John Kelly (left) discusses his plans for a bakery at the intersection of Route 1 and East Pond Road with Nobleboro Planning Board Chair Steve Plumb. (Alexander Violo photo)
After three meetings and a site walk, the Nobleboro Planning Board unanimously approved an application for a bakery at the intersection of East Pond Road and Route 1 on Thursday, Aug. 15.
As conditions of the approval, the business’s parking plans must comply with the board’s requests and the business must obtain a sign-off from the town’s fire chief.
The board approved the application after receiving correspondence from the Maine Department of Transportation and information from the town’s code enforcement officer. Nobleboro Code Enforcement Officer Stan Waltz attended the meeting.
John and Karen Kelly plan to open the bakery at 16 East Pond Road.
The planning board first discussed the application June 20 and considered it again July 18.
Parking and rules for frontage on Route 1 were the subject of much discussion during the board’s first meeting, before the board determined that the frontage rules do not apply because the entrance is on East Pond Road.
Board Chair Steve Plumb, on Thursday, said the Kellys had submitted an approved driveway entrance permit from the DOT and information about the location of a sign, which the board deemed acceptable.
Plumb said the DOT indicated that the owners need to keep a specific amount of frontage on East Pond Road clear to provide adequate sight lines.
Plumb asked the property owners if any of this area is on abutting properties. Karen Kelly said the area is within their property.
Plumb said the board also received a promissory note from a bank indicating the Kellys’ financial ability to start the business, as well as information about the locations of the business’s dumpster and leach field.
Plumb asked the applicants about parking. He said he interpreted the submitted materials to say the business was asking for 22 spots.
He also asked about a handicapped-accessible ramp to the business.
John Kelly said the ramp had been modified to ensure accessibility.
During a discussion of parking rules, Plumb said he would be comfortable with 18 parking spots at the business, to ensure none of the spots are too close to the road.
“Eighteen spaces gives you enough spaces for you and 12-15 cars,” Plumb said.
Waltz said the Nobleboro Village Store, a busy convenience store on Center Street, can fit about 12 cars, and he doesn’t think the bakery will attract more traffic.
“I would love to see them do that kind of business, but I just don’t see it,” Waltz said.
Board Vice Chair Marianne Pinkham asked about a sign-off from Fire Chief Ryan Gallagher, saying a fire truck and ambulance could access the site.
Plumb said the proximity of the business to the fire station lessens his concerns about fire safety.
“It’s so close to the fire station and I didn’t get a sense the chief had any concerns,” Plumb said.
