After 30 months of intense review, at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, the contract zone for a 391-housing unit development to be built by KV Enterprises off Robie Street was approved 4 to 2, with Councilors Wilder Cross and Phillips opposed. Prior to the vote, councilors had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions of Tom Poirier, Gorham’s director of community development, KV Enterprise’s representative Vincent Maietta, and Sebago Technics’ representative for the developer, Owen McCullough.

One of the first questions asked was whether a traffic study had been done. It was explained that while a traffic analysis was done, it is not a traffic study. The traffic study will be done as a part of Planning Board approval even though the Town Council has approved the contract zone.

Another question was asked about access for the public to the land trust parcel. Since that parcel is already public land, that will not change, and the other trails are all public infrastructure and will also remain so. According to the developers, traffic and pedestrian connections have been considered, along with discussions of public sidewalks and access to local bus stops.

The multi-year contract zone agreement will allow the developer to build 15 single-family homes and 1 multi-unit building per year, for a total of 96 single-family homes, and 295 apartments. Most units are expected to be one- or two-bedroom apartments, with each apartment building containing one or two apartments with three bedrooms. These buildings may also include some commercial spaces on the lower floors.

The agreement also provides for a $1000 impact fee per unit for each single-family home and $500 per unit in the multi-unit buildings to be paid to the town to support any increase in school capacity.

The full discussion can be viewed online at https://play.champds.com/gorhamme/event/72.