Green Acres land eyed for subdivisions

A six-acre parcel of land that abuts property in the Green Acres neighborhood may soon be developed for residential use and green space conservation.

Town Planner Dan Bacon said he has met with developer Joseph Frustaci of Cape Elizabeth, who wants to subdivide the land into seven to eight lots for housing. 

Bacon said Frustaci is considering using the town’s conservation subdivision design, which would require 50 percent of land remain undeveloped. Chris Paszyc of CBRE/The Boulos Co., confirmed the parcel is under contract.

The property, located at 20 Elmwood Ave., was listed for sale   by the Maine Department of Transportation for $695,000.

Bacon said although residential construction there is allowed by current zoning ordinances, Frustaci would have to go before the Planning Board for subdivision review and approval before construction could begin.

Last November the land caught the attention of Portland-based Maine Eye Care Center, which expressed interest in expanding its office to the area. 

The move would have required the land be rezoned from a Residential (R-2) zone, to a Business Office Research district (BOR) zone.

Residents in the area opposed the zoning change and the same month formed the group, Save Green Acres. 

Deborah Histen, who founded the group, said the land serves as a buffer between the nearby connector to Interstate 295 and the neighborhood. She said a new business would bring increased traffic, noise and light to the area, which is home to many families with children. Histen could not be reached for comment by Leader deadline.

On Dec. 1 the Town Council unanimously decided not to rezone the land and the parcel remained on the market.

Current zoning regulations allow the land to be developed for a variety of uses including single-family homes, hospice care facility, school, places of worship and day care facility.

Decision delayed on Homer property

A Zoning Board of Appeals hearing for a building permit to issued to the Doris Homer Trust has been tabled until April 13. The trust plans to construct a home adjacent to the Winslow Homer studio on Prout’s Neck. 

The Portland Museum of Art filed an appeal against trust on Dec. 17 because it has an easement for a septic tank on the property.

The issue was tabled at the request of lawyers who represent the Portland Museum of Art and other abutters because a full voting board was not present for the March 9 hearing. Of the six members, Martin Macisso and Richard Loisel were not present.

“As a public institution, we are responsible to protect the rights of the studio for the people of Maine and American history and to preserve the location where Winslow Homer lived and worked for future generations,” said Museum Director Mark Bessire in a prepared statement.

Other abutters of the Winslow Homer studio also filed an appeal because they are concerned the construction of a separate septic tank on the property would infringe upon their property, said Code Enforcement Officer David Grysk 

Grysk issued the Doris Homer Trust a building permit on Nov. 17 and said it fulfilled all necessary conditions to develop the property.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 13 at town hall.

Public hearing scheduled for state park

A Zoning Board of Appeals hearing for development of an access area for Scarborough Beach State Park has been tabled until March 31. 

Black Point Resource Management had made changes to the plan that the board decided warranted a public hearing. 

Changes included addition of one-half mile of walking trails leading to and from the access area, picnic areas, a playground and multi-purpose recreational field.
Developer Seth Sprague on Jan. 12 outlined plans to the zoning board for a 500-space parking lot, concession stand, access road, pavilion and picnic grilling area on a 64-acre parcel of land located farther down the beach from the main entrance to the beach.

He also said it would require a special building permit to develop land currently zoned as a rural and farming district.

The public hearing will be 7 p.m March 31 at town hall.