The property is not restricted to public/park use. There are no restrictions on the deed, such as a conservation or open space easement, that ensure public use of the property and prohibit commercial use. BBHWP remains free to develop commercial uses such as the proposed general store alongside the tiny “park,” or even to scrap public use entirely and develop or sell for any commercial use.

The park filed to develop under the flood zone by approximately 13 feet. This is not legal or safe. This would pose a significant risk to the people who frequent the area and would drastically increase the likeliness of damaged created by surging waters. This would potentially cause the park to shut down during repairs and then we would only have an eyesore instead of a functional park area. The developers hopefully will not be allowed to do that.

There is a reason we have a local standard in Boothbay Harbor that allows up to 20% impervious surfaces in developments—that reason is to preserve our natural surroundings. Despite starting from a clean slate, the proposed plan from the developer for East Side Waterfront does not meet this standard. The developer proposes 1000s of square feet of pavers and asphalt. This is not a park. It’s a commercial development.