Developer seeks approval to change Rockport housing project from 20 condos to seven house lots
ROCKPORT — Herb LLC, an enterprise based in Boothbay Harbor, is asking the Rockport Planning Board for permission to alter a housing project that originally called for a 20-unit condominium development. Instead, LLC principal Skip Edgerley hopes to turn the 10.8 acre lot into seven separate single-family house lots.
Originally, a developer using the name Ridge at Rockport LLC, obtained subdivision and site plan approval from the planning board in 2013 for the 20-unit condo project on a parcel named “The Ridge at Rockport.”
The parcel is on Commercial Street (Route 1), across the street from the Roxmount subdivision.
That proposal remained on paper until 2019, when Herb LLC, amended the plan and reduced the number of condos to 18, according to documents filed with the planning board. (Click here complete application file).
The project was also renamed to“Ridge Creek”.
Now, Herb LLC wants to amend the plans again to forego the condos and incorporate a seven-lot single-family subdivision.
“The developer intends to sell the lots individually; they do not intend to build the residences,” according to the letter of intent filed with the planning board. “Herb, LLC has acquired the development rights to a condominium sold by the previous developer. There are no deed restrictions or covenants for the subdivision. Herb, LLC will create subdivision covenants as needed.”
The parcel already has been partially developed with roadwork started, one condominium built, vegetation cleared, and wetlands impacted.
“The originally proposed condominium development planned to create 61,074 SF of impervious area which required a Stormwater Management Permit for the creation of more than one acre of impervious area,” the plan said. “The currently proposed 7-Lot Residential Subdivision will create less than 16,000 SF of impervious area, which does not require any additional permits from Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Regardless, the proposed development has been designed to safely and effectively convey stormwater runoff around the proposed improvements and redirect runoff back into natural channels. Proposed stormwater conveyance pipe inlets and outlets will be stabilized with both excelsior blanket and riprap protection. The riprap outlet protection apron will diffuse stormwater discharge velocities to ensure the downgradient channel is not damaged. A majority of the site drains onto Vermah Creek. Vegetation will be preserved along the creek to the greatest practicable extent to prevent the transport of sediments into the stream.”
Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657
