Planning board approves shoreline expansion at 70 Ambrose Cove

The Belgrade Planning Board unanimously approved a shoreline permit for Christian Bishop’s proposed 24-by-15-foot expansion to the main house at 70 Ambrose Cove (Map 47 Lot 10).

Vice Chair George Seal read the board’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, saying the project met public-health and water-quality standards and would not increase wastewater or harm aquatic habitat. “The board found these standards were met,” Seal said during the vote. The board recorded a 4–0 vote in favor of approval and attached standard conditions, including compliance with Department of Environmental Protection best-management practices for stormwater runoff.

Bishop told the board the revised plan reduced the originally proposed scope to meet height limits and that the work was limited to enlarging an existing bedroom and adding an enclosed entry. He confirmed there would be no change in use and no new bedrooms. The board noted the property contains older, grandfathered structures—the cottage dates to the 1930s—and that septic upgrades had been completed when the applicant purchased the property.

The approval includes standard permit conditions addressing stormwater, erosion and sedimentation controls, and a provision that the planning-board approval applies only to what is described in the application. The permit and findings were signed and entered into the public record.