The Damariscotta Planning Board approved the Central Lincoln County YMCA’s plans for expanded day care services at their Monday, Oct. 10 meeting.
Under the approved plans, the CLC YMCA will build yurt classrooms and a playground at its 525 Main St. location.
CLC YMCA CEO Casey Clark Kelley said the existing child care center at 8 Sand Hill Drive in Nobleboro “is not suitable for growth” during the organization’s annual meeting in May. The Nobleboro center, which provides care for 40 children, is at capacity, she said.
Jan Wiegman, of engineering firm Weight-Pierce, and Tor Glendinning, of 44 North Architects, presented the plans for the child care development, named Discovery Village, with CLC YMCA Director of Operations Sally Farrell.
The village will house four yurts serving as classrooms and one yurt as an administrative office, according to the submitted application. The yurts, which will be outfitted with heating, plumbing, and lighting, will be 30 feet in diameter and will go behind the existing workout facilities.
The development will also include a new playground and other improvements to utility connections and storm water management system.
Farrell said the day care facility in Nobleboro will still remain in operation.
Planning board members raised concerns on increasing development without any planned parking addition.
“I’ve been up there before and made many circles around the parking lot and found nothing, so I know parking is tight,” board member Neil Genthner Jr. said.
Under Damariscotta’s current building regulations, a new building the size of the CLC YMCA would require around 300 parking spaces, Town Planner Michael Martone said. The CLC YMCA has 101 parking spots, according to Wiegman.
As the addition is for day care, Farrell said she would not expect a big increase in parking needs. She said the Wells-Hussey American Legion Post 42, at 527 Main St., also allows CLC YMCA staff to park there when needed.
The CLC YMCA and American Legion Hall plan to trade buildings, with the Y taking over the Main Street location and the American Legion taking over the Sand Hill property in Nobleboro.
Once the CLC YMCA acquires the American Legion Hall’s current building, which sits directly in front of the community center, Glendinning said the added property should “make up” the needed parking.
“I’m saying months not years … to satisfy extra parking in the future,” Glendinning said.
The Discovery Village development is not a temporary space, Farrell said. The American Legion building will have a different use than child care, Glendinning said.
Following approval, Discovery Village’s construction should start next January and finish in June, according to Glendinning.
The next Damariscotta Planning Board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at the town office. For more information, go to damariscotta.maine.gov or call 563-5168.
