Scarborough Current

February 23, 2006

 

Vacant Pine Point lot to be subdivided

SCARBOROUGH (Feb 23): A York developer has optioned a vacant eight-acre lot at the intersection of Pine Point Road and East Grand Avenue and is proposing to build a nine lot single-family subdivision.

Coastal Property Development Inc. presented the plans to town representatives and members of a Pine Point group working on plans for the Lighthouse Inn conversion at a meeting earlier this month. Paul Hollis, the president of Coastal Property, was not available for comment this week.

The proposal calls for four ocean front lots ranging from 1.38 acres to 1.57 acres. The remaining five lots would be on the upper portion of the lot, with sizes ranging from .27 acres to .30 acres.

Town Manager Ron Owens said the proposal is consistent with what is now in Pine Point, and people at the meeting did not speak out against the proposal at that time.

He said the plan would meet the zoning requirements for the area. It also would have to meet local and state shoreland zoning along with other environmental laws.

The property was listed with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage for $3.5 million. Pine Point Ocean Trust owns the land and the town sends tax bills to Saco resident Plato Truman.

Coastal Property Development does not build homes. Instead the company takes plans through the subdivision process, installs the infrastructure, and then sells the lots.

The company has completed eight smaller, coastal subdivisions in the state, including the 10-lot Cole Farm Estates in Scarborough. Other projects include Nubble Point in York and Rover Crossing in Cape Neddick.

Members of the Pine Point group asked that the developer work with area residents prior to submitting the plans to the town, said John Thurlow, a member of the group.

Thurlow said it is too early for its members to form a position on the project, but the group has submitted a number of questions to the developer about the project.

Some of the questions include building design and if some of the home designs will be made available to the public. There also were some questions regarding landscaping, environmental impact and public access to the shore.

Meanwhile, work continues on conversion of the Lighthouse Inn to condominium units. The project, which was submitted last year, ran into significant public opposition. Now the Pine Point residents' group is working with owners Nick and Peter Truman and town officials on the plan.

The plan includes a proposed land swap between the town and Truman's. The Truman's own property on the other side of Pine Point Road, which would be exchanged for a portion of the road in front of their building.

This would allow Pine Point Road to move 18 feet away from the inn and provide enough room for parking in front of the building. It also would allow the removal of the barricades that are erected each summer to stop traffic from going down the road and give residents better beach access.

Residents have been cautious about the proposal and Thurlow said that he wants to make sure that the town gets a fair deal if a swap happens.

Owens said both projects provide the opportunity for that area of Pine Point to be improved and provide residents and visitors an attractive focal area for Pine Point.

With plans moving forward on the vacant lot across from the hotel, Thurlow is optimistic that an agreement can be reached.

“The key is that there is town property in between and it’s possible for all parties to work toward finding a solution everyone would be satisfied with,” Thurlow said.

Return to PinePointBeach.com

 

http://www.keepmecurrent.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=15394