SoPo officials aim to quell fears over waterfront restaurant
The South Portland City Council unanimously approved plans for a waterfront restaurant at the city-owned Spring Point Marina.
But some residents from the nearby Breakwater condominiums are worried that the proposed restaurant could create noise, lighting and parking problems.
Port Harbor Marine, a family-owned business, and Laura Argitis, owner of Portland’s Old Port Sea Grill, are partnering for the project. The quaint, one-story former Joe’s Boathouse restaurant — which has been closed since November — will be replaced with a sleek, two-story building with a pair of decks and large windows overlooking the marina and Casco Bay.
“It’s beautiful, it’s big, it’s going to be popular,” South Portland resident Judy Kline told the Portland Press Herald. “It’s going to raise the possibility of more people at parties making more noise and staying up later with music.”
City officials counter that just because the plan received unanimous approval doesn’t mean the plan won’t face rigorous code enforcement and planning process reviews. They urged residents to air grievances with the planning board.
Rob Soucy, president of Port Harbor Marine, said he understands the worry of nearby residents, but said the business will close by 10 p.m. and the new building will also be 20 feet away from the property line.
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