The Edgecomb Planning Board unanimously approved a building permit for a honeymoon cottage during their Aug. 10 meeting. Design Studio Leader Julien Jalbert of Knickerbocker Group represented Mark and Kathleen Eldridge of Reading, Massachusetts. 

The cottage is for a wedding next summer for the Eldridges’ daughter. Jalbert explained the cottage includes one bedroom and one bathroom. The proposal also includes constructing an access road and driveway. “Their oldest daughter is getting married next summer. It will also be used as a guest house for friends and family in future years,” Jalbert said. The cottage will have a kitchenette, mini-fridge and microwave oven, but no stove. “The thinking is guests wouldn’t prepare their own meals, but rather need something there for snacks,” Jalbert said. The property is in the shoreland zone.

The board tabled a second application. Sue Ventura is seeking approval to build a cottage in the shoreland zone for her Modockawando Trail property. Board Chairman Rebecca Graham said Ventura was unable to present her plans at this time. 

In other action, members discussed simplifying the application process and posting changes on the municipal website. The board also discussed what constitutes a change of use. Code Enforcement Officer George Chase questioned whether the new owner of the former Pyro City Maine building on Route One would need a site plan review if it remained a retail store. “Why would it need a change of use permit if it remains retail,” he said.

Board secretary Jackie Lowell explained if a building changed ownership from “sewing shop to sewing shop” then there was no change of use. “But if it becomes a different business, that would make it a change of use,” she said.

The board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 in the municipal conference room.