NEW GLOUCESTER — The Planning Board is scheduled to continue deliberations May 10 on a proposal to develop a seasonal retreat center on Tobey Road.

At last week’s two-hour-plus public hearing, the board heard from 16 residents, most of whom supported the planned Machiah Center at 288 Tobey Road.

Jonathan Lee is seeking to establish the center as a tax-exempt, nonprofit program of the JSL Foundation. Its purpose would be to provide a place of rest, reflection and fellowship to groups of roughly 10 activists and scholars at a time who are trying to make the world a better place.

Lee plans to live in the 1760 Georgian-style home set on 62 acres. The center would be developed in two phases for sleeping quarters, gardens and a barn.

“From an aesthetic, cultural and taxpayer point of view, it’s wonderful,” resident Penny Hilton said. “This is a light use with few people in and out. It will be good for New Gloucester and sounds to me a great use opportunity.”

Mary Ellen Corrigan said she was impressed by the plan. “This is developed in such a thoughtful way, it’s protecting the tax base,” she said.

Another resident, Barbara Bartlett, said she thought the setting is not where it should be with noise from a nearby model airplane field and the smell of chicken and cow manure.

Lee said the people who are coming live in noisy cities. “We will give them clothespins for their nose,” he said.

“What about the Pineland property?” Glenn Turner asked. “We’re downwind when they fertilize their fields.”

Abutter Don Libby said he thinks Code Enforcement Officer Debra Parks Larrivee failed to make the right decision when she deemed the use was similar to other permitted uses, and therefore the board can proceed with review of the project.

“What if it changes ownership? This sets a bad precedent. This doesn’t match exactly what’s allowed,” Libby said.

Neighbor Debbie May said she supports the project but allowing it means the town would not be fulfilling the purpose of the zoning ordinance.

“A garden and a couple of chickens don’t define a farm,” she said, adding that she contacted a lawyer on the issue.

“I’m fearful because Mr. Lee is highly reputable and coming with good intent. We could have a similar request in Farm and Forest District for sex offenders, drug rehab and motorcycle gangs. I’m challenging you to explain to me where this use is,” May said.

Larrivee said the town attorney agrees that the proposal is a use similar to other permitted uses under site plan review by the Planning Board.

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Steve Libby, whose brother is an abutter to the property, said he was against approving the project because it’s not a permitted use.

“I take offense with you standing up there and telling us what we have to do,” Planning Board member Tami Wayboer responded. “I came from a strong farming heritage. This man is coming to preserve the property, not coming in with a 30-unit subdivision plan.”

Selectman Josh McHenry, a former Planning Board member, disagreed with Libby’s opinion and urged the Planning Board to proceed.

The board will continue deliberations on the project at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10.