Vassalboro planners approve two shoreland expansions

by Mary Grow

At their Oct. 1 meeting, Vassalboro Planning Board members unanimously approved two applications to expand buildings in shoreland zones.

Bryan Moore may make an addition to his year-round home at 152 Park Lane, in the Three Mile Pond shoreland; and James and Karyn Darby may add a new bedroom to their Webber Pond camp.

Each building is less than 50 feet from the respective lake. Neither addition will decrease the distance to the water.

Planning board members complimented both applicants on their thorough applications.

Review of Moore’s application took more time, because the building has a complicated history in relation to the town’s shoreland ordinance. He explained that he intends to remove an addition by a former owner, under different regulations, to make his proposed change meet current requirements.

The allowable expansion depends on the size of the building, and the rules for establishing the size have changed, from floor area (which includes a second-story floor) to footprint (the area of ground covered). Calculators appeared as Moore and board members subtracted and added square footage.

Board members briefly discussed trees cut to make room for the addition – more than expected, Moore said, because the arborist found rotten ones. They decided Moore does not need to replace the trees.

The Darbys’ proposal to add a room on the back of their camp was uncomplicated and took less time to gain approval.