified in the town’s Comprehensive Plan, while at the same time looking to run a sewer line through a core commercial area in West Kennebunk.
“Growth areas really need public water and sewer to grow as they were intended,” said Town Planner Judy Bernstein.
Growth area “A” is south of the Mousam River and runs on both sides of Cat Mousam Road. Area “B” is north of West Kennebunk village connecting Thompson Road to Alewive Road. Area “C” has been named as a new possible growth area and is northwest of Area “B” and runs along Mousam River up to Alfred Road.
“Sooner or later growth areas A and B will get sewer. If we can get it to the commercial core – that’s going to be expensive enough – perhaps that will allow some developers or people who want to develop in residential areas surrounding it to bring the sewer out bit by bit,” said Bernstein.  
Board members agreed growth area B was most likely to be rezoned first because it already had sidewalks, a fire station and the makings of a village center, but nothing was finalized.
A questionnaire handed out during the workshop solicited public feedback on which area should be the first to receive the new zoning, whether to extend the public sewer to serve West Kennebunk village and what changes to lot sizes and village design standards could be considered with the higher density and elimination of septic systems.
The questionnaires are still available at Kennebunk Town Hall for further citizen feedback.
The growth areas designated in the Comprehensive Plan and at the meeting are for residential growth, not business growth, but discussion quickly turned to whether or not citizens in West Kennebunk want the sewer line.
Residents expressed wariness over the costs and benefits of no longer managing their own sewage versus paying the sewer district for service.
“They’re [residents in West Kennebunk] going to want to know how much it will cost per head. If they don’t think they’re going to have to pay for it all, you’ll get support. I think you can change their minds,” said West Kennebunk resident Sondra Shields.
The amount of waste a septic system can handle is limited to the size of a septic system and its leech field, which affects the minimum size of property lots. Sewer systems generally allow more building density.
Most of the West Kennebunk area uses well water and septic systems except for Kennebunk Elementary School, Kennebunk Middle School, the fire station and a few other buildings.
This capacity and size limitations of septic systems also can affect business growth.
“One man looked into putting new septic in [at Old Cummings Market]. It was going to cost him $25,000. There were two restaurants that were interested but it cost so much to work on the building they decided to back down,” said Barbara Weeman, a business owner in West Kennebunk and West Kennebunk Village Committee member.
Upgrading individual septic systems may be expensive, but adding a new sewer line is as well.
The questionnaire outlined different possibilities to pay for the new line, including asking future developers to pay as they build or accessing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.
 “We talk about TIF funds like the federal government talks about bailouts,” said Planning Board Chairman Richard Smith.
“Before you ask residents in West [Kennebunk] to pay, you have to know what you’re asking. You need some kind of idea or they’re going to think your doing the whole section of town,” said Al Searles, West Kennebunk resident and Kennebunk selectman.
“A lot of people are going to ask the cost. The information will be misleading and wrong if you don’t know exactly what it is you’re going to do.”
Other topics of discussion prompted by the expansion came from Economic Development Committee Chairman Robert Georgitis, who wants to change the sewer district to a sanitary district. This would allow the possibility of smaller lot sizes in West Kennebunk and the town could have a final say without taking expansions and changes to legislators in Augusta.
Many residents at the meeting were opposed to the possibility of smaller lot sizes.
Bernstein disagreed.
“If we follow traditional pattern, lot sizes were 7,000 or 8,000 square feet. If you want to create villages like what they used to look like, encourage smaller lot sizes,” Bernstein said.
“I believe we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” said Weeman. “All I want is business out there.”
“Nothing is set in stone yet, obviously there’s going to be more meetings with the community,” said Caroline Segalla, director of community development, planning and codes.
 
Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.