Boothbay Harbor seeks to protect working waterfront
Photo / Renee Cordes
The Boothbay Harbor Planning Board is considering changes to its zoning ordinance that would maintain and provide protections for the east side's existing maritime zone.
The Boothbay Harbor Planning Board is considering changes to its zoning ordinance that would maintain and provide protections for the east side’s existing maritime zone.
Chairman Bill Hamblen suggested dividing the east side into a maritime zone and a limited commercial and maritime zone, the Boothbay Register reported. The maritime zone would encompass six working waterfront parcels and remove residential and microbrewery uses. The limited commercial and maritime district would maintain the maritime uses and add uses like view corridors and 25-foot setbacks, but no multifamily dwellings.
The discussion has been ongoing for the past year, as Boothbay Harbor weighs mixed-use zoning changes in a traditional maritime zone on the marine-oriented east side of the harbor. In December 2017, a proposal to allow mixed uses like food and hospitality businesses on the marine-oriented east side of Boothbay Harbor sparked public debate, but that has since been shelved.
The discussion comes at a time when the Boothbay region is drafting a plan to bolster its overall economy. In February, the Boothbay Register reported the plan's goals include promoting the region as “open for business” as well as working with marine-based businesses to address workforce recruitment, helping young people to find their vocations through school programs and identifying funds for training in businesses that distinguish the region from others.
The plan identifies other top issues, including affordable housing, downtown and waterfront development, tourism infrastructure maintenance, regional transportation and regional collaboration.
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