Planning Board finds 7 Isle Avenue dock amendment complete but tables request to expand community dock pending zoning review

The Planning Board accepted the 7 Isle Avenue (Saco Island) site/subdivision amendment application as complete but did not act on the applicant’s request to enlarge a community dock from the shoreland‑zoning default of 200 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft.

Staff presented legal guidance explaining that seasonal, temporary docks up to 200 square feet can be authorized administratively, but a community dock larger than that typically requires zoning relief (a variance) because the planning board lacks explicit authority to waive that dimensional standard in the shoreland ordinance. The applicant, Bernie Sonia of Saco Riverside LLC, said three current owners had signed amended condominium documents to make the dock a shared community amenity; he described the dock as a seasonal structure built in four pieces and said the U.S. Army Corps and Amicor approvals for the proposed location are in hand.

Board members asked technical and operational questions — whether individual homeowners could still install private docks (the applicant said condo documents will bar that), whether motorized boats would tie up (applicant: no, except pick‑ups), and how the dock is assembled and stored seasonally. Staff said deeds and financial/technical materials exist in the planning office even if not included in the packet.

Because the planning board likely lacks authority to grant the required zoning relief, members asked the applicant to pursue the appropriate path (zoning board of appeals variance or ordinance text amendment), work with staff, and return when a zoning determination is made. The board voted to table the amendment indefinitely while the applicant pursues the necessary variance or process and staff coordinates next steps.