Dear Editor:

How is it that the Botanical Gardens was permitted by the Boothbay Planning Board to build a Walmart-sized parking lot and a facility for up to 350,000 visitors per year in the General Residential District? If that isn’t a large-scale commercial development unfit for a quiet neighborhood, I don’t know what is.

The Boothbay ordinances are pretty clear about this. Here are some relevant excerpts:

General Residential District: “This District is primarily residential with limited commercial uses permitted.”

Small Town Character: “The Town should assure that the small town, rural character of Boothbay is maintained by: (B) Keeping the scale and intensity of new development in proportion to the existing residential character of the Town.”

Tourist Facilities: “…the Town should allow the retention and expansion of tourism facilities provided by: (A) Limiting new commercial activities that primarily serve seasonal visitors to small-scale facilities that are compatible with the rural nature of the community.”

A residential district is for residences and small businesses, not for big box store parking lots. This is why Boothbay and all towns have zoning ordinances, which separate districts by the type and size of allowed development projects. The Botanical Gardens' expansion deep within residential territory signifies not only a lack of basic zoning law enforcement but sets an ominous precedent for further commercial development in the town of Boothbay.

If you are concerned about another 350,000 visitors a year to the town of Boothbay, and/or are concerned that this precedent may allow commercial expansion/growth to the rest of residential Boothbay, please join us in voicing your opinion at the July 27 Board of Appeals meeting at 6 p.m.

Ellen Wilson

Boothbay Harbor