Washburn & Doughty wants to ease the housing crunch by supplying employee lodging. On June 15, sisters Kristin Doughty Danaher and Katie Doughty Maddox sought guidance from the Boothbay Planning Board about converting office space on Church Street into a residential unit housing four to six people. The sisters are daughters of Bruce Doughty, one of the shipyard’s founders. 

The office building was first a residential unit owned by Hodgdon Yachts. Washburn & Doughty bought it several years ago. Doughty Danaher reported the building is a two-story, 2,368 square foot free-standing residence.  The company wants to reconfigure it into four to six single bedrooms with employees sharing a common kitchen, living space and two bathrooms. Doughty Danaher added there were no plans to change the building’s footprint.  “As you know housing is becoming harder to come by,” she said. “The lack of housing is preventing workers from accepting positions with us, whether it’s short- or long-term. So we’re here looking for guidance in what kind of application we need.”

Board Chairman Bill Wright suggested a minor development review application. He added the board would need to review increased sewer generation created by the change of use. “We would also want to see a parking layout, lighting and buffering plans,” Wright said. 

The property is zoned in maritime, commercial and shoreline overlay districts.

In other action, the board conditionally approved an application for an amended subdivision lot line. Boothbay Region Surveyors’ David Tonry represented clients Stephen and Eleanor Alley of Boothbay. The couple sought an amended lot line so they could convey a plot to David and Angela Alley. The request was approved unanimously with a provision requiring a revised plot plan. The condition requires showing the property conveyed into a single lot. The property is on West Wind Drive in a residential zone. 

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 in the conference room.