For a Shore Road applicant, the numbers simply didn’t add up on March 21 resulting in the Boothbay Planning Board tabling the application. The board voted 5-0 to recommend the applicant recalculate square footage regarding a proposal to remove two sheds and replace them with a single barn. 

Robert and Maureen Driscoll submitted an application for their 5 Shore Road property. In reviewing the application, the board concluded square footage calculations for the already non-conforming property exceeded limitations for buildable area and lot coverage.

The Driscolls, who live in Milton, Massachusetts, want to locate the new 20-foot by 24-foot barn away from the property line and, according to the application, make it more conforming to local ordinances.

After reviewing square footage numbers, board members concluded total lot coverage would be 21.9 percent of square footage, which exceeds the 20 percent limit, and the buildable area square footage is nearly 59 percent which exceeds the 50 percent limitation.

The board requested Craig Barter, who represented the Driscolls, recalculate square footage calculations and resubmit the application.

But mathematical problems aren’t the only problem facing the applicant. The board also heard from an abutter’s attorney who reported his clients were involved in a property dispute with the Driscolls. Portland attorney Christopher Azar of Drummond & Drummond addressed the board regarding the dispute.

Azar represents Richard and Barbara Maloney of 5 Osprey Ledge. The dispute is over a right of way access to the property. According to Azar, the Driscoll property is separated from the right of way by a small parcel the Maloneys own. All previous resolution attempts failed according to Azar, who requested the board delay approving the application.

“The Maloneys request the planning board not permit an expansion of use on the Driscoll property, to the extent that use requires access over the Maloney property, until the issue is resolved,” said Azar.

But the board declined to delay a vote over a disputed right of way. “The right of way access is a civil matter, and something we don’t decide,” Chairman Alan Bellows said. All five board members voted to consider the application.

In other action, the Boothbay Region YMCA discussed plans for improving its Camp Knickerbocker site. Since 2015, the Y and the Boothbay Region Water District have been developing a plan to address erosion problems the 157 Barters Island Road campsite. The water district hired Knox Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District to develop the erosion control plan and the Y did the work with the help of water district grant money. The road and ditch improvements and other erosion control work have been completed, with only some planting to be done. All that work was done under a DEP permit and did not require planning board approval.

The Y now wants to construct a new restroom and changing area for the campsite. The structure would include four new restrooms and four changing rooms.

Camp Knickerbocker is in the water reservoir district. The Y needs board approval because Camp Knickerbocker is an existing non-conforming structure. Expansion in the district is prohibited unless the developer demonstrates changes would not negatively impact the local environment or drinking water supply.

During the meeting, Knickerbocker Group senior architect designer Randy Smith discussed building a new restroom and changing room structure and installing a new septic system. 

The new facility will also make for a better summer experience for campers. It replaces outhouses used in past summers. The new facility will also accommodate more campers.

“We’ve had to turn away campers in past years, but this plan helps us accommodate more kids,” BRYMCA Executive Director Andy Hamblett said.

BRYMCA officials expect to submit an application in April.

This article has been updated