Newcastle architect George Parker presents Ben Ellinwood’s plans to add three self-storage buildings at Rock Solid Storage to the Edgecomb Planning Board on Thursday, May 16. (Alexander Violo photo)
After a public hearing Thursday, May 16, the Edgecomb Planning Board voted 4-0 to approve the construction of three new storage buildings at Rock Solid Storage on Route 1, pending approval from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Ben Ellinwood owns the storage business at 380 Route 1. Newcastle architect George Parker reviewed Ellinwood’s plans for the expansion with the planning board.
The new buildings will have 10-foot-by-10-foot storage units with movable walls to allow for the creation of larger units.
The units will be accessible via keypad. “There’s a power gate at the entrance and a keypad for the units,” Ellinwood said.
An application regarding stormwater impact is pending with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, according to Ellinwood.
Ellinwood said the project would occur in two phases, starting with the construction of one building, measuring 20 feet by 230 feet.
According to Parker, the business’s long-term goal is to add three new storage buildings.
Jeff Honings, a member of the public, asked how close the new building would be to the line between Ellinwood’s property and Lisa Brown’s.
“From Lisa’s standpoint, it is an imposing thing, being so close. My concern is how it impacts her and the value of her property,” Honings said.
According to Parker, the new construction will be 20 feet from the property line, the minimum requirement.
Honings asked where the entrance to the new storage units would be.
“I’m not trying to stifle anything. I just want to look out for Lisa’s investment,” Honings said.
According to Ellinwood, customers will access the new units through the business’s existing entrance off Route 1.
In response to a question on the new building’s height, Ellinwood said it will be 8 inches taller than the existing building.
Referencing the external appearance of the building, Ellinwood said they will have faux windows.
“There will be faux windows along the roadside to break up the side,” Ellinwood said.
In addition to the facility in Edgecomb, Ellinwood owns another Rock Solid Storage location in Waldoboro and owns another business, Ellinwood Foundations Inc.
Edgecomb Planning Board Chair Barry Hathorne and Vice Chair Pat Jeremiah review documents from Cook’s Landing Bar and Grille on Thursday, May 16. (Alexander Violo photo)
Cook’s Landing Bar and Grille
After the site plan review for Rock Solid Storage, the owners of Cook’s Landing Bar and Grille discussed their parking and seating capacity with the board.
Board Chair Barry Hathorne said Cook’s Landing owners Brian Cookson and Cindy Landry would have to attend a future meeting with an application to add fill to the business’s parking lot.
The owners of Cook’s Landing Bar and Grille plan to expand the parking lot and add seating to their business on Route 27 in Edgecomb. (Alexander Violo photo)
However, Hathorne said the business partners will not have to come before the board for additional seating, as the size of the business’s parking lot would permit the desired addition of 10 seats indoors and four outside.
