JAY – Work has been halted on the development of a town-owned business park behind Jay Plaza.

Town leaders had hoped to work around wetlands in the 34 acres to develop six lots ranging from 2 acres to 9 acres but it couldn’t be done without a town-granted easement to meet the road ordinance.

Nearly $8,000 of the $25,000 approved by voters in 2006 for engineering and design work has been spent, Town Manager Ruth Marden said Monday.

Between the Maine Department of Environmental Protection permit for wetlands and the town required road-width, Marden said, the lots would not be big enough, so instead of spending more money, they stopped the project.

The land is located in a state-sanctioned Pine Tree Zone, which establishes incentives for eligible business areas including manufacturing and services to attract economic development.

Selectmen’s Chairman Bill Harlow said he was not in favor of getting an easement for the town when everyone else has to meet the requirements of the road ordinance.

Marden said the land may have to be taken out of the Pine Tree Zone.

Main-Land Development Inc. of Livermore Falls was awarded the contract last year to do engineering and design work for the project.