By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer
Bridgton’s business look continues to evolve.

Tuesday night, the Planning Board gave final approval to Hancock Lumber’s plan to utilize part of the old knitting mill — now home to Canuvo — to run a wall framing operation.

One concern planners had was trucks backing to the loading doors and how it could pose a safety hazard to vehicles waiting for coffee pick-up at Sail Away Coffee cart. Vehicle traffic moves on both sides of the cart.

Initially, planners included a condition that traffic would go only in one direction.

However, Stone Soup Realty (owners of the property) officials — Glen Peterson and Josh Quint — were against the condition, feeling ample space exists for the 40-foot delivery trucks to operate between the loading area and the coffee cart. Planners were told 120-feet exists between the loading area and cart. Property owners did consider the idea of moving the cart, but found the spot is currently occupies made more sense. As did the cart’s owner, who noted that if the business was moved, electrical service would also be relocated.

“I was surprised the condition was made. I don’t know why it is necessary. Striping might work. People drive on the road and see trucks and will proceed appropriately. Sometimes, we need to rely on people to use good sense,” Planner Dee Miller said.

Entrance and exit signage for truck traffic will be installed.

“Our job is to apply the standards and safety is part of the standard,” Planning Board chair Deb Brusini said. “The last thing anyone wants is someone to get hurt.”

Planners also gave the green light to Julie Mannix of Harrison to operate her Old School Creamery business in the former eye doctor’s space on Portland Road.

Mannix plans to use the main room as the cheese shop, where she also plans to sell baked goods and other farm fresh products. She will build out space for a kitchen for baked goods production. A new sign will be installed, either where the former eye doctor’s sign was or in another location. Mannix plans to re-stripe the parking lot and “refresh” the site’s landscape with new plants and repair existing lawn.

The business will continue to use the current septic system. Planners noted that if the business moves to hook into the town’s new wastewater system, Mannix will need to install a grease trap.

Jason Randall proposes to tear down the old machine shop, located adjacent to A La Mexicana restaurant, retain the foundation and expand it, and construct a new Harrison Marina showroom. He hopes to open the new space by this summer.

The showroom will include two offices, a bathroom, and retail space. Randall plans to install a sign similar to the one at his marina shop on Route 117.

Planners asked Randall to provide them with a stormwater plan, soil survey map and a perimeter plan, which will be reviewed at their March meeting.

Initially, planners considered holding a public hearing on the proposal, but officials moved to reconsider their vote when Planner Dee Miller changed her mind from abstaining to voting against the hearing. The hearing was scrapped by a 3-2 vote (Deb Brusini and Rolf Madsen voting for the hearing).