OTISFIELD – Increased development has kept the planning board busy this fall as the town deals with three subdivisions bringing 33 new lots to town.

Otisfield has become a preferred bedroom community to nearby cities because of its proximity to lakes and ponds, said Rick Micklon, planning board director. People who work in Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area are looking to move inland and commute to work.

Part of the reason for Mainers rushing inland, Micklon said, is because of skyrocketing oceanfront property costs.

“Out-of-staters can afford it, but many Mainers can’t,” he added.

At the Oct. 4 selectmen’s meeting, Micklon said, here “they can get two huge acres of their own.”

He later added, “I’ve never seen so much building going on.”

Micklon said he is confident that the town’s resources, such as the school and the fire department, can handle the growth.

He said he does worry about how the development will tax the town’s code enforcement officer, who only works part-time.

Selectmen’s Chairman Mark Cyr said the officer works 20 to 25 hours a week, and might work more hours in the future.

Cyr said selectmen support the planning board in handling the subdivisions, however, it’s only a matter of time until the town sees some effects of the growth.

“Nothing really happens until the lots get sold,” Cyr said.

All three subdivisions have had their preliminary plans approved by the planning board and selectmen, and town officials have conducted public site walks. The next step is to approve the land for the necessary permits, Micklon said. The planning board has been dealing with the developments for 18 months.

The three developments include:

• Pleasant Lake Overlook off Powhaten Road where it intersects with state Route 121 consists of 14 lots ranging from four to seven acres. The developer is Development Services Inc. of North Yarmouth.

• Poplar Ridge Estates on Poplar Ridge Road consists of 14 lots between two and seven acres. Maine Land and Development of Livermore Falls is handling the project.

• Ahonen Subdivision on West Andrews Hill Road and Ahonen Road is a five-lot subdivision of 2.5- to 3-acre plots. David Howes Constructions Inc., of Windham, N.H., is handling that project.