Mike Wellman of D.M.&J. Enterprises, based in Winterport, came before the board with a sketch plan for a construction debris and wood waste facility to be sited near the Ellsworth Transfer Station off Boggy Brook Road.

The proposed site is in the R2 (Rural) zone, which doesn’t allow solid waste facilities.

The adjacent transfer station is in the industrial zone, which does permit such activities.

Code Enforcement Officer Dwight Tilton, who favored approving the application, noted that the R2 zone allows sawmills and auto graveyards.

The board did not concur.

“The fact that they’re defined separately tells me the ordinance is intended to be followed as written,” said Board Chairman John Fink.

Board member Joe Kitchen said, “To me it seems like a no-brainer. This is a perfect location for this type of debris…You’d probably wouldn’t even know it was there.”

“I agree it’s a proper use, but I don’t think the city gives us the right to change something in a zone,” added board member Don Martin.

City Planner Michele Gagnon told the board the city would help the applicant obtain a zone change for the parcel if the board didn’t approve the project.

“That would be the best course,” said Fink.

D.M.&J. Enterprises, which has been handling solid waste disposal since 1996, will service local disposal companies and its own existing clients.

The business proposed for Boggy Brook Road will take construction debris and wood waste from residents as well as businesses and will collect metal in the future.

City Council approval, with input from the Planning Board, is needed for zone changes.

The Planning Board considers the request then sends a letter to the council stating it either recommends or doesn’t recommend the change or has no recommendation.