FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington’s application to build a new environmentally-friendly education center got the green light Monday night.

The 7-0 “yes” vote for the $8 million, 43,000-square-foot green College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation ended four months of round-and-round discussion that included three stops at Farmington’s Planning Board, one stop at the appeals board and a tour of the proposed site at the corner of Lincoln and High streets.

On Monday evening, the board revisited the issue for what appears to be the final time, holding a public hearing prior to making a decision.

More than $1 million has already been raised for the project during the capital campaign of which U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is the honorary chair. That will supplement the $4.8 million that came thanks to the passing of a state bond issue in November on the way to the $8 million goal.

Discussion at the hearing centered first on safety and second, around the college’s plan to increase satellite parking.

While UMF will maintain its 2,000 student enrollment cap, the education center plans to pull in practicing teachers, schoolchildren and their families, increasing vehicle and pedestrian traffic and putting a crunch on parking, said lawyer and Lincoln Street resident Edward David, who appealed the application early this year.

David has since withdrawn his application.

Roger Spear, vice president of administration, said UMF is committed to putting in a sidewalk that will be at least 5 feet wide on the north side of Lincoln Street.

Engineers also said they will increase the turning radius onto Lincoln Street and if the town agrees, UMF would be in favor of speed tables being put in on the street.

The result would make the area safer, college officials said.

As to the parking issue, UMF plans to add 170 spaces behind the fitness center and 100 spaces on Prescott Field. The lots would be used for long-term parking and free up space for commuters in the center of the campus alleviating parking congestion.

Abutters to the proposed 170-space lot expressed concern over light pollution from the lot but Bob Lawrence, head of facilities management, explained that the lights would be a maximum of 25 feet tall and would only shine on the lot.

Mary Wright, chairwoman of the Farmington’s Board of Selectmen, said she was worried about students’ safety as they walked back from satellite lots. Spear pointed out that UMF is a “leader” in safety, providing emergency call boxes, escort and shuttle services and ample lighting to protect students.

Before the vote, Planning Board Chairman Herbert York commended the college on a “huge balancing act” by maintaining the first class college in the center of town without treading on townspeople’s feet.

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