City council to vote again on rezoning Staniels Road land

The Eastport City Council decision at the April council meeting to change the zoning of a parcel located on Staniels Road from residential to industrial has been found to have been made in error. At the May council meeting the city's attorney, Dennis Mahar, explained that when more than 10% of a parcel's abutters are in opposition to an ordinance change there must be a vote by the council of 80% in favor of the change, or in this case four out of five councillors. At the April meeting the vote in favor of the change to industrial zoning was three to two.
The Staniels Road parcel is owned by Christina M. Fisheries, and Perry Marine & Construction (PMC) is seeking to purchase the land. PMC is in the process of applying for permits to build a large ramp to access Broad Cove from Staniels Road land that the company has obtained an easement to use from the Eastport Port Authority. The company will use its land to build components of Ocean Renewable Power Company's tidal turbines, among other projects. The Eastport Planning Board had voted unanimously in favor of the zoning change in February, but a number of abutters wrote to the planning board and the council and spoke at the April council meeting about their concerns with a zoning change and the possible impact on their residential properties.
At the May meeting the councillors rescinded their vote and will take up the topic again at the June 8 meeting. Councillor David Morang suggested that PMC partner Gerald Morrison bring a presentation "about what would be happening on that land so that abutters would have a clear idea" of what the changes to the property would look like. Morrison will give a presentation at the June meeting, and abutters will be notified of the status of the ordinance change and vote. Council President Robert Peacock apologized to "all involved, including the abutters" for the improper process followed.

Projects new and renewed
Regarding the status of the Boat School property owned by the city, City Manager Jon Southern said that he expected yacht builder David Marlow to be in the city by the week of May 16. "Marlow will be looking to appoint local legal counsel" to assist him in working with the city's attorney. Both parties will work to formalize an agreement for the sale of the parcels and buildings where the Boat School is located on Deep Cove Road as well as a number of adjoining parcels of land. According to Southern, Marlow "is also working on a proposal for Husson," the university that has run the Boat School for the last three years. The yacht builder is also in email contact with Friends of the Boat School member Dean Pike. Pike suggested to the council, "Last meeting you tabled the Maine Marine Trades Technical Committee. I propose to keep it tabled for another month. Hopefully by that time things will be done."
Hugh French of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA) was on hand to ask the council for a letter of support so that TIMA can file a letter of intent to apply for a grant from the Communities for Maine's Future Fund. TIMA has been looking for additional space and was made aware of two buildings downtown, known as the Holmes twins, located at the corner of Furniture Avenue. "The current owners are looking for someone else to take the buildings to the next step" in renovations. The grant would be used to renovate the two buildings as well as complete the exterior restoration of the former bank building where TIMA's office and gallery space are located. The additional space would be used for first floor studio and work space and second floor housing for visiting artists and printmakers. Minerva Partners, which is embarking on a multi‑year energy efficiency project within the city, may also play a role in the buildings' renovations. French noted that the buildings are shells and well suited for energy efficiency measures. The grant application is due in July, and award notification is in August.
Normand Laberge of Tidewalker Associates updated the council on the status of the Half Moon Cove project for a tidal dam that would produce electricity. An integrated licensing process application by Tidewalker was dismissed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on April 28. Tidewalker has two choices to decide on for the next steps for FERC's licensing process: traditional or alternative. Laberge said that he intends "to form a working group from the communities of Eastport and Perry to look at the method we should use for licensing." The licensing process is expected to take between one and two years.
The former Guilford mill building is "alive and well," said Southern. A grant of $1.5 million was received in 2010 to begin the first phase of renovating the structure to accommodate composite manufacturing. The engineers and architects for the project have been chosen.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Infrastructure application for a $500,000 grant to begin repairs to the wastewater treatment plant has passed the first phase of approval. The next step will be to enter into program development. Southern thanked resident Jon McNerney and Washington County Council of Governments Executive Director Judy East for their work on the grant. The manager also noted that the grant will "be a great leverage tool" for applying for additional funds and grants in 2012.
The CDBG application for the fire station upgrades and repairs was turned down. Southern told the public, "We'll submit again next year. In the meantime we've received quotes on repairs and replacement of the roof and insulation." He explained, "Hopefully, with the sale of the Boat School we'll be able to proceed."
The council issued a proclamation recognizing long‑time city employee Ellery "Buddy" Townsend, who passed away April 1. The council acknowledged Townsend's 33 years of "service with distinction" and the many ways that his personal and professional talents contributed to the quality of life in the area. Three of Townsend's family members were present, and they thanked the council and city for the recognition.
Seven licenses were approved for businesses and three more will be the subject of public hearings at the June 8 council meeting. Peacock noted that all the business activity was a good sign for Eastport. During April there were two building permits, four plumbing permits and two earth-moving permits issued. The police department received 42 calls for service, far more than the 19 calls received this time last year. No arrests were made.