Brown gets zoning exception Agrees to conditions

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The Zoning Board of Appeals granted an exception request for Brown Development to build a storage garage with outside storage in a B-1 Zone last Wednesday over the objections of Philip Bernaiche in a 4-1 vote. Chairman Robert Hannigan and members Anthony DeLucca, Dorothy Donahue,  and Sherri Quint supported Brown’s request after hearing from Brown and a property owner of the adjacent property.
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
ZONING APPEAL GRANTED — Brown Construction will place a fence between homeowner, Mary Howland’s property and its property at 68 Bangor Street where the company is building a new garage.
    James Brown said he intends to build a 64-foot by 100-foot storage area and garage to store and repair equipment related to his construction company. Brown also explained that he planned to upgrade the existing building, formerly the Mitchell Shop, with new siding, doors, windows, floor, roof and renewed electric. Additionally, he said, he was willing to pay for a fence between the property in question at 68 Bangor Street and the property owner at 58 Bangor Street, Mary Howland.
    Board member DeLucca said, due to the type of activity in that particular designated central business district, he did not see any problem with the request. He also saw a benefit to the community if Brown were to proceed with light manufacturing like the modular home built by Brown which is currently on the site.      Board Member Dorothy Donahue asked if the building would have to have metal or vinyl siding. Kevin Tingley, code enforcement officer, responded by saying, in this instance, there is no requirement in the codes for fireproof, metal siding due to the location of the property and proximity to adjacent buildings.
    Tingley also said the tax assessor’s office, public works department and fire department did not express any concerns. But, the police department had not yet responded.
    Bernaiche said he had viewed the location and he would not vote in favor of the request unless a fence were placed around the entire property because it “is a busy place” and the amount of traffic going in and out is “dangerous.” He also said a fence should go up to hide the heavy equipment which he said will “look shabby.”
    Brown responded saying he had offered to pay for an eight-foot privacy fence in an effort to be a good neighbor and to avoid offending Howland. He also said he had cleaned up the property, that most of his equipment is relatively new and he wanted to avoid a cluttered lot to maintain a professional appearance.
    Donahue asked if Brown’s employees would be working very early or late hours which could possibly disturb Howland. Brown replied saying, for the most part, the crews arrive around 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. -to 4 p.m. shift since overtime jobs in Houlton are not profitable. Howland said she was concerned about fumes when crews let parked vehicles run. Brown said he would probably have trucks warmed up inside the new building with crew cars parked alongside the fence. Board Member Quint said, having known him and having seen Brown’s work sites, “he has always been very neat and meticulous.” The board then voted in favor of the exception request.