Mount Desert Planning Board approves substation update, continues tennis club application

The Town of Mount Desert Planning Board approved a conditional use application for Versent Power to modify a substation in Northeast Harbor, allowing for easier maintenance and storm response. The board continued a separate application for the Northeast Harbor Tennis Club to November 12, citing concerns about highway safety and the impact of increased traffic on town services. A third application regarding a pier repair at 10 Barnacles Way was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Key points

• The board approved the Versent Power application to replace a brick control house with a mobile substation pad, with a condition to replace any removed vegetation with 6 to 8 foot evergreen screening trees.
• The Northeast Harbor Tennis Club application was continued to November 12 at 6:00 p.m. by a 4-1 vote, with the board requesting the applicant address highway safety and town service impacts.
• Public comment on the tennis club project highlighted long-standing congestion and parking issues on Tennis Club Road, with residents expressing concern that adding courts and changing the entrance would worsen traffic.
• The board discussed the need for the tennis club to provide a plan for managing parking during high-traffic events, potentially involving coordination with public safety officials.
• The board began reviewing a pier repair application for 10 Barnacles Way, where an abutter argued the project requires a full DEP permit rather than a repair exemption due to new pilings.

Next steps

• The tennis club applicant must return on November 12 with a plan addressing highway safety and impact on town services, including potential additional parking or event management strategies.
• The Versent Power applicant must ensure any vegetation removed for the substation project is replaced with appropriate screening trees.

Read the full transcript The agenda