The Edgecomb Planning Board wants further examination of a Merry Island Road plot prior to ruling as to whether or not it’s located in a resource protection zone.

The board required Maine Modular Manufacturing Homes owner Scott Gove to provide a survey showing contour lines next month to determine if the property is suitable for development.

Gove, who attended the meeting on behalf of clients Richard and Karen Tiger, hoped to learn the property’s zoning designation without submitting costly surveys and studies. He estimates $1,000 for the contour maps and $700 for the septic design.

“I’d hoped to save my clients some money by finding out whether this was possible first. I thought we’d ask first if this was in resource protection before doing those costly studies,” Gove said.

But the status of the 2.7-acre Merry Island property is not readily known by the board. The undeveloped property is owned by a relative of the Tigers.

Richard and Karen Tiger contacted Gove about locating a modular home on the property. Even if the land is not located in a resource protection zone, the property may still be unsuitable for a modular home.

Gove described the parcel as “possibly being un-buildable” due to its hilly terrain.

The planning board considered the less expensive approach of doing a on-site property review before opting for the survey.

“We need to establish how much, if any, of the land is in resource protection. I haven’t a clue if the slope is 19 or 20 percent by walking the land. A map showing the contour lines will show that,” said planning board member David Nutt.

The planning board requested Gove provide them with a topography map showing the house and the percentage of the property’s grade.

Even with the contour maps, planning board Vice Chairman Barry Hathorne believed it would be difficult to determine if the property meets the Department of Environmental Protection guidelines.

“This is going to be tough one,” he said.

But Nutt disagreed.

“We don’t know that,” Nutt said. “We know the land has some issues. But the survey should show it’s either possible or not.”

In other action, the planning board approved a new resident’s request. Kevin Reilly is negotiating to purchase a building and barn located at 727 Boothbay Road. Reilly requested to change building’s use.

He plans on operating a retail store out of the home; he plans to convert the barn into a warehouse. Reilly plans on selling antiques, paintings, sculptures, and high-end Irish sweaters.

The planning board also approved a building permit for an Illinois couple. William and Carolyn Anthony received approval for an accessory building on their Merry Island Road property.

They want to build a 400-square foot cottage. The Anthonys own a 1,056-square-foot house on the 2.3-acre parcel.

William Anthony is Northwestern University’s director of Study Abroad Office in Evanston, Illinois. He plans on retiring next year. The cottage would serve as a studio for his painting and writing.

The planning board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, in the municipal building.