DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is it possible for an individual to get the zoning where his land is located changed from agricultural to residential? If so, how does one go about changing the zoning?

The land is in Auburn. Thank you for any assistance you can give! — Donna via email

ANSWER: For an answer, Sun Spots turned to Eric J. Cousens, city planner/director of planning and permitting for Auburn:

“It is possible if the change is consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan. In order for zoning to be legal it must not be arbitrary and a community must have a long-range plan as a foundation for a zoning ordinance.

“The city of Auburn has a long planning history with the first land use plan being drafted in 1919. The 1958 plan established the Farm and Forest District to prevent sprawling residential land use and allow the city to grow in an orderly, concentric pattern as the community saw fit to open additional land for development.

“The Farm and Forest zone later became the Agriculture and Resource Protection (AG/RP) zone that we have today. The latest Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2011 does allow for some additional land to transition from AG/RP to other residential or industrial uses, but those areas are generally near and/or connected to other developed areas.

“Anyone can petition the city for a change, and we are always happy to help with the process and answer questions about specific proposals and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.

“The Comprehensive Plan can be viewed at www.auburnmaine.gov/CMSContent/Planning/Comprehensive_Plan_FINAL_Approved_4_19_11.pdf”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there by some chance a public place in the Lewiston-Auburn region where a person may fly kites? Thank you. — Karl, Greene

ANSWER: Sun Spots imagines that the biggest difficulty in kite flying in Maine is all the trees, followed by power lines. She cannot think of any local place, but surely readers will. A farm field after harvesting might be a good option.

An oceanfront beach would be ideal. If you are in Portland, there is a park on the Eastern Promenade that might serve.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m still looking for someone who can repair a marimba for me. If anyone knows where I can get a hard cardboard tube 1 3/4 inches in diameter (shippers do not carry that size), I will try to repair it.

Also, does anyone know where I can buy a harmonica with instructions on learning to play? This is for a young person.

Thanks for all the help you give to us. — Sheila Patrick, 783-9747

ANSWER: The last time Sheila wrote, Sun Spots was unable to help, but this time she found a website, www.marimbas.com for Fall Creek Marimbas in Victor, N.Y. It says they repair marimbas and can get the parts. Try calling them at 585-924-4790.

As for the harmonica, there are endless sources online, but Sun Spots imagines that your handwritten letter indicates a preference for a local source. Readers, can you help?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for gently used, center-aisle gondola shelving. My preference for width and height is somewhat flexible and to be discussed.

I have found one company in the Lewiston area that advertises having the shelving, but found, after driving there twice and numerous phone calls, that the employees did not remember talking with me on the phone or meeting me in person.

I would appreciate any help Sun Spots or its readers might give me. Thanks in advance. — Sylvia McCann, 207-674-2114, West Paris, sylviamccann@hotmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots suspects that if the owner of the store, which you did not name, sees this letter, employees will get an earful.

As for Sun Spots, she’d never heard of gondola shelving, so she looked it up online. It looks like the standalone shelving you see in stores, with shelves on both sides of a center partition. There are many online sources for this shelving, but it would be heavy to ship. 

A store that is closing would be a good source. You might want to call enterprises that liquidate businesses. One option is Matt LaJoy, Everything Warehouse, 12 Westminster St., Lewiston, 782-6300, 632-5302. Also, perhaps Marden’s?

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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