Boothbay girl seeks planning board approval to house two mules

Nora Conlin, 11, explains why she wants permit for animal breeding and care
Fri, 09/23/2016 - 8:45am

An 11-year-old Boothbay girl passionate about animals is going to care for two mules on her parents’ Adams Pond Road property. Nora Conlin requested an animal breeding and care permit during the Sept. 21 planning board meeting, but she was told one wasn’t necessary. Nora, the daughter of Robert and Eve Conlin, believed she needed a permit to house hoofed animals within the road’s watershed district.

After she made the request, Board Chairman Alan Bellows informed her a permit was necessary if the property housed more than four animals. Prior to seeking approval, Nora consulted with her parents and Boothbay Region Water District officials, who all supported her request.

During the meeting, Nora discussed her passion for animals, especially the four-legged kind.

“I’ve always loved animals and want either a horse or mule to care of,” she said. “I work at a barn where I look after horses and I want a pet that I can groom and ride.”

Following the meeting, her mother explained why she supported Nora’s proposal.

“I’m all for it,” Eve Conlin said. “She is home schooled so she has the time to care for them so it won’t be a problem.”

In other action, the board unanimously approved Boothbay Region Land Trust’s request to remove and rebuild a storage shed on Damariscove Island. The 12-foot-by-16-foot shed is located on an easement owned by the Nature Conservancy.

The easement allows for the shed only to be rebuilt within the building’s original footprint which is less than 75 feet from shore.

“The structure can not be relocated outside of the setback, so to be in compliance, we need a permit,” said Michael Warren of the BRLT.

The board also approved establishing a retail storage unit complex on Industrial Park Road. Ronnie Campbell of Boothbay Harbor requested the permit. He is negotiating with the property owner, The Dorothy Morton Trust, to purchase the Industrial Park Road lot.

“I’ve entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the owner which is contingent upon receiving planning board approval,” Campbell said.

The property is not located within the industrial park, according to the board.

A Knickerbocker Group project manager also discussed a proposal to redesign an East Boothbay residence and guest house. Randy Smith represents a buyer interested in purchasing the Spruce Shores property.

During a pre-application meeting, Smith explained he represented the interested party who wants to convert the A-frame-shaped guest house into a gable-styled cottage and redesign the residence and replace the structure’s foundation.

The property is located within the shoreland zone and the proposal requires the renovations not increase the two non-conforming structures’ current square footage. Smith assured the board that both structures could be renovated without violating the ordinance.

Smith told the board he’d like to submit an application in October for review.

“I’m here to see what further information you may need before submitting a proposal,” he said.

The board requested to review the property’s pre- and post-2013 baseline area volumes as part of the application.

The board will meet next at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19 in the municipal building.