HALLOWELL — It took more than four hours Thursday night, but the Planning Board finally unanimously voted to recommend changes to the city’s land use ordinance governing the Stevens School campus.

The board’s recommendations will be given to the City Council ahead of the July 11 meeting.

Matt Morrill, who purchased the 54-acre campus from the state in April for $215,000, and his attorney, Tom Federle, proposed the changes in order for Morrill to be able to market the property to developers and potential tenants.

“These changes should facilitate Matt’s ability to move forward with plans for redevelopment and for marketing the property to potential developers and marketers,” said Judy Feinstein, vice chair of the Planning Board. Feinstein led Thursday’s meeting because board chair Danielle Obery was out of town.

The board engaged in back-and-forth discussion with Morrill and Federle and several members of the public throughout the evening about the policy and practical implications of the proposed changes. When the clock finally struck 11 p.m., one proposed change was withdrawn, another’s proposed language was eliminated and its intent was incorporated into another part of the related ordinance, and other proposed language was clarified.

“Through almost five hours of public hearing a deliberation, it was abundantly clear that the Planning Board has the stamina and the smarts to advance the city’s interests and help revitalize the campus,” Federle said Sunday by email. “None of this will be easy, but I think everyone left the meeting pleased with the progress made and encouraged to keep moving forward together.”

Advertisement

The proposed change to Section 9-388 governing allowable uses on the property added “residential uses approved by the Planning Board as part of a single Open Space Development pursuant to Hallowell’s subdivision ordinance; re-use of existing structures for Business and Professional Offices and Residential Uses; and Private and public streets.”

Members of the board and the public were concerned that Morrill would begin work on a proposed subdivision without first submitting a master plan, but the board confirmed that these proposed changes do not mean that a master plan would not be required. Feinstein said they hope to move the plan review process along as expeditiously as possible, and Morrill and Federle said a master plan would be submitted soon.

“Policy change is picky work, but we took great care to do our best in developing recommended language that was and will be understood the same way by everyone, will be useful for the purposes for which it was intended and that will, we hope, minimize any unintended negative consequences,” Feinstein said by email.

Other recommended proposed changes were made to the minimum setback from the street right-of-way for any new building or structure and any existing building and to the dimensional requirements in an Open Space Development.

“We appreciate that Matt and Tom want to work collaboratively with the city toward what really is a common goal — getting that area back into good, productive use and making the most of the opportunities it offers,” Feinstein said.

The meeting was held in the City Hall Auditorium because of the anticipated large crowd, and since there were no microphones for speakers to use, the room’s noisy air conditioning units were turned off, making a sometimes heated discussion even hotter.

Advertisement

Feinstein said the board knew for weeks that Obery would be out of town, so there was time for them to prepare. Feinstein said she’s had many opportunities in her time on the board to watch others manage the meeting, so she was comfortable leading Thursday night.

“We have a good group on the board who are committed to Hallowell and to the work and the process we need to follow,” Feinstein said. “That helps a lot.”

Councilor Alan Stearns attended the meeting along with councilors Kate DuFour, Diano Circo and Phil Lindley and Mayor Mark Walker. Stearns has spent a lot of time with Morrill discussing the property and doesn’t expect any resistance to the final enactment by the council at the July meeting.

“I’m impressed that Matt has put on the table some high density housing retaining historic integrity and surrounded by open space and trails and access to the full potential of Howard Hill’s natural landscape,” Stearns said.

Morrill hosted a site walk with Federle June 27 to show people the vision for the property and to tour several of the buildings, some of which need a lot of work if not a total reconstruction.

Federle said the city and Planning Board have demonstrated a willingness to tackle the challenges that have hindered the Stevens School property.

Jason Pafundi — 621-5663

jpafundi@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.