KENNEBUNK – Audrey and Richard Williamson are challenging Kennebunk’s Site Plan Review Board approval of the proposed major commercial development at the corner of Ross Road and Portland Road (Route 1).

The Zoning Board of Appeals hears appeals to decisions made by the Code Enforcement Officer and town land use boards such as the SPRB. The Williamson’s appeal will be heard at Kennebunk Town Hall on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

The Williamsons will make their case to overturn the SPRB decision as aggrieved parties. According to Article 11, Section 5.1H of the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Kennebunk, “Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Site Plan Review Board on a site plan application may appeal the same within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision to the Board of Appeals, and the procedure therefore shall be as set forth in Article 6, Section 3, of this Ordinance.”

Having completed the administrative requirements of Article 6, Section 3, the Williamson’s appeal is based on several grounds of financial and physical impact directly related to the proposed widening of Ross Road:

• They believe they will suffer devaluation of their property (across Ross Road from the proposed development). An appraiser with Vision Government Solutions, Inc confirmed the adverse impact on their property’s assessed value.

• Increased traffic, dangerous road conditions and loss of landscaping will diminish the enjoyment of their property.

• They are fearful that the vibration of heavy construction vehicles and the required road widening work will shatter mortar and cause dangerous structural shift in their concrete-block, unreinforced foundation house, built in 1958.

• Trees, plants and lawn will be lost due to salting and runoff from snowplowing, new asphalt and compacted soil. Large trees will have to be cut down to accommodate utility wires.

• The Williamsons described the effect of the proposed loss of 8-10 feet of their driveway, eliminating their ability to park their utility trailer and personal vehicles, and preventing  their capability to turn around. That would force them to back out onto Ross Road. “Backing out onto Ross Road is not safe and the increase in traffic created by the new subdivision (Coastal Village of the Kennebunks) will only make it worse,” stated Audrey Williamson.

A final point made by the Williamsons was that the applicant, Charles River Realty Group LLC, did not present a alternate development plan that depicted the widening of Ross Road on the south side, the side of development. This alternative would leave the north side of the road undisturbed and therefore somewhat protect abutter properties.