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Applicant withdraws Comfort Island venue application after residents raise noise and zoning concerns
Summary
After residents voiced concerns about noise, lights and commercial use, the applicant for Comfort Island withdrew the application; board members discussed Marine Island district zoning and next steps if a new application is filed.
Residents of nearby islands and mainland properties urged the Planning Board to hold the line on the Marine Island District's residential restrictions and raised concerns about turning Comfort Island into a commercial event venue.
During public comment, one resident summarized local unease: "...I would truly hate to see them lost because they were no longer economically viable," reflecting worry about small islands becoming event sites. Multiple speakers emphasized noise, lights and increased boat traffic as the primary impacts of wedding and event uses.
The chair read an email from the applicant, Steven Brown, notifying the board that he had decided to withdraw his application. As the chair read, board counsel and staff noted the Marine Island District limits development to residential uses and that the attorney advised the proposed commercial use was not a permitted use in that district.
Board members emphasized that if the applicant resubmits the town will require a new application and that a second no‑show could force a resubmission or denial. One long‑standing board member said the board would generally grant a first request to table but be less forgiving if an applicant fails to appear twice.
The board did not take any formal votes related to land‑use approval for Comfort Island at this meeting; the applicant's email was accepted as the current disposition of that application.
Speakers quoted are drawn from the public comment record and the chair's statements on the record.
