Boothbay Harbor’s planning board on July 10 continued to review a minor subdivision at the former Beach Cove Waterfront Inn on Lakeview Road. The proposal was first brought to the board in April.  

The proposed project is a four-lot subdivision at the former inn, which burned down in 2022. Most of the four-hour meeting July 10 was spent reviewing the application, mostly about items brought up by planning board member Merritt Blakeslee. 

“Speaking only for myself, I would like only for this property to be subdivided and not the bombscape it is now,” Blakeslee said. “I think we can work with you on that. I think we differ with you on some points, I don't think they are points we couldn't come to an agreement on.” 

Blakeslee expressed concerns, mostly around protecting West Harbor Pond. According to Blakeslee, who is also president of West Harbor Pond Waterfront Association, the pond is a significant natural resource, notably an important alewife spawning area. He also said Maine Department of Environmental Protection identifies the pond as threatened due to phosphorus risks and put it on a list of lakes most at risk from new development. 

He raised concerns about issues that could impact pond health, including stormwater management and phosphorus control. Other neighbors have voiced similar concerns. Blakeslee proposed that provisions for a phosphorus and groundwater control plan be the subdivider’s responsibility rather than the subsequent purchaser, and that the applicant pay for an erosion control, stormwater runoff and phosphorus control plan from an independent expert. No one seconded either motion.

In addition, board members expressed concerns around fire protection, public water and public sewer. 

Surveyor Nicholas Plumer, representing owner/applicant Edgewater Plus, Inc., said he thought many of the concerns had already been addressed according to ordinance, best management practices and the law. He said the plan included enough vegetation to deal with stormwater and phosphorus issues, which he said go hand in hand. Plumer said he came looking for guidance on ways to move forward on an ecologically responsible path, and he is willing to make the necessary changes. However, he said his client wishes to withdraw the application if the project cannot be approved soon. 

“I hope that my client still wants to move forward as a reality and, if not, (the property) may just sit there as a sore,” Plumer said. He added,  his client is willing to make improvements and proceed with conditional approval. 

The board requested Plumer return with a letter from the water, fire and sewer departments explicitly stating their approval of the plan; and the board requested several town requirements be explicitly be put on the plan.

In other business, applicants from Conley’s Garden Center asked to be removed from the agenda, according to Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith. As reported in the Register, Conley’s was found in violation of the land use code in March 2023. Smith said the applicants had an on-site visit July 2 with the planning board and have hired a surveyor to help proceed. Smith added, the applicants plan to apply for site plan approval in August.