The Boothbay Planning Board voted 4-0 April 20 to remove outdoor seating restrictions at The Watershed Tavern. In 2012, the board placed six restrictions on The Vintage House, Inc. owned by Win and Lori Mitchell when they added The Watershed Tavern to their existing 301 Adams Pond Road businesses: Boothbay Craft Brewery and a camping site.

The Watershed Tavern has a capacity of 45 indoor seats. Now, The Watershed Tavern can provide outdoor seating for at least 85 more patrons, according to Mitchell’s proposal. Win Mitchell convinced the board his site has enough parking and bathroom facilities to accommodate more patrons.

In 2012, the Mitchells agreed to the outdoor seating ban. Last week, Win Mitchell persuaded the board the ban wasn’t necessary. He explained The Watershed Tavern was located in a commercial zone and outdoor seating was an approved use.

“There were a lot of concerns about what we were doing when we opened so I agreed to the conditions,” he said. “But we were told we could come back and revisit the issue. That’s what we’re doing now.”

Resident Mike Wallace’s property borders the Mitchells’ business which operates the tavern, brewery and campground. He urged the board not to remove the ban.

“The conditions put on the business enables us to peacefully enjoy our property. I don’t know how adding 50 more seats this close to my house is going to allow us to peacefully enjoy our property,” Wallace said.

The board removed only the restriction against outdoor seating from the Mitchells’ original application. Five other restrictions including a ban against amplified music remain.

The Mitchells withdrew a similar request last year after the board recommended more parking and bathroom spaces. This year, Win Mitchell enlisted the aid of Boothbay Code Enforcement Officer Art Dunlap, who determined the property had plenty of facilities for outdoor seating without any alterations.

Wallace told the board he didn’t agree with its decision.

“Contrary to popular belief, this is not a personal issue. I’m just trying to protect what I got,” he said. “At this point, it’s becoming harder to swallow being a Boothbay taxpayer.”

In other action, the board approved two wharves and wiers applications. Consultant Joe LeBlanc represented two clients who submitted plans to build piers, ramps and floats at their seasonal homes.

The board approved Robert and Elaine McCoy’s request to build a pressure-treated wooden six- by 55-foot pier with a three-by 40-foot aluminum ramp along with a pressure treated wooden 10-by 20-foot float, and a 10-by 40-foot timber frame float haul out. The McCoys live in Manchester, Massachusetts and own property at 11 Hodgdon Lane.

The board also approved a similar request by Janet Clark of Bradford, New Hampshire. Clark asked to construct a pressure-treated wooden six-by 40-foot pier, a three-by-36-foot aluminum ramp, a 10-by-20-foot float with two pressure treated wooden pilings, and a 10-by-40-foot timber frame haul out. Her property is located at 24 Tecumseh Trail in East Boothbay.

The board nominated Alan Bellows as the new chairman. He replaces Fran McBrearty who resigned last month. The board also made Melinda Browne a regular member. Browne previously served as an alternate.

The board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4 in the municipal building.