This fall, Ocean Point Casino will be getting a new look, make that an old look, as the trustees will return the colony’s main structure to its original appearance. On Feb. 20, the Boothbay Planning Board unanimously approved a plan to replace the casino, rebuild two Har-Tru clay tennis courts and construct a multi-sport play area consisting of basketball and pickleball courts. Ocean Point Trustees began planning a major renovation in 2011. The casino was built in 1905 and rebuilt in 1974, after a fire.

Ocean Point officials reported the building was reconstructed “hastily” and didn’t resemble the original design. For the past 44 years, the casino has remained mostly unchanged, and the trustees plan to give it and surrounding grounds a major renovation. Trustees plan on spending over $1 million on the project. They plan to start the project in September and finish by July 2020.

The casino is used mostly by community members for pancake breakfasts, chicken barbecues, children’s games and activities, arts and crafts, and Italian dinners. The trustees expect these activities to continue. The building holds up to 295, and is rented out three to four times per year, according to trustees.  Inside, the casino will retain its current set-up of a kitchen, community space, storage room, reading room and a program director’s office. The biggest change would be adding a second bathroom.

The casino grounds would see a major alteration. The three tennis courts would be reduced to two and replaced by the multi-sport play area and playground. On Jan. 16, trustees met with the planning board for a pre-application hearing. The casino is a non-conforming structure on a non-conforming lot so the proposal required planning board approval. During the hearing, board members made several recommendations for adhering to municipal ordinances.

On Feb. 20, trustees presented their application with the board’s feedback. The trustees’ revised plan includes moving tennis and multi-purpose courts away from the south property line to comply with a setback requirement. The revision also identified a lot adjacent to South Street for handicap parking.

In other action, the board approved two other applications including a change of use for a former wood pellet business. In December 2018, Erik Carlson of Edgecomb ended his fledgling wood pellet business due to high electrical costs. He will now convert his plant at 16 Chippah Way into a firewood processing operation.

The other approval was for constructing a float for William and Lisa Cloutier of West Newbury, Massachusetts. The applicants want a float for their seasonal residence at 373 Barters Island Road. The board unanimously approved their request for building a 4 foot by 20 foot sloped access ramp connected to a 65 foot by 6 foot pier with a 40 foot by 3 foot runway to a 10 foot by 30 foot float parallel to shore.

The board also heard two pre-application proposals. Colby & Gale, a Damariscotta fuel provider, proposed a change of use for 654 Wiscasset Road. General Manager Troy Sawyer wants to use the location as a propane fill station satellite office. Colby & Gale wants to buy the property, renovate two buildings and install a 500 to 1,000 gallon propane tank. Sawyer envisions the bulk of business would be for barbecue grill tanks. Half the property is in the watershed district. Board members advised if the tank was not in the watershed district, the use is allowed.

Board approval is not required for the proposal. Sawyer was advised he needed to submit a building permit and receive the code enforcement officer’s approval.

The Knickerbocker Group represented potential applicant Andrew Cozzi regarding adding a garage to his 11 Wendells Way property. The proposed structure would be a one-car garage connecting to a master bath which would provide an entrance into the cottage. The proposal would eliminate a bathroom in the master bedroom and move it to the new location. The Knickerbocker Group plans on submitting an application after a survey is completed. The consultant indicated an application would be filed in time for the April board meeting.

Lester and Rod Spear are two local sales and manufacturing representatives interested in leasing or buying the former Pinkham’s Seafood Store building on 798 Wiscasset Road. The Spears sell fudge and apparel to local businesses. They proposed using the building to make and sell popcorn and fudge. The board advised them a change of use request wasn’t required. The building has been vacant for about four months. If the Spears submit an application before it’s been vacant for a year, planning board approval won't be necessary.

The Spears will move forward and negotiate an agreement with property owner Alan Baldwin of Boothbay. The Spears hope to open their new venture in May.

The board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 in the municipal conference room.