The Boothbay Harbor Planning Board approved three applications May 9.

Pete Ripley acted as spokesperson for Seascape Investment LLC at 295 Townsend Ave. The applicant proposes to construct one 6,480 square-foot building for retail space, a 9,504 square-foot building for general storage, and an 18,048 square-foot building for boat storage.

Most of the discussion focused on where storm water would go. Ripley directed these questions to civil engineer Stephen Roberge from SJR Engineering, Inc. in Augusta. Roberge explained, a soil media pond would be constructed before work begins. “When it rains, it holds water, and dries out within a couple of days. A filter media, made up of sand, gravel, and blended soils, drains the water down into an under drain system, where it discharges into a stream,” Roberge said. About 95 percent of the site water will go into the pond. One percent will flow into a rain garden near the road entrance, and the remaining water will flow outside, said Roberge.

Selectman Mike Tomko, sitting in the audience, asked Roberge about the life span of the pond.

Roberge said he wasn't sure, as the soil media pond was developed only about six years ago. But he added, the pond could be rejuvenated by removing silt on top of the filter and rototilling the filter media back to life. Ripley said the storm water system will be monitored on a monthly basis.

He told the board Seascape plans to dig the three foundations and construct the retail building this summer and fall, then seal it up for the winter.

The board approved the application, with the condition that plans state that a wooden handrail originally depicted on drawings will be replaced by a four-foot increase in the height of a retaining wall.

Melissa Neel represented PGC3, LLC on an application for the 6 Bay Street property. “We're proposing a tear-down and rebuild,” she told the board. Initial blueprints submitted prior to the meeting showed a large clapboard house with a granite, above-ground basement. The building will be used for employee housing and will be empty six months of the year, Neel said. Nine parking spaces are planned.

Finally, Boothbay Harbor Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith represented Ken and Mary McCormac of 81 McKown Point Road, who were seeking to extend their porch six feet, parallel to the shore, and no closer to water. The application met code and ordinance criteria and was approved.

 The board meets next at 7 p.m. June 14 at the town office.