Ogunquit News
Outdoor seating is the question for restaurants in Ogunquit
By C. Ayn Douglass
OGUNQUIT - Local voters had the opportunity to speak Monday night at the Planning Board meeting in favor or against a warrant item brought forward by petition to allow outdoor seating at restaurants in the Limited Business District.Currently "Type 2" restaurants, those that are only permitted inside seating, are the only ones allowed in the district, which encompasses the zone including Shore Road and Thompson Green, off Shore Road.
The petition, brought forward by Jim Hartwell of Hartwell House, gathered enough signatures to be an item on the June 13 warrant. It would allow as many as 20 restaurants in the area to apply for outdoor seating, although approval will depend on site plan review by the Planning Board.
Residents spoke both for and against the proposed change, but no abutters to the zone were present to either support or renounce the change.
Hartwell spoke in favor, saying the change would not affect that many restaurants and since Ogunquit is largely a resort community with a limited window of good weather, the zoning adjustment would allow the town to compete with other tourist destinations as well as create parity within the zones.
"We would just like to have the same privilege," he said.
Both John Mixon and Al Johnson spoke in support of the passage of the warrant item with Mixon saying, "It's a great idea to level the playing field and I'm in favor of approval."
Johnson said there was no reason to oppose the move, as it would be a "real boon to the town of Ogunquit."
Speaking against the measure was Helen Horn, member of the Ogunquit Historic Preservation Committee, who believed that with the hundreds of hotel rooms and bed and breakfasts along Shore Road the noise would disturb the rest of their guests.
"I see no benefit in extending outside dining," she said. "Property owners and hotel guests deserve peace and quiet at night."
Charles Dahill, also against the change, said the existing Limited Business District zone protects property owners. He said he believed abutters would lose part of the value of their homes should the measure pass. He also said the town would lose green space as restaurants paved current lawn areas in order to accommodate outside tables.
Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Jay Smith said he had no major objection to the change and, in general, supported outdoor seating. However, he asked Planning Board members what considerations, other than noise, would be pertinent to accepting each proposal as it came forward.
Board members said they would look at the need for additional parking and the character and design of the expansion, particularly in areas with pre-1930s buildings, as they would fall under the scrutiny of the Historic Preservation Committee. The issue of lights and glare and how it relates to abutters would also be a consideration.
"I'm in favor of the ordinance as long as it (considers) all mitigating factors for abutters," Smith said. "I just hope we don't get outdoor Karaoke."
The second public hearing is scheduled for inclusion on the agenda for the Board of Selectmen at their June 6 meeting.
Ogunquit reporter C. Ayn Douglass can be reached via e-mail at cayndouglass@yorkindependent.net
