Property Owner Tells Board Mini-Golf Could be Next

By Paul Sylvain

The Machias Planning Board, on Dec. 4, granted conditional approval to a plan by Justin Albee to operate a drive-thru coffee shop from a 16-foot by 20-foot building at 222 Dublin Street. Albee is leasing the piece of land from the property’s owner, Chris Meroff.

A 10-foot by 20-foot shed-like building was recently moved to the corner lot at the intersection of Dublin Street/Route 1 and the Kennebec Road. In fact, it may look familiar to customers of the seasonally-open Sugar & Crumbs Bakery in Milbridge. It’s the same building.

Albee said he plans to build a six-foot by 20-foot extension on the back of the building, which will be connected to town sewer and water. Albee estimated the cost of the project at $20,000.

The lot, meanwhile, is part of a 3.5-acre property once owned by the late Gene Rier, who, decades ago, operated Rier Buick there. The property is now finding new life under Meroff’s ownership. 

On Aug. 22, Meroff, who owns and operates West Branch Farms on West Kennebec Road, opened a food truck eatery there called “Boldly Go Burrito.” It closed for the season in early fall, and the food truck has been removed from the lot for the time being. 

But Meroff told the planning board that his plans for the property behind the coffee shop are to eventually build an 18-hole miniature golf course.

“We’re going to have food trucks there,” said Meroff, who was at the meeting with Albee. “We’re moving our cafe from where we have it on the [West Branch] farm to this drive-thru. And then up behind is where we want to put in a mini golf [course]. That is our goal for that property.”

Much of the early discussion, however, centered on a line-by-line review of the building permit application for the drive-thru coffee shop.

“Technically, by law, any time we approve or don't approve [a permit], we have to put something in writing that we keep on record, as to how we came to whatever decision we came to,” planning board member Andrew Mulholland told Albee. “By law, we have to have it.” 

Reading from the application, Board Chairman Harry Flowers told Albee, “You’re going to be attaching to the sewer system, so we do need a copy of the sewer entrance permit and a plan showing how you’re going to connect to it. The next thing is, we’re going to need a copy of the deed or lease of the land.”

“He’s the owner [of the property],” Albee said, referring to Meroff. “Do you want a copy of the lease, saying he’s going to lease it to the coffee shop?” “It says a copy of the deed, lease, or other evidence of ownership or control,” replied Flowers, prompting Meroff to jump in, saying, “I have a copy of the deed.” 

Addressing water drainage on the property, Mulholland explained that a stormwater permit is required, if more than 40,000 square feet of disturbed soil is involved. 

“So, then the question would become how much square footage do you have here?” asked Mulholland. “Gravel is considered an impermeable surface, and actually lawn is like 50 percent [impermeable].” 

While the coffee shop project doesn’t appear to involve that much square footage, Muholland said he would prefer deferring that decision to Machias Public Works Director Mike Schoppee, who will come out and take a look. 

The board determined that shoreland zoning restrictions were not applicable and that the lot had adequate road frontage. Still, an entrance permit for vehicular access remains to be determined by the Department of Transportation.

In the end, board members Mulholland, Arthur McCurdy, and Chairman Flowers voted unanimously to conditionally approve the coffee shop permit, pending receipt of the vehicle entrance permit from DOT, water draining approval by Schoppee, and documents related to hooking into town sewer and water.

Mulholland explained that not having a record of what the board considered in reaching a decision “has bit the town in the ass in the past.” He emphasized to Albee and Meroff, “It’s not intentionally to bust your chops. It’s to cover not only our hind ends but yours.”

“Personally, the thing that [irks me], is the disregard for where water goes onto the neighbors or how it affects the town’s system, and putting the town in a position where we could be liable or sued for something,” Mulholland said after the vote. “We have to adhere to these [rules and regulations], especially the shoreland zoning laws, and things like sounds, lights, and smells. That’s the kind of thing that grinds me. But after that, I don’t care what you do with your property. And I think most people in the community feel that way.”

From left, Justin Albee, Machias Planning Board Chairman Harry Flowers, Interim Machias Operations Manager Sarah Craighead Dedmon, Chris Meroff (back to), and board members Andrew Muholland and Arthur McCurdy, discussing plans for a drive-thru coffee shop on Dec. 4. (Photo courtesy Paul Sylvain)

Machias Planning Board member Andrew Mulholland explaining state requirements for water drainage during the discussion for a building permit of a proposed drive-thru coffee shop on outer Dublin Street Dec. 4. (Photo courtesy Paul Sylvain)