After weeks of uncertainty, an agreement was reached for the Meadow Mall's electric vehicle charging stations at 185 Townsend Ave.  

As reported in the Register, the Boothbay Harbor planning board appealed to the board of appeals in August requesting that the project's July 17 permit be vacated and the matter be referred to them for review per town ordinance. In a letter, the planning board expressed concern that construction had been permitted by then-Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Dan Feeney without undergoing a site plan and shoreland zoning review. They cited § 170-61 (A), which states that construction or placement of a new structure for commercial use requires a site plan review.   

The board also believed the project should be evaluated for possible non-compliance with § 170- 101.10(B)(1) of the shoreland zoning ordinance, which requires that all new structures shall be set back at least 75 feet, horizontal distance, from the upland edge of a wetland. The letter notes that construction is adjacent to wetlands that border Highway 96 and Route 27 on the southwest corner of the Meadow Mall.   

As a project abutter, member Lisa Tholl recused herself from the planning board's appeal and later filed her own. 

The appeals board was to convene on Sept. 30, but the meeting was canceled due to the same-day agreement. According to Planning Board Chair Merritt Blakeslee, the board rescinded its appeal before the meeting. When asked why, Blakeslee said the information couldn't be disclosed to the public.  

The agreement parties included Lisa Tholl, Big Rib VIII LLC (Big Rib), owner and property permit holder; eCAMION USA, Inc. for Gridwealth EV, LLC, tenant and project operator; and Interim CEO Julia Latter.  

Per the document, the existing permit was vacated, and the project will go before the planning board for a site plan review in December. In the meantime, the charging station will continue to operate.  

The parties also acknowledged the agreement did not resolve or determine whether the shoreland zoning provisions apply to the project or not. Applicability may be raised during the site plan review process or other appropriate proceeding. 

The Register has sought comment from Lisa Tholl, Manager Andrew Gordon of Big Rib and Senior Manager Angelina Ablia of eCAMION USA, Inc.