May 27, 2009

By Carol McCracken

Residents of Waterville Street on the Hill are angry that a developer is trying to get city approval to build a three unit condominium on an empty one-tenth of an acre lot for which he paid $300,000.  The matter goes to the Planning  Board for its recommendation on June 9th.

Although the three story building is within city height restrictions, because it is taller than buildings immediately around it, the new building stands to block out sunshine as well as a vista of the Portland Waterfront from some of its neighbors.  Over the weekend neighbors complained that the exterior looks like “corrugated metal” – a “penal institute” as one neighbor put it.  The neighbor said the proposed condominium doesn’t look anything like what’s around it.

Another neighbor, Mary Casale, who lives next door to the proposed condominium at 29 Waterville Street, wrote a letter to the members of the planning board and its chair, David Silk on May 18.  Ms. Casale, who is a life-long resident of the Hill, said that the developer, “Waterville Triad, LLC” does not have “clear title to all of the land it wishes to develop at 29 Waterville Street.” The letter continues:  “As you will see, the survey shows my walls on their property and this is specifically referenced in Notes 4 and 6…..Please note that the Recording Plat prepared for Waterville Triad, LLC…..conveniently does not show Notes 4 and 6.  I think of this as an attempt by Waterville Triad, LLC to avoid discussing with the Planning Board the fact that it does not own all the property it proposes to develop.”

Finally, Ms. Casale requests that the planning board deny the developers’ application based on this latest information.  However, the planning board has no authority over boundary issues such as this.

In a telephone conversation, this morning developer Peter Bass said he and Ms. Casale are currently undergoing negotiations to resolve the matter.   He said that unfortunately “Ms. Casale waited until the last minute to bring this issue up.”  Bass additionally said he hoped the matter would not be resolved in court.

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Developer Ron Gan

By Carol McCracken

Ron Gan, representing 202 Washington Avenue, requested a meeting with the planners to solicit their comments prior to his investing in the design and engineering for the project.  He described the building as a 4 -unit development which would require the destruction of a single-family home and garage on the site.  All four units will be facing the water view and have polished concrete floors, in-floor radiant heat and conform to LEED for home guidelines.  Gan described it as a “New York-Chicago loft style” develoment.  The development itself starts 25 ft. back from Washington Avenue which provides a “staging area.”  The starting price will be $595.000.

In his presentation, Gan said that over 70% of the land is vacant.  The site is better for residential use than commercial use; there’s more of a residential feel.  It’s close to the Trail system, highways and the public bus system.”  The area, according to Gan, has no established architectural style with which it must conform.  Gan said he will be marketing the development toward “empty nesters.”  However, before he can proceed with the building, he needs to pre-sell two  of the four units because of the economic situation and the difficulty in retaining bank loans in this economy.

Still outstanding, as well, is the  resolution of a boundary dispute with a neighbor over which a lawsuit to quiet title has been filed by the title company.  Gan was the developer for the 7-unit Federal Street Townhouses on Federal Street which were completed early last year.  The average price for those units was $700,000.

With the exception of the lack of large side windows, planning board members generally liked what they saw.  Lee Lowry, III said:  “It’s a very nice and exciting project.”  Bill Hall said, “It might not appeal to everyone, but I think it would be an enhancement to the property and in terms of the future building there.”  Chair David Silk said:  “It’s a good start.  The scale and massing is apropriate to the neighborhood.”

Following the workshop, Gan said he was pleased with the feedback he received from the planning board.

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