08/20/2013

Work on draft 2013 update to Greenbelt Plan nearing completion

The Cape Elizabeth Conservation Commission is laboring to complete the draft Greenbelt Plan so that it can be sent to the Town Council. They have discussed the public comment that has been received and will be continuing with a review of the greenbelt document and potential trail links.

Conservation Commission meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month in Town Hall.

Two Lights Trail

Many of the public comments express concern with how the greenbelt trails may expand. The most recent draft includes case studies of how trails have been expanded since the 2001 Greenbelt Plan was adopted.

The second case study features the Two Lights Trail. The Two Lights Trail extends from Two Lights Road, across from the strawberry field, east to the Broad Cove trails. The 1980s Spinnaker Heights Subdivision included a 15-foot wide pedestrian easement extending from Two Lights Road and dead-ending at land occupied by St. Bartholomew’s Church. The back corner includes a picturesque pond. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland granted the town a five-year easement around the pond that connected the Spinnaker Heights easement to Highlands Subdivision open space.

When the 2001 Greenbelt Plan was adopted, one of the five priorities was the St. Bartholomew's easement because it would expire if a trail was not constructed within five years. An abutter, who operates a preschool in her home, objected to the trail connection. Objections made at the time included:

• Complete loss of privacy
• Parents concerned with safety of school
• People already use another trail nearby
• No way to create a buffer
• Question the sincerity of the Conservation Commission to minimize the impact of the trails on homeowners
• Easements are not easily obtained; do not let the easement lapse

In 2013, the trail boardwalk was reconstructed in a partnership with the Boy Scouts. The comment from the preschool was “We are so lucky to have them [trails] right behind our school to enjoy every day.”

Future Conservation Commission meetings

The Conservation Commission is continuing to accept emails and letters, also allows 15 minutes of public comment at the beginning of each meeting. When the commission completes the draft Greenbelt Plan, it will be forwarded to the Town Council for consideration.

For more information, please contact Town Planner Maureen O'Meara, 207-799-0115.