Vassalboro News: Planners approve two of three applications

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members approved two of the three permit applications on their Dec. 6 agenda.

By unanimous votes, they issued site review permits to:

• Leo Barnett for an indoor growing facility for medical marijuana in a building to be put up on Old Meadow Road off Riverside Drive; and
• Daniel Charest for three additions for commercial storage on his multi-use building at 8 Cushnoc Road.

The board was unable to grant an after-the-fact permit for Brenda Pinkham’s deck on her camp at 119 Pleasant Point Road, because the building is already closer to the high-water mark than allowed and, board Chairman Virginia Brackett said, expansion toward the water is therefore prohibited. Board members agreed that a stairway no more than four feet wide can be built to allow water access, with a permit from the codes officer. They let remain the roof on a side deck, also added without a permit, with the condition that the deck is not to be enclosed.

Barnett’s application generated discussion about whether it was for the building only or for the business for which the building is designed. By the end of the discussion, Brackett and fellow board member Douglas Phillips, who have both been on the board for many years, told Barnett the permit covered the proposed business.

Neighbors again attended the meeting to voice concerns about possible effects. Board members found Barnett’s project meets all criteria in Vassalboro’s ordinance. For both Barnett and Charest, the board required a fence around any dumpster on the property, in an effort to keep children from getting hurt.