A land developer’s proposal to build three condominiums in Edgecomb may rest on whether the project meets the town’s minimum lot density requirement. Tony Casella plans on constructing three condominiums on property owned by one of his businesses: The View, LLC. The 10.03 acre parcel is located on the corner of the Eddy Road and U.S. Route 1.

The parcel already contains the Sheepscot Harbour Village Resort business office and another commercial building. The three condominium units would each encompass 1,133 square feet. The units would each have three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 

Casella and his consultant, Karl Olson, met with the planning board on May 7 for the second pre-application hearing. The planning board requested on April 16 more information about the development’s water and sewer services. Casella reported the development would “hook into” available sewer and water lines located across the street.

The planning board, along with its lawyer, Carl “Chip” Griffin, Casella and Olson discussed whether the project met the minimum lot size requirements. The 10.03 acre is one parcel divided between Edgecomb Gateway and marine zones. The marine zone requires a two acre lot for building residential units. While the Edgecomb Gateway requires a one-acre minimum lot size. The marine zone also has wetlands that cannot be counted towards the build-able lot area.

Planning Board Chairman Jack French believed the property included the required build-able area and encouraged the developer to submit an application in two weeks.

“I’m comfortable with what you have here. If you recalculate the necessary space for the commercial building and take out the wetlands I think it will be fine,” French said.

At first, Olson was hesitant to submit an application. He wanted more assurances that the project had a high probability of being approved prior to submitting an application. But Olson was persuaded to change his mind. He agreed to present the reworked calculation along with a building permit application at the next meeting.

In other action, the planning board denied Sue and Tom Sikes’ request to extend a deck across their condominium’s front side. The board ruled the request violated two ordinances. The addition would violate restrictions on increasing a non-conforming structure’s size. The condominium is also prohibited from future additions due to its location within 75 feet of the shore.

The planning board also met with an entrepreneur looking to operate a taco stand on U.S. Route 1. Juliana Hoffman of Jefferson is looking to purchase property to house her food stand. Hoffman has operated a taco stand in recent years at The Common Ground Fair in Unity and The American Folk Festival in Bangor. She is now looking for a permanent location.

“I’m not new to selling tacos, but this is my first foray into purchasing commercial property. So I’m here to see what needs to be done,” Hoffman said. “My offer is contingent (upon) getting planning board approval.”

The planning board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 in the municipal room.