Letter to the Editor

Voting No on 3

Wed, 04/24/2019 - 8:00am

Dear Editor:

In December 2017, the BBH Planning Board agreed to entertain a plan to rezone the Eastside (drafted by private consultant Dan Bacon on behalf of the Maritime District’s largest property owner).

The DEP’s initial response to the plan (Jan. 3, 2018) included: “It is a weird scenario here having a consultant proposing ordinance amendments to the town and the DEP. “

“My perspective is that the town should determine what they want first and then start taking suggestions from the outside that way your goals are clear and concise.”

On January 5, 2018, the DEP was blunter: “I think you should figure out what the town would like to do before negotiating with Dan Bacon on what they want for his project.”

The Planning Board did not heed the DEP recommendations. Many months later, the property owner’s attorney and other supporters argued vehemently that height increase had already been “negotiated” in exchange for “view corridors”.

Mr. Bacon was appointed to the planning board advisory work group and was a leader who repeatedly emailed other group members between meetings detailing what he felt was “needed,” “required” and “critical” for redevelopment.

Not surprisingly, the Advisory Group’s final recommendations were extremely aggressive (including condos, the elimination of the ENTIRE Maritime District and new construction close to the water).  Friends of the Harbor was formed in response.

We agreed with the DEP that the process had been irregular and also believed that the proposals were illegal for contradicting the Comprehensive Plan and violated Shoreland Zoning statutes.

The Maine DEP ultimately rejected the most aggressive provisions. The town attorney also determined that the proposed zoning was in violation of our Comprehensive Plan.  The planning board immediately pivoted to the current two zone plan.

Increasing public access to the Harbor was a stated top goal of East Side rezoning. That goal REMAINS UNMET. A successful park/marina effort by the Waterfront Preservation Group might soon ensure that the East Side can be fully redeveloped with meaningful public access for all, REGARDLESS OF MEANS.

However, with public park/marina success still uncertain, I’ll be voting “NO” on #3.

George Craig

Boothbay Harbor