Thomaston Planning Board Weighs Self-Storage Rules, Zoning Updates

The Thomaston Planning Board met on October 5, 2026, to discuss a property owner's proposal to add self-storage units in the R2 zone and broader zoning questions it raised. The board also reviewed proposed changes to the noise and timber harvesting ordinances and began looking at the R1 and TR3 districts. No formal votes were taken, and several items were tabled for further research.

Key points

• A property owner, identified as Tim, asked about converting part of his building to self-storage in the R2 zone, which is not currently allowed there.
• Board members debated the blurry line between a "storage facility" and a "self-storage facility," with access and doors cited as the main difference.
• The board suggested Tim explore a single enclosed building with interior units, which could qualify as a conditional use storage facility rather than self-storage.
• A board member raised concern that conditional use applications do not notify abutters, calling it a transparency gap; the chair cited cost and staffing limits.
• The board reviewed and agreed on revised noise ordinance decibel levels, keeping the same hours.
• Timber harvesting rules were discussed, with members disagreeing on whether to require conditional use approval or simply reference state Title 12 regulations.

Next steps

• Tim will check with his manufacturer on the cost of a single enclosed storage building and report back to the town planner.
• The town planner will research how other towns regulate timber harvesting and contact state forestry officials.
• The board will continue work on R2, R1, and TR3 zoning, including possible overlay districts and a shoreline zone.
• The town planner will meet with the town attorney on Friday to begin work on LD 1829 and 2173 ordinance updates.
• Public hearings on the ordinance revisions are expected in March and April.

Read the full transcript