NORWAY — The Planning Board was told Thursday night that the Maine Department of Transportation will require information on the amount and movement of traffic near the proposed $8.2 million medical office building on Pikes Hill Road.
The data, which will be required from the applicant, will be sent to MDOT officials who will meet with town officials to review it.
The information will not hold up action on Western Maine Health’s application for a 25,000-square foot office building at the site of the former by C.B. Cummings & Sons wood mill. The 8-acre lot was purchased by Western Maine Health seven years ago.
The board has 30 days to act. If it approves the application, ground could be broken in April, according to Western Maine Health officials.
At Thursday night’s hearing attended by about a dozen people, police Chief Robert Federico said he was concerned about the impact of more traffic, but noted the three-way intersection only had one accident last year.
Two weeks ago, the board unanimously approved the preliminary site plan application as complete, but requested additional information, including how the increase in traffic will impact the downtown.
At that meeting, John Maloney, senior planner with the Androscoggin Valley of Council of Governments, said the board should request traffic information.
The recommendation came after several board members expressed concern about the traffic impact, including Mary Lou St. John, who called the intersection at Main Street, Pikes Hill Road and Whitman Street “very dangerous.”
Downtown Norway President Andrea Burns, who along with other members of the organization sat on a task force with hospital personnel, said she is pleased with the plans for redevelopment of the site, including the architecture of the medical building.
“It will add to the vibrancy of Main Street,” she said.
The Planning Board will meet Thursday, April 9, to make a decision on the site plan application.
Western Maine Health has 12 affiliated medical entities, including Stephens Memorial Hospital on Lower Main Street.
ldixon@sunjournal.com
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