NEWRY – A new 69-lot gated community to be developed at Sunday River by former resort owner Les Otten has been approved by Maine environmental regulators, according to a release issued by the resort’s real estate department Monday.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has given “The Colony,” which is being billed as an exclusive new community on Sunday River Road with a right-of-way for direct access to the resort’s South Ridge base area, the go-ahead, the release stated.

Lots will range in size from 1-acre to 7-acres and lot prices start at $159,000. Building packages are also available.

According to the release, the planned lots offer views of Sunday River’s eastern peaks from White Cap to Spruce Peak. Otten’s Colony Development Co. LLC is handling the project with sales listed exclusively by Sunday River Real Estate.

Fourteen of the 69 planned lots are available now. A gated easement road is to provide access to South Ridge via Mills Hill Road, the release stated.

“These lots provide easy building conditions and come with VIP parking and locker room opportunities at South Ridge Lodge,” said Colony Development President Harry “Dutch” Dresser in a prepared statement.

The project was previously approved by the Newry Planning Board.

Earlier this month Sunday River’s parent company, the American Skiing Co., announced Otten’s resignation from that company’s board of directors. Otten founded the company in the late 1990s as SKI Ltd.

Earlier this month ASC directors said they’ve authorized the company to strategically review its options for Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley. including the potential sale of the ski hills.

Since December, ASC has announced sales of five of its eight resorts: Steamboat in Steamboat, Colo., Attitash in New Hampshire, and Killington, Mount Snow and Pico in Vermont.