Following the Whitefield Planning Board’s nearly three-hour meeting the evening of Wednesday, April 17, the board decided to schedule a special meeting to vote on Harmony Haven LLC’s change in use application for the building at 132 Main St. in Coopers Mills.
Members of the planning board continued to discuss Harmony Haven LLC’s change in use application for the building that was formerly Country Manor Nursing Home at the board’s April 17 meeting.
Harmony Haven LLC co-owner and Holistic Sober Center Executive Director Kristina Simpson was present at the meeting, accompanied by her attorney, Brenden Smith of Bowdoinham-based firm Maine Senior Law, and Charles Burnham, a professional engineer who has been working with Simpson on the project.
The board spent its time reviewing the minutes from the public hearing that was held on April 10 in relation to Simpson’s change in use application. The board also took the opportunity to ask final questions of the applicant, and questioned Burnham in relation to his review of the septic system at the site.
While planning board member Mary Morgan raised many concerns about the site, including the accuracy of the site plan, the alleged previous failure of the septic system, and the safety of the public water supply, Chair Glenn Angell steered the conversation toward reviewing the town’s building development ordinance in accordance with the change of use proposed by Simpson.
“All of the site issues you’re raising are immaterial,” said Angell to Morgan during the April 17 meeting.
After intensive conversation, shortly after the clock struck 9 p.m., the meeting was adjourned, as Morgan said she felt she was not prepared to review the building development ordinance in full.
Angell decided Wednesday evening that the board will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 1 to have a final discussion and vote on Harmony Haven LLC’s application.
According to the town’s ordinance, the board is required to make a decision on an application by 35 days after a public hearing is held. The public hearing for Harmony Haven LLC’s application took place on April 10. According to Angell, 35 days after the public hearing is the board’s next monthly meeting, May 15. Angell said he decided to schedule a special meeting due to the time constraint the board faces.
The board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 at the central fire station. The only item on the agenda is for the board to continue to discuss Harmony Haven LLC’s change in use application.
The next regular meeting of the planning board is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at the central fire station.
