Planning board OKs Glidden Point expansion project
The Edgecomb Planning Board approved Glidden Point Oyster Farm's expansion project Dec. 4 in a 3-0-1 vote. The project is at 634 River Road for a 5,600 square foot oyster processing facility with associated access drives, parking, loading areas, utilities and stormwater management. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
The Edgecomb Planning Board approved Glidden Point Oyster Farm's expansion project Dec. 4 in a 3-0-1 vote. The project is at 634 River Road for a 5,600 square foot oyster processing facility with associated access drives, parking, loading areas, utilities and stormwater management. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay RegisterFollowing a public hearing, the Edgecomb Planning Board approved a permit for 634 River Road LLC to construct an oyster processing plant across the street from Glidden Oyster Farm Co.
Andrew Johnson of Atlantic Resource Consultants described the project as packaging oysters brought up from the shore for packaging and distribution.
River Road resident David Tonry challenged several parts of the application. He along with other neighbors have sought municipal action against Glidden Oyster Farm Co. for the past couple years. He asked if the planning board would require owner Ryan McPherson to resolve pending alleged violations on his oyster farm prior to receiving approval for the processing plant.
Acting Planning Board Chairman Paula Swetland denied Tonry's request. Tonry also listed 14 items where he believed the application was incomplete, but the board denied each one.
Last month, Tonry's attorney challenged whether the planning board could hold a public hearing prior to the application's having been ruled complete. During the meeting, Tonry read a passage from municipal code stating the public hearing must be held within 30 days of the application being ruled complete.
Swetland told him the planning board was following the minimum residential requirements. During the approval process Swetland came to the passage regarding holding a public hearing within 30 days of finding the application complete. She paused, and discussed the passage with other board members. The "within 30 days" passage was interpreted as either before or after finding the application complete. Tonry left the meeting after this interpretation was made.
Two other River Road residents attended the hearing. Cindy Marsh and Mike Fink were more interested in alleged violations by Glidden Oyster Farm Co. The couple has the same concerns as Tonry. "Who do I talk to about Glidden," Marsh said. "The selectmen told me to ask the planning board." Swetland told her it was solely a selectboard issue.
The planning board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.
