Planning Board approves certificate of amendment allowing 300‑sq‑ft decks at Forest Village North

The Town of Wells Planning Board voted unanimously June 1 to approve a certificate of amendment for Forest Village North condominium that clarifies what unit owners may add to their units without requiring subdivision amendments.

Michael, speaking for planning staff, explained that the amendment would allow up to a 300‑square‑foot deck, ground‑level patios, generators and walkways if owners meet existing buffer and setback requirements and condominium association approvals. He said the property is well below lot‑coverage limits in its zones and that the changes would be recorded at the registry via a certificate of amendment rather than generating separate plans for each unit.

A unit owner’s request spurred the proposal, but the amendment was framed as a general clarification to make future minor additions administratively straightforward. The board also voted that a separate sidewalk determination was unnecessary and that a public hearing was not required; the chairman was authorized to sign the certificate.

The board noted that any additions remain subject to code‑office review and existing buffer determinations and that the condominium association retains internal approval authority for changes to limited common elements.

Next steps: staff will record the certificate of amendment and update plan notes to reflect setback, buffer and condominium association conditions.