FARMINGTON – Conversion of a storage building at 184 Main St. was approved by the Planning Board Monday, although some members questioned a potential loss of parking spaces in the municipal lot.

Part of what most people consider public downtown parking is owned by William Marceau, who purchased the Witt Brothers Rexall property and adjacent buildings. Witt’s owned a portion of the town lot but allowed it to be used for public parking. A survey was done to reinforce property lines, Marceau said.

Space for a business, Black Bear Graphics, and a second office, along with plans for three two-bedroom apartments in the storage building next to Rexall means filling in the underpass from a parking area between Rexall and Webber Insurance that leads into the municipal lot.

Marceau plans to petition the town to make the drive into the lot a dead-end street to be called Marceau Court, he said Tuesday. It will be used for tenant parking but not by customers of the new Tranten’s grocery store being developed in the former Rexall store.

Marceau intends to designate 18 spaces in the municipal lot for Tranten’s customers and tenants of the converted building. A fence will designate spots, and the spots will be monitored.

While board members questioned the expectations of the public, they agreed that the property belongs to Marceau and he has the right to do what he wants with it.

While many communities are experiencing a decline in their downtown areas, Marceau voiced his optimism for the growth of second and third floors in some downtown buildings, activity that will increase the need for parking. He hopes, he said, that in the future the town will consider a parking garage in the municipal lot.

While the downtown is experiencing some growing pains, Marceau said, it could be worse with nothing going on.

Marceau is concentrating on getting the Tranten store area finished for a mid-January opening. Work on the storage building will begin after the first of the year.

The board also approved an application from Nathan and Amy Morin, owners of Black Bears Graphic, to move their business from their home in Industry to the converted building. Approval was given with the condition that the Morins, who run a screen print and embroidery business, keep a record or log of chemical disposal from the business.