A plan to build across from the former Bear Pond Park is nearing final approval.

TURNER – The development of 84 condominium units across from the former Bear Pond Park in North Turner will be the subject of a public hearing Wednesday night.

The project plan for the 114-acre parcel has been before the Planning Board for more than a year and is nearing final approval, according to officials. The original plans contained both condominium units and single-family homes, but it has been changed to all condo units to be developed by owner Kurt Youland over a 10-year period. It is expected that one to 14 units will be completed and ready for occupancy by the spring of 2005, if final Planning Board approvals are granted. There are 42 separate lots, with a duplex proposed for each lot.

All of the proposed units would be individually owned, with roads, grounds and utilities owned in common. The project is proposed with one access from Route 219 and an additional gated access for emergency use only. The roads inside the development would remain private and be maintained by owners.

Residents will not have a common access to and right to use Bear Pond except for the Turner Public Beach. Youland, along with Turner resident Mike Gotto, owns the remaining beachfront property that made up the former Bear Pond Park but that property is not, at this time, part of the project. The beachfront is located across Route 219 from the development.

Youland has worked with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on the project because the land contains wetlands and a beaver pond, and portions of it are in shoreland zoning. Under these permits, no buildings are to be sited in shoreland zoning on the southerly side of the existing beaver pond; all forested areas within shoreland zoning will remain; all fields will be maintained for varied wildlife habitat; and no wetlands will be altered.

An existing snowmobile trail across the property will be moved outside of the development.

The meeting is scheduled for public comment and concerns at 7 p.m. at the Town Office.