For Lisa Burnham, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Burnham received Boothbay Planning Board approval May 15 to create a campground on her Pension Ridge Road property. Last summer, she assisted friends find housing during the tourist season by allowing them to park their recreational vehicles at her vacant lot. Burnham owns the property, which formerly had a house. The house was lost in an April 2017 fire. Despite that, the property still had sewer and power.

The friends “camped out” on her lot without a problem until Code Enforcement Officer Dan Feeney contacted Burnham about another “camper” unknown to Burnham. “At that point, I was notified I need a change of use for a campground,” she said.

In April, she participated in a pre-application meeting with the planning board. Her property is in a Rural Mixed Use District and she requested a change of use to a campground. She received unanimous approval for three campers or recreational vehicles. Board Chairman Bruce Bowler told her if she wanted a fourth spot, she would need to submit another application.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20. The date was changed from June 19 due to its falling on a federal holiday.