Amistad moves toward proposed uses of space at St. Philip’s
Event has passed
The Wiscasset planning board was set to take up one of Portland-based nonprofit Amistad’s proposals June 12 until Chair Karl Olson determined, based on town ordinances, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission’s Emily Rabbe will handle it and the planning board will review her decision. So the board’s June 12 meeting was canceled for lack of business, according to Olson’s June 6 email.
That proposal is for a wellness center at St. Philip’s Church, 12 Hodge St., in an office that, according to the application, measures 10 feet by 12 feet and has been a church official’s office.
The application signed by Amistad Executive Director Brian Townsend states, “Amistad’s program will provide one-on-one Recovery Coaching and community navigation, and provide support groups.”
While the application for a site plan review describes the proposed use as a charitable, community program, Amistad’s Harbor Peer and Wellness Center, Portland, also applied for a business license. That application states the business description as “Community resource and recovery center, under State contract.”
Town Manager Dennis Simmons explained in response to questions last week, “The answer as to why they need a business license is very simple. The town’s business license ordinance requires any business entity, including nonprofits to obtain (one). The application of a business license may trigger other requirements, such as planning board approval, which is what happened in this case.”
Townsend told Wiscasset Newspaper last week, the need for the business license “was surprising to us ... But, it was the town’s interpretation that we needed to pursue the license to operate, so that’s what we are doing.”
At last check, the town had received no application for the other proposed project, for apartments upstairs at the church. Via email June 7 in response to questions, Townsend said Amistad still plans to propose the project. “We are currently working with an architect. We will submit once we have a site plan to propose.”
Townsend said Amistad has not sought an extension on its MaineHousing grant for that project; the grant called for the project to be done by next winter. “We have not made that request yet, but anticipate needing to ask for additional time.”
