BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Planning Board on Tuesday night provided requested recommendations to the town council regarding tax-acquired, waterfront property at 946 Mere Point Road.

The board voted unanimously on a draft proposal drawn up by Planning Board Chairman Charlie Frizzle and Planning Director Anna Breinich.

When presenting the draft, Frizzle corrected previous misconceived comments from the public that the property is “residentially” zoned. Frizzle clarified that the property exists in the Coastal Protection 1 Zoning District. In this designated zone, Frizzle said there may be a single-family home, but there may also be a convenience store, club, lodge or an inn.

“Private ownership is no guarantee of residential development is essentially what we’re trying to say here,” Frizzle said.

Brunswick resident Richard Knox noted nine water access points in town besides the Mere Point property. He noted there are limits on the uses of seven of the town-owned access points, owing to factors such as marshlands. Other access points are limited to boaters, such as the Mere Point boat launch.

Town Councilor Steve Walker also addressed the board, pointing to research he did prior to the opening of the Mere Point boat launch. Most of the waterfront in the town, Walker said, is unsuitable for water access points. Of those with any suitability, there is only one undeveloped lot in town and that lot has steeper slopes and a resident eagle nest.

Walker made the point that there aren’t many choices if the town wants to seek out other water access points.

“This would be a strategic acquisition for the town. They’re not making any more deep water frontage — all that’s out there is built out and would be very expensive,” Walker said.

The public comment led to more discussion about the town’s comprehensive plan regarding the maintenance of and seeking further water access points, leading to slight rewording of the recommendations to the town council.

Should the town retain ownership of the property, the recommendations of the board would be to bear in mind that a special permit would not be required for use of the land, because the property does not fall within the Residential or Town Residential district.

The board also said that any municipal use of the land must comply with dimensional and density standards of the Coastal Protection 1 District.

Also, any nonresidential use will need a change of use permit and may need to go through the development review process.

The recommendation was made that consideration be given to relocating the existing access to a more centralized location on the property as well as other neighborhood protections, such as cut-off lighting and off-street parking.

Finally, the recommendation was made that any change of use must be in compliance with the Natural Resource Protection Zone standards.

If the town decides to sell the property, the board recommends establishing protective covenants for a grave at the site, as part of conveyance documents, as well as protection of wildlife habitat.

The board also recommends dedicating sale proceeds and future taxes from the parcel to improving the utilization of existing town-owned facilities or acquisition of new waterfront properties.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

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