Select Board approves shoreland and building permits for barn restoration after floodplain review

The Select Board voted to grant a building permit and a limited residential shoreland zoning permit for the restoration of a barn and associated work after staff said required elevations and the placement of a new electrical panel meet mapped floodplain criteria.

Staff said the mapped flood elevation in the area is 173.1 and the barn floor is at 171.4, leaving roughly 1.5–2 feet of difference at the panel location; the panel itself is positioned about a foot and a half above the flood elevation, which staff said addressed the principal floodplain concern. Erin, a staff member handling permits, told the board the work was “after the fact,” that a building permit and a limited shoreland zoning permit are on her desk pending final particulars, and that contractor crews had stopped and stabilized the site when informed of the floodplain constraints.

Board members asked whether the work would trigger current‑standards upgrades (the 50% valuation threshold) and whether foundation work counted toward that test. Staff said the 50% valuation threshold applies depending on what parts of the structure are affected and that the permit will be compartmentalized by the scope shown on the permit application. After a final chance for comment, a motion to grant the permits was made and seconded. The chair called for a hand vote and the board approved the permits; staff confirmed they will issue the permit documents.

The action resolves the immediate compliance questions for the applicant but staff said they will follow up to ensure the final elevations and permit paperwork are recorded before closing the file.