LEWISTON — The City Council voted down a controversial rezoning of a 10-acre Farwell Street property Tuesday, deciding instead to pursue a contract zone with the developer.
After initially voting to approve rezoning the parcel at 128 Farwell St. from residential to commercial last month, the council voted down a final reading Tuesday after hearing an outpouring of concerns from neighbors.
City officials instead referred the issue back to the Planning Board to initiate a contract zone with property owner Dave Gendron, a move that would allow more guidelines to be put on any potential development.
Councilor Rick LaChapelle said Gendron had met with city staff last week, informing them that he was interested in developing housing for people age 55 and older at the site. He said a contract zone could help “eliminate a lot of the other options” some residents were concerned about, including commercial uses like gas stations or larger multifamily housing.
Some neighbors speaking Tuesday also said they have concerns over traffic. Many live on Charles Street and said the nearby outlets to East Avenue and Sabattus Street already cause problems.
Prior to the council’s initial vote last month, the Planning Board had unanimously recommended against rezoning 128 Farwell St.
Several councilors said they’re hoping the decision to pursue a contract zone will allow some kind of balance between resident concerns and the need for more housing.
This Google image shows the vacant land at 128 Farwell St. in Lewiston. Google Maps screenshot
LaChapelle argued that “locking in” a 55-plus housing development in a contract zone would alleviate concerns for dozens of new homes. One resident told the council, “Bring on the elderly housing, we don’t need nor do we want low-income multifamily housing on Farwell Street.”
Another questioned why the council had “changed its tune” since its last meeting.
Councilor Bob McCarthy said he first tried to table the item, but hoped changes could be made prior to a final reading.
After voting the rezoning down, the council voted 4-3 to send the item back to the Planning Board to consider a contract zone. Councilors were split on whether the move was necessary.
Councilor Scott Harriman said it was “odd” that the council was initiating the process, given the entire council hadn’t had a discussion with Gendron.
LaChapelle said he and city staff had a “lengthy conversation” with Gendron last week, stating that a contract zone would likely add costs to the development, but that it is best option for the city. He went on to say that Lewiston needs new development activity.
“Lewiston has a reputation of being a difficult place to develop,” he said. “No one wants anything in their backyard, I understand, but we have to be able to work with developers. If the city wants to be stagnant, let’s continue and beat the snot out of a developer.”
Councilors Harriman, Linda Scott and Stephanie Gelinas voted against the motion.
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