**ATTENTION**

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine 04009

207-647-8786

**ATTENTION**

BOARD OF APPEALS APPLICANTS

The fee for filing an application with the Board Of Appeals is $50.00. In addition to this fee, a $100.00 escrow deposit will be required.

The escrow deposit is used to cover certified mailings and advertising. Unused funds will be returned to the applicant at the conclusion of the review process.

If the processing fees for an application exceeds the $100.00 amount, the applicant will be notified that an additional amount will be required before the review process is allowed to continue.

When filling out the application all questions must be answered in order for the application to be considered complete. If a question is not applicable, please state why it is not applicable.

In addition, a sketch plan of the property must accompany this application showing dimensions and shape of the lot, the size and location of existing buildings, the location and dimensions of proposed buildings or alterations, and any natural or topographic peculiarities of the lot in question.

Applicant must submit fifteen (15) copies of this application including any back-up information relative to the appeal.

Applicant must contact all abutting property owners by certified mail with return recipt notifying them of the administrative or variance appeal application. A copy of the letter must be submitted with the application. The signed return receipts from the abutters are to be submitted to the secretary of the Appeals Board upon receipt.

Applicant and/or representative of the applicant should be present at hearing.

TOWN OF BRIDGTON

Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine 04009

207-647-8786

VARIANCE APPEAL

APPLICANT'S NAME: ___________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________________________________________________

OWNER(S) NAME: ______________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________________________________________________

MAP & LOT: __________________________________________________________

LOCATION OF PROEPRTY WHICH IS SUBJECT OF APPEAL: ___________________

________ A Variance Appeal

a. Please describe in detail the facts surrounding this appeal, what you think is wrong about the decision which you are appealing, and what action you want the Board of Appeals to take in this matter. If additional space is needed, please continue on a separate sheet of paper and attach it to this application.

___________________________________________________________________________

b. Justification of Variance: In order for a variance to be granted, the appellant must demonstrate to the Board of Appeals that the strict application of the terms of the zoning ordinance would cause undue hardship. There are four criteria which must be met before that Board of Appeals can find that a hardship exists. Please explain how your situation meets each of these criteria listed below:

1. The land in question cannot yield a reasonable return unless the variance is granted.

___________________________________________________________________________

2. The need for a variance is due to the unique circumstances of the property and not to the general conditions in the neighborhood.

___________________________________________________________________________

3. The granting of a variance will not alter the essential character of the locality.

___________________________________________________________________________

4. The hardship is not the result of action taken by the appellant or a prior owner.

___________________________________________________________________________

EXISTING USE OF SITE: _____________________________________________________

ZONING DISTRICT: __________________________________________________________

SIZE OF LOT: ______________________________________________________________

LIST WHETHER THIS IS A NEW OR EXISTING BUILDING: __________________________

SIZE OF EXISTING BUILDING (IF APPLICABLE): ________________________________

PROPOSED SIZE OF NEW BUILDING (IF APPLICABLE): ____________________________

PROPOSED SIZE OF ADDITION/EXPANSION: ______________________________________

SETBACK OF PROPOSED BUILDING FROM NORMAL HIGH WATER LINE: _________________

SETBACK OF PROPOSED EXPANSION FROM NORMAL HIGH WATER LINE: ________________

SETBACK OF PROPOSED BUILDING FROM ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS: _______________

SETBACK OF PROPOSED EXPANSION FROM ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS: ______________

SETBACK OF PROPOSED BUILDING FROM ROADS: __________________________________

SETBACK OF PROPOSED EXPANSION FROM ROADS: _________________________________

NATURE OF VARIANCE (REASON FOR REQUEST). Variances may be granted only from dimensional requirements including but not limited to, lot size (square footage per dwelling unit, etc.), lot width, structure height, percent of lot coverage, and setback requirements and the road construction standards.

The undersigned hereby applies for a variance which is the setting aside of one or more requirements of the applicable Bridgton Ordinance(s) and is equivalent to permission to not comply with one or more Ordinance provisions.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: When the Owner of the property or his authorized agent makes formal application for a variance, his/her application shall contain at least the following exhibits and information:

1. Application.

______ a. a fully executed and signed application for a variance.

______ b. Title, Right or Interest. A copy of the landowner's deed to the property must be attached and the applicant must establish title, right or interest in the property. If application is made by someone other than the landowner(s), then an agreement between the applicant and the landowner must authorize the applicant to act as the landowner's agent

and must be attached. Also, all landowner(s) associated with the property must be notified in writing regarding this application and a copy of this notification must be attached.

______ c. Names and addresses of all owners of record of all abutting property.

______ d. A completed "Justification For Variance Form" which is signed by the applicant.

2. Map Requirements.

______ a. Original features and proposed vegetative cutting, re- vegetation, earthmoving, roadways, drainage and structures (proposed and existing); fences and walls, including all landscaping and screening and indicating existing trees to be retained and areas to be left undisturbed shall be submitted.

______ b. Current zoning boundaries and 100-year floodplain boundaries including surrounding areas to a distance of 300 feet from the perimeter of the site. (A copy of the Town tax map will suffice)

______ c. Easements; rights-of-way, existing, planned or proposed; or other reservations adjacent to or intersection the property.

______ d. Location of watercourses, aquifers and aquifer recharge areas, wetlands, marshes, surface water, rock outcroppings, wooded areas and areas of significant tree growth.

______ e. A sketch plan of the property showing the dimensions and shape of the lot, the size and locations of existing buildings, the locations and dimensions of proposed building/additions or alterations. (This means you must show where the new building or new addition is going to be located to show compliance with the setback requirements of the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

______ f. A statement on the map of the amount of area of land involoved in the site, the percentage of the site proposed to be covered by buildings, the total number of dwelling units proposed.

The best of my knowledge, all informtion submitted in this application is true and correct.

Dated: ________________________ _________________________________

Applicant

SAMPLE LETTER

ABUTTER NOTIFICATION

Date:

Subject Property Location:

Map __________

Lot __________

To:

This is to inform you that I am submitting an application to the Bridgton Board of Appeals for a _______________________________________.

The Board of Appeals will begin review of the application on Thursday __________________________ at 7:15p.m. The meeting will be held at the Bridgton Town Office, Three Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine. Enclosed please find a sketch of the proposed project and location.

An application is also on file at the Bridgton Town Office for further review. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at _______________________________. You may also contact Robert Baker, Code Enforcement Officer, or Georgiann Fleck, Secretary, at the Bridgton Town Office, 207-647-8786.

Sincerely,

_________________________________

ABUTTERS

Map/Lot	Property Address	Owner	Mailing Address