Haigis development inches closer to approval
Haigis development inches closer to approval
By Zack Anchors
Staff writer
New England Expedition LLC, the developers behind the proposed Cabela's development off the Haigis Parkway, are only two town meetings away from moving ahead with their plans.
At the Dec. 6 Town Council meeting, a public hearing was held for two items related to the $74 million development – a contract zone that will allow the Cabela's store and signs to be larger than town ordinance allows and amendments to the Haigis Parkway tax increment financing district. On Dec. 20, the Town Council will vote on those two items and on Jan. 8, the Planning Board will vote on a final site plan approval for the development. After that, NNE will be free to begin construction – which they say they are anxious to do.
Since the planning process for the development began, there has been virtually no public opposition in Scarborough. At several public hearings that have been held, the most vocal concerns of residents and town officials have been centered on traffic problems that may result from the estimated three million visitors the store is estimated to draw in its first year open. At the Dec. 6 meeting, two residents of Payne Road urged the council to look closely at the impact the development will have on traffic on Payne Road and the people that live there. Both men have said they are generally in support of the development.
Payne Road resident Charles Griffith said at the hearing that he thinks the project is moving ahead too fast, leaving the council and Planning Board unable to give full consideration to traffic issues. He made several suggestions about how the traffic plan for the development might be altered.
Councilor Jeff Messer, who is now serving as council chair, said that although the council could consider traffic calming measures on Payne Road, it was up to the Planning Board to deal specifically with the traffic plans for NNE's development.
"The Town Council doesn't even get a copy of the traffic study," said Messer. "That's all done by the Planning Board."
Councilor Sylvia Most said she thought it was appropriate for the council to receive the same presentation on traffic that the Planning Board had received at their last meeting. Town Manager Ron Owens said he would arrange for that to happen.
Attorney Rick Shinay, representing NNE, said the development has so far received "provisional, conditional, preliminary approval" from the Planning Board. He said that before the board could grant final approval, the contract zone needed to be approved by the council and the developers needed to address concerns of the board related to architecture, landscaping, signage, and traffic.
By Zack Anchors
Staff writer
New England Expedition LLC, the developers behind the proposed Cabela's development off the Haigis Parkway, are only two town meetings away from moving ahead with their plans.
At the Dec. 6 Town Council meeting, a public hearing was held for two items related to the $74 million development – a contract zone that will allow the Cabela's store and signs to be larger than town ordinance allows and amendments to the Haigis Parkway tax increment financing district. On Dec. 20, the Town Council will vote on those two items and on Jan. 8, the Planning Board will vote on a final site plan approval for the development. After that, NNE will be free to begin construction – which they say they are anxious to do.
Since the planning process for the development began, there has been virtually no public opposition in Scarborough. At several public hearings that have been held, the most vocal concerns of residents and town officials have been centered on traffic problems that may result from the estimated three million visitors the store is estimated to draw in its first year open. At the Dec. 6 meeting, two residents of Payne Road urged the council to look closely at the impact the development will have on traffic on Payne Road and the people that live there. Both men have said they are generally in support of the development.
Payne Road resident Charles Griffith said at the hearing that he thinks the project is moving ahead too fast, leaving the council and Planning Board unable to give full consideration to traffic issues. He made several suggestions about how the traffic plan for the development might be altered.
Councilor Jeff Messer, who is now serving as council chair, said that although the council could consider traffic calming measures on Payne Road, it was up to the Planning Board to deal specifically with the traffic plans for NNE's development.
"The Town Council doesn't even get a copy of the traffic study," said Messer. "That's all done by the Planning Board."
Councilor Sylvia Most said she thought it was appropriate for the council to receive the same presentation on traffic that the Planning Board had received at their last meeting. Town Manager Ron Owens said he would arrange for that to happen.
Attorney Rick Shinay, representing NNE, said the development has so far received "provisional, conditional, preliminary approval" from the Planning Board. He said that before the board could grant final approval, the contract zone needed to be approved by the council and the developers needed to address concerns of the board related to architecture, landscaping, signage, and traffic.
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