A difference of opinion regarding the interpretation of Southport’s zoning ordinances resulted in the planning board tabling an application requesting to demolish and rebuild a cabin. On Aug. 3, the board reviewed Jeffrey Suyematsu’s and Elaine Hebert’s application for demolishing their cabin and rebuilding it in another space. The planning board believed a new application was required, but the applicant disagreed. Suyematsu and Herbert live in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and represented by architect Julien Jalbert of the Knickerbocker Group and attorney Mary Costigan. She maintained a new application was only required if the cottage was built in the same footprint. “That’s not what we are doing. We are moving it,” Costigan said. 

Chairman Skip Simonds responded the board received a legal opinion from their attorney Sally Daggett who advised them the ordinance required a new application for demolishing and rebuilding a cottage. “I don’t claim to be a lawyer, but we received an opinion from Sally. And that’s what we going with,” he said.

The board offered two options. One was withdrawing the application or tabling it. Simonds reported if the application wasn’t reconsidered within 60 days it would automatically be denied.

In other action, the board approved a building permit for the Reck Family Children’s Trust. Architect Tobias Gabranski represented the trust which sought approval for expanding a bedroom into a master bedroom suite. The applicant also received approval for constructing a 15-foot by 34-foot shed, and two bay window additions to their existing cottage. Gabranski said the shed will house work and powder rooms, an entry foyer, and closet storage space. He reported there would be no additional bedrooms included and no trees removed. 

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel. The planning board’s next meeting is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7 in the town hall.