Approximately 30 people attended the Planning Board meeting on December 12 to respond to a potential rezone of an area from the Gorham bypass to the roundabout on Rt. 114. This area would be rezoned for higher density and become a mixed-use district. Only multi-family units for three or more families or mixed-use and commercial properties would be permitted. The entire area runs from Brackett Street off South Street, goes down to the Stroudwater River, and includes part of Straw Road, which currently has CMP power lines.

Board Chairman, Jim Anderson, noted that to also include public water and sewer in the area, the residential density would need to increase to pay for those utilities. The former Gorham Country Club (200 acres) was seen as a potential site for 55 and older residential units.

The Turnpike spur which has been under consideration for many years is now in the permitting phase.

Numerous residents of the McLellan and Washburn Roads spoke out vehemently against the proposed spur for reasons including that currently this is not a high-density area but would become a high-density area in the future with no single-family dwellings. The Planning Board Chairman and Tom Poirier, Director of Community Development, noted that to preserve open spaces, high-density housing is needed, adding that South Gorham will also need public water and sewer.