Less asphalt, more green

Too much asphalt is a big mistake

KEY ISSUES

KEY ISSUE #1: A park, not a commercial development

East Side Waterfront Park is not subject to any deed restrictions protecting it for conservation/park use. The town could avoid scrutiny of this “park” on the promise of its public benefits, only to have the developer turn around and sell it for commercial use. Reference: BBHWP deed.

This is not the green, environmentally friendly park we were promised. BBHWP has proposed a general store, apartments, marina, eating establishment, and loads of pavement.

The Devloper Advertised a Green Park

Here is What the Developer File For:

KEY ISSUE #2: Eliminate environmental risk

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “When rainwater washes over impervious surfaces such as rooftops, parking lots, and roads, it collects and carries pollutants that ultimately flow into waterways.”
The “park” as proposed will vastly exceed the 20% impervious surface (pavement, buildings, and other improvements) permitted under shoreland zoning standards
The CDC has warned about the risk of contamination and health problems from splash pads. BBHWP still doesn’t have a viable plan for disposal of the wastewater from its splash pad.
BBHWP has proposed a new parking lot in the shoreland zone, when it has ample room to move the pavement (and all its environmental harms) away from the Harbor.

KEY ISSUE #3: The developer has not shown the capacity to see this project through

The developer has shown a disregard for complying with local laws, repeatedly building in violation of its permits, or without permits at all

The developer has continually failed, over four years, to present a compliant plan for this park.
DEP says, “This project needs a closer look to ensure compliance to the local ordinances and the Guidelines.”

KEY ISSUE - Impervious surfaces

SIMPLE: 80% green space is the answer

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “When rainwater washes over impervious surfaces such as rooftops, parking lots, and roads, it collects and carries pollutants that ultimately flow into waterways.”

By law, this development should have no more than 20% of the property covered by impervious surfaces. BBHWP has previously proposed that as much as 61% - 62% of its development would be impervious. In January, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wrote a letter to the town’s Board of Appeals and pointed out that shoreland zoning standards “must be followed.” It was BBHWP’s official position at that time that the Board should simply ignore the concerns outlined in the DEP letter and urged that the town declare its development legal.

Asking Boothbay Harbor’s regulatory officials to look the other way on environmental standards was wrong. BBHWP has withdrawn its application from Planning Board review and has yet to re-file. When it does, all it needs to do is satisfy the DEP and the town that its proposal meets all shoreland zoning standards.