NORWAY — The Planning Board delayed a decision Thursday evening to grant permission for a tobacco retail store at the marina building until they are sure there is adequate parking.
Kyle Mayberry of Norway met with the board to review plans for a “tobacco and general merchandise” store that he described as more of a “head shop.” The store would be between Curves, a weight-loss business, and the Grow Depot, an indoor garden-supply center.
“The parking is clearly a major issue,” Planning Board Chairman Dennis Gray said. The site has 24 parking spaces but many are now inaccessible because of snow.
According to Mayberry, the store would primarily sell tobacco and tobacco-related products such as glass pipes and rolling papers. Mayberry said the idea to locate at 295 Lake Road was sparked in part by the Grow Depot’s clientele.
Mayberry said the two stores would be a good fit for each other.
But the Planning Board, Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman and police officer Jeff Campbell said parking was a major concern.
Campbell, who said he was speaking on behalf of Chief Rob Federico, said the department is concerned about the safety of the road in terms of people getting in and out of the parking area.
“Traffic would be a concern for us, as far as accidents,” he said. “It is an accident-prone area.”
Campbell also noted concern over the number of calls a similar store in town has already logged. He said the other tobacco store in town has had a fairly high call volume: 23 calls in 2013, 20 in 2012 and 34 in 2011.
Board members noted the building’s parking lot is also used by people who rent the 15 boat slips in the summer.
Before granting approval, the board decided to get a more accurate count of what the customer base might be in terms of parking needs. They will contact the Maine Department of Transportation to talk about the design of their curb cut, and will talk to the management company that owns the marina building to find out what they intend to do about the piled-up snow in the parking area.
ldixon@sunjournal.com
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- Planning Board Chairman Dennis Gray reviews the original plans of the marina building at 295 Lake Road in Norway during a presentation Thursday on putting a tobacco store in one of the spaces.
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- Kyle Mayberry of Norway proposes a tobacco retail shop at the marina building on Lake Street in Norway to the Planning Board on Thursday night.
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