FARMINGTON – The town’s planning board has approved a condominium project on Main Street that was stalled Monday night by confusion about whether the property falls within the village historic district.

Board members unanimously voted to green light the project, which will construct a building behind the apartments and office space in the existing building at 223 Main St. in Farmington.
 
Bill Marceau, the property owner for the condominium project, described the decision as the end of a long, frustrating process.
 
“Unfortunately there was a minority of residents that had some issues with the project,” he said, referring to challenges raised by a small group of residents who are opposed to the development.
 
Marceau’s plan consists of building the condominium to house six units for residents ages 55 and above. He said the project will meet a dire need for housing in town for this age group.
 
Christie James, who owns property next to Marceau, has been the most outspoken opponent of the project. She hired an engineer and attorney to review the project and submit official challenges and questions to the town board before the decision.
 
After the vote Wednesday, James declined to say if she would appeal the decision.
Planning board members approved the project after making decisions on a number of legal issues, many of which were raised by James.
 
The question about whether the property is in the village business historic district prevented the vote Monday. At the start of the meeting Wednesday night, board members supported an opinion by the town’s attorney about the issue.
 
They determined the property, and other similar lots along Main Street, do not fall within the historic district because the town’s zoning regulations don’t allow them to be included in that designation.
 
The decision kept the project from having to meet certain rules tied to maintaining the historic appearance and features of properties in downtown Farmington, which are part of the historic district.
                                                       
David Robinson – 861-9287
drobinson@centralmaine.com

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