By Molly Lovell
Editor
    The Scarborough Planning Board reviewed a site plan for a 69-unit Comfort Suites hotel proposed for 329 U.S. Rte. One at their regular meeting Monday, June 4.
     The three-story, 35,554 square foot hotel is proposed at the site of the vacant Classic Inn next to Scarborough Downs. A few years ago an Econolodge was proposed for the site, but plans fell through.
      Owner’s Representative Dana Adams with Opechee Construction Corporation presented site plans to the board Monday night.
     The board appeared pleased with the architecture of the building as it fits into the town’s design standards. One of the issues when the Econolodge tried to secure the site a few years ago was that the design was very standard, according to Planning Board Chair Susan Auglis.
     “We do so appreciate when applicants understand what we’re looking for. What makes for a really good development is when people come into town and want to be good neighbors,” she said.
     Scarborough has a set of design standards in place that encourages New England style architure.
      Auglis said most developers understand the standards and come to the board prepared with plans that reflect New England style architecture. “I think Scarborough is shaping up nicely in a very short period of time. We’re working with willing owners and developers who want to invest in this as a town they care about.”
     Planning Board members made several suggestions to the hotel plan in terms of lighting, shrubbery, the color of the building and sidewalks.
     The town is currently asking everyone who builds along Rte. One to at least grant an easement for a sidewalk so that eventually, there will be an interconnected sidewalk system along Rte. One. The idea is consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan to improve Rte. One.
     Auglis said the town requests that a developer puts in a sidewalk, however, that’s merely a request and it’s up in the air in terms of how the construction of the sidewalk is scheduled. She said it’s a situation that needs to be looked at more closely in terms of ordinances.
     Town Planner Dan Bacon said four years ago Sullivan Tire installed a sidewalk along Rte. One in front of their building. “For four years Sullivan Tire had a sidewalk that led to nowhere.” Now that the old Moosehead Motel site is being built on, they will fill in their sidewalk, which will eventually link to other destinations along Rte. One, he said.
     Auglis said it might be in the hotel’s best interest to put in a sidewalk in anticipation of incoming retail at the Orion Center further north on Rte. One. Auglis couldn’t confirm any timeline for when the long time vacant center could see activity, but she said it’s her belief that if an anchor store were to come in, other smaller retails might follow suit.
     In terms of development in the Orion Center, Auglis said it would be nice to see small, local businesses show interest in making a home there.  She pointed to the Little Dolphin Marketplace and their success with the small, local retail that’s housed there.
     Adams said Tuesday morning that he was hoping the plan would gain approval at Monday’s meeting, but said he heard a lot of positive comments and plans to be before the board their next meeting.
     In other business, Scarborough Gallery, LLC underwent a sketch plan review for at 90,739 square foot retail center on Lot 7 at Gallery Boulevard at Monday’s meeting.
     Lot 7, which is 90,000 square feet will contain five retail businesses and parking for roughly 545 vehicles. Lot 7 is adjacent to the Gallery’s already approved anchor store, Wal-Mart and Lowes. Other smaller sites already approved are Red Robin and Texas Roadhouse restaurants.
     Planning Board members appeared pleased with the idea of having five smaller tenants on the property rather than one large tenant. Nancy St. Clair, senior project manager said negotiations are still under way with potential tenants for the property, so she couldn’t reveal any names.
     Planning Board members also looked at a sketch plan for a proposed McDonald’s Restaurant on Lot 9 at Gallery Boulevard. The proposed building is nearly 3,900 square feet and contains roughly 46 parking spaces.
     The sketch plan for the building, however, did not contain plans for a New England style building. The proposed building has a brick façade with white stucco and a flat roof.
     “Quite frankly, it’s not close to what we’re looking for,” Auglis said. The board suggested the engineer look at the town’s design standards more closely before coming back with another plan.