Lubec voters narrowly approve zoning change for new housing

A special town meeting in Lubec on Wednesday, April 25 drew an overflow crowd of over 200 voters to the municipal building to consider three articles related to zoning and planning. Harold Bailey was elected to moderate the meeting.

The first article proposed changing the zoning of a waterfront parcel owned by Florida developer Victor Trafford on Johnson Street near the harbor, to allow for multiple residences to be built, reducing lot size and setback requirements. The change had been the subject of sometimes contentious debate at two previous informational meetings, but found only one person discussing the article prior to the vote. Lucy Burgess asked voters to "realize that this is a drastic change to an existing ordinance made for one landowner." In prior informational meetings, opponents of the change expressed concerns about building on a fragile cliff; about adding a large number of residences on a narrow, steep road; and of the loss of the panoramic views over Johnson Bay over the property. The proposed new ordinance was revised at the second informational meeting to eliminate the possibility of building townhouses on the land, in response to concerns expressed by residents.

Proponents of the change had expressed a desire to attract more residents to the town; to enhance the tax base by building high-end homes; and the suggestion by the developer that the increased housing density might help with rehabilitation and reuse of the old Booth's fish plant at the western end of the property. Of a total of 206 valid ballots, the article was approved by a narrow 111 - 95 margin.

A second article proposed amending town ordinance to authorize the Planning Board to approve applications to build on lots zoned in Resource Protection, Under the existing statute, once a landowner has received approval from all required state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, they must then receive approval from a town meeting. Discussion of this article included the assertion by chairman of selectman Bill Daye that the current special town meetings had cost the town $3,000, an explanation from Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Daye of the procedure and requirements of the state process and questions about how many properties would be affected. With 141 residents voting, the proposal was defeated by three votes, 69 in favor and 72 opposed.

The third article asked whether the town would appropriate $5,000 to examine and update the town's comprehensive plan, the remainder of funds needed to be raised through grants. The current comprehensive plan has not been updated since 1992. With no discussion, the article was approved without a counted vote.