Newcastle Planning Board denies assembly permit, proposes right-to-farm amendment

The Newcastle Planning Board denied a special use permit for the Newcastle Inn to host public events, ruling that the property retains a pre-existing non-conforming use for food service. The board also introduced a draft right-to-farm amendment to the zoning code to better align local regulations with the comprehensive plan and state agricultural laws.

Key points

• The board voted 4-0 to deny the application for an assembly permit at 60 River Road, concluding the use definition did not fit the requested activities.
• Board members determined that the inn's historical service of food and beverages constitutes a continuing non-conforming use, allowing the owners to serve the public without a new permit.
• The chair noted that the current zoning code lacks adequate provisions for agriculture, prompting the introduction of a draft right-to-farm amendment.
• Public commenters raised concerns about parking congestion on River Road and the timing of the inn's seasonal capacity changes.
• The board agreed to review the right-to-farm draft further, noting that Maine's Agricultural Protection Act requires a 90-day review by the Department of Agriculture before enactment.

Next steps

• The board will review the draft right-to-farm amendment and associated memo at the next meeting.
• The code enforcement officer will provide feedback on potential worst-case scenarios for the right-to-farm language.
• The board will determine if the right-to-farm amendment should proceed to the Department of Agriculture for the required 90-day review.

Read the full transcript