ROCKPORT  — When the Rockport Planning Board convenes Thursday evening, April 30, its agenda will include the preapplication discussion of a two-building affordable housing development that is to comprise 24 units (12 units per building). The project is proposed for 3.5 acres that is currently being used as a parking lot for the Anchor Church.

According to documents filed by engineers Gartley and Dorsky, of Rockport, the proposed site is currently owned by LFHT LLC, of West Rockport, but is in the process of being conveyed to Lake City Holdings LLC, of Rockland. Ed Libby is manager of Lake City Holdings, according to documents filed with the Rockport Town Office.

The documents said that Lake City Holdings LLC has secured an option agreement, granting the right, title, and interest to proceed with inspections, testing, surveying, and other due diligence activities, as well as to advance site planning and Planning Board review.

The church will retain part of the property where the church building is located but LFHT LLC intends to sell 3.5 acres for the housing development.

"This property is in the process of being divided, with the 'Parcel to be conveyed”'consisting of ± 3.5 acres. A portion of this area is presently used as additional parking for the church," documents said.

"Upon transfer, Lake City Holdings LLC intends to redevelop the ± 3.5 acres parcel for residential use," said the project documents. "The proposed project consists of two (2) multi-family buildings, each containing twelve (12) units, for a total of twenty-four (24) dwelling units. The development is intended to provide housing that meets current regulatory standards."

Lot Coverage Calculation (Estimated)

• Total Lot Area: ± 152,460 SF (± 3.5 acres)

• Building footprint: ± 9,571 SF

• Driveway/Parking lot: ± 16,582 SF

• Other Impervious Areas (walks, pads, retaining wall, rip-rap): ± 5,716 SF

Total Impervious Area: ± 31,869 SF

Estimated Lot Coverage

Total Impervious Area (± 31,869)÷ Total Lot Area (± 152,460) = ~ 21%

Proposed Lot Coverage = 21%

Max Allowable Lot coverage = 60%

The buildings are to be three-story tall. A parking waver has also been submitted: 

"The purpose of this waiver request is to ask the Planning Board for the Town of Rockport to grant a reduction in the required number of parking spaces for the proposed multi-family development located at 3 Cross Street," the documents said. "The current Town of Rockport Site Plan Review Ordinance requires that multifamily dwellings provide two (2) parking spaces per dwelling unit. For the proposed development, which includes a total of 24 units, this results in a requirement of 48 parking spaces. The Applicant is requesting a reduction to 36 parking spaces, or 1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit, based on the fact that this project is proposed as an affordable housing development. This request is further supported by recent State of Maine legislation, including LD 2003 and LD 1829, which are intended to reduce parking- related barriers to new affordable housing development providing exceptions to the zoning requirements by municipalities. It states that a municipality “may not require more than 2 off-street parking spaces for every 3 units” for an affordable housing development."

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657