A parcel of land in Lamoine eyed by developers for a “glamping” resort will now be permanently protected.
The Frenchman Bay Conservancy announced Tuesday morning that it acquired 228 acres on Partridge Cove. The nonprofit said the acquisition will protect a third of a mile of shoreline and wetlands.
Partridge Cove is unique because it is nearly undeveloped while other nearby coves on Frenchman Bay have been “substantially” developed, fragmenting habit for coastal birds, according to the Frenchman Bay Conservancy.
“This land protection effort was an opportunity to support the self-determination of the residents of the Town of Lamoine, and their decision to protect open space and maintain the character of their community,” said Aaron Dority, the conservancy’s executive director. “Conserving this property is a win-win because it creates additional recreational opportunities desired by the town while also protecting the vulnerable habitats that are critical for maintaining climate resilient ecosystems.”
That parcel is part of a larger 667-acres forested block where developers from Arizona-based Clear Sky Resorts sought to create a luxury “glamping resort.”
Developers submitted plans to the Lamoine Planning Board in January 2023. They sought to build 103 fully furnished domed structures complete with air conditioning, electricity and personal bathrooms for tourists and others drawn to the region by Acadia National Park.
But those plans rankled locals, and in August 2023, Lamoine residents voted to impose a moratorium on “glamping” resorts. Voters there will decide on March 31 whether to make that moratorium permanent. A similar proposal on the western side of Mount Desert Island in Tremont also met with pushback from locals, while another in Surry came to fruition and opened for business in 2021.
“It is gratifying to see that the groundswell of opposition to the proposed glampground has yielded a significant land conservation achievement, thanks to FBC,” said Larissa Thomas, the chair of the Lamoine Conservation Commission.
The Frenchman Bay Conservancy is now raising $146,500 to improve and maintain the protected parcel on Partridge Cove. It plans to build a gravel parking lot to allow public access to the land.
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published 2024-03-26 20:16:48
