Citing the need for more information, the Scarborough Zoning Board of Appeals again tabled the Lighthouse Inn’s request for two variances that would allow it to convert the 22-unit motel to six condominiums units and add a third story.

This is the second time the board has tabled the requests and asked for more information. This time the board asked the applicants, Peter and Nicholas Truman, to review three aspects of the plan and resubmit it to the board at a later date.

The three sticking points for the board were the proposed renovation of the freestanding office building located behind the motel, the proposal to build a third floor, and the parking garages that are proposed to enter and exit directly onto Pine Point Road.

The Trumans are requesting permission to convert and expand the nonconforming 22-unit motel into a six-unit condominium. They also are asking for permission to add a third story.

They are contending that although the lot is non-conforming, the conversation will bring a non-conforming use closer in tune with the current use of the area, which is primarily residential.

“This six-unit condominium is definitely more in the spirit and more in keeping with the residential character (of Pine Point),” said Andy Hyland, of Port City Architects, which is developing the renovation plans. “We think it’s a less intense use.”

But the board had concerns about the proposed renovation of the freestanding office building behind the motel. The Trumans want to add a third floor and renovate the unit into one of the six condominiums.

In 1996 the town approved an appeal that allowed its construction and specified the building could not used as living space. If the current request were granted, the restriction would no longer be in effect, unless the board specifically said it could not be expanded or renovated. In addition, other board members did not like the design of the building, which would include a third floor, and wanted it either removed, or not used as a living area.

Another area of concern was the location of the proposed garages. As presented during the meeting, the garages would be on the building’s ground floor in front of Pine Point Road. Each unit would have one garage. Hyland said the owners are trying to sell the units to a high-scale market and a garage is an amenity they feel should be included.

However, the board was concerned about the safety of allowing someone to back out of the garage directly onto a public road. Hyland said he has had a similar appeal approved in Portland and added they are common in some U.S. cities. But board members felt the plan was not safe and asked the applicants to rework the garage situation when they come before the board again.

Finally, some board members were concerned with the addition of a third story and felt it was increasing the size of a non-conforming parcel and making it more non-conforming than it was before.

Prior to the discussion, the board read a number of letters from residents and property owners expressing their views on the plan. Some of the people were in favor of the project. Those who were not felt the process was moving too fast and was excluding summer residents.

Board Chairman Patrick Dryzga said the board has no control over the speed of the project. He said it is the board’s role to hear and ultimately decide on an appeal the night it is discussed, unless it is tabled by the applicant or the board decides to table it for further information.

Still, residents were concerned about the overall appearance and construction of the inn. As part of his presentation, Hyland showed pictures of other three-story buildings at Pine Point. But residents said there were no examples of a three-story condo.

“The character of the neighborhood doesn’t include multiplexes that are three stories high,” said resident John Thurlow.

Many residents also cited a proposed land swap with the town as part of their concerns. But Hyland said the request has been dropped because it only complicates the issue. Part of the land swap included a small sliver of the Lighthouse Inn’s property that is in the shoreland zone.

The permission to convert to condos cannot be given if the property is in the shoreland zone. In order to get around this problem, the Trumans have decided to deed the parcel to the town, although the Town Council has not yet accepted the deed.