RANGELEY – Three area groups will bring an appeal regarding the sale of boat slips or “dockominiums” at Haines Landing Marina in Oquossoc before the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals on Oct. 3.

A public hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Rangeley Town Office, Code Enforcement Officer Robert Griscom said. The appeal is administrative, which means either his and/or the Planning Board’s decision are being appealed, Griscom said.

Because the new owner of the marina is selling rather than leasing or renting dock space, the groups appealed questioning if the project should be reviewed as a subdivision, he said. The town has looked at it and doesn’t think it is because he’s not changing the use of the slips, just changing ownership by selling them as one would sell a condominium, Griscom said.

The three appealing groups, Mooselookmeguntic Improvement Association, Haines Landing Cottage Owners Association and the Rangeley Crossroad Coalition, look at it differently.

James Proctor, chairman of the Rangeley Crossroad Coalition, said Wednesday that the group is not against the dockominiums but thinks it is a subdivision and should go before the planning board so people could explain their concerns.

“This dockominium thing, it’s almost like Rangeley isn’t ready for it yet,” he said. “We strongly feel it is a subdivision and if it is then it should go before our planning board and that’s why we are appealing the decision of our code enforcement officer.”

Meanwhile, owner Larry Spellman of Abbadrew Realty Trust in Ossipee, N.H., has already sold some of the dock slips and is waiting to close on others.

Buyers receive a deed and title to the slip and become part of an association similar to condominium associations.

Association members pay annual dues but own the slip forever. The docks become a common area for association members.

Spellman feels he has done everything according to town rules.

“The town hasn’t shied away but has taken responsibility for what they have done,” he said. “I can’t see where people say they aren’t abiding.”

Regardless of the appeals outcome, someone could take the case to court, Griscom said. The appeals board is the first step before taking the issue to Superior Court, Griscom said.