KENNEBUNK — A proposal to alter zoning off Route 9 in Kennebunk to allow for the development of a cell tower has been submitted to the Kennebunk Planning Board, but the board requires additional information before the plan moves forward in other meetings.

The proposal would change the current zoning of rural land off Route 9 near Harts Road and Parsons Beach and would allow the development of a cell tower in the area. The proposal is called the Harts Road Contract Zone.

Tim Dwight, a member of the Parsons Family Beach, submitted the proposal in hopes to improve cell service and communication in the area.

According to Town Planner Judy Bernstein, the area is currently in the rural conservation district, which emphasizes remaining rural with little development, and protecting the natural areas that exist within that area.

“His proposal really takes a 33-acre parcel and proposes a 200 by 200 square foot box where a cell tower would be located within it,” Bernstein said. “It would have access and right of way and utility easement running to it from Western Avenue.”

Bernstein added that Dwight is not yet ready to go to public hearing with the proposal, and the board still has questions regarding information on the full extent of the wetlands that exist in the area, as well as the location of protected vernal pools and the required setbacks from those spots.

The tower, which Dwight said Verizon has shown interest in, would be about 125 feet high.

The proposal was addressed at a Planning Board meeting held on Dec. 12. Bernstein said there were about eight letters submitted ahead of the meeting by various abutters and neighbors in opposition to the proposal.

They said they don’t experience communication problems and were worried about the towers size and close proximity to the Rachel Carson Wildlife Preserve.

However, Bernstein added that others have spoken to her saying they are having communication problems in the area.