ROCKLAND — A proposed project for an apartment house at 20 Elm Street, in Rockland, which drew numerous complaints from potential abutters last year, will return before the Planning Board Tuesday, April 7.

Developer Sally Levi’s proposal, coined by her as “the Greenhouse Project,” would revamp an existing structure into a 12-unit apartment house.

The Planning Board approved the site plan during its Jan. 21, 2025.

For some of the abutters who either attended the public hearing on the proposal, or submitted written comment, the biggest complaint was the speed at which this proposal was being approved. Many neighbors stated they’d had no time to prepare their opposition to the project. Some questioned the financial aspects. Stormwater concerns were mentioned, and prior to the meeting, one abutter hired a lawyer.

According to meeting notes, Jim Kinnealey, of Caldbeck Gallery, said that the increased traffic on Elm Street will add stress to an already stressed situation. He will lose views from his third story because of the scale of this building which he believes, is way out of scale with the neighborhood. He believes the application is being rushed by the City giving him very little time to prepare to defend his position. He is worried about drainage and does not think storm water has been adequately addressed. His business includes a sculpture garden where customers sit to look at art and he believes this building will be detrimental to his business. The new building would create a dark alleyway which he believes, if left unlighted, will create an unsafe situation for pedestrians.

Among other concerns, Kinnealy’s attorney, Kristin Collins, argued that the proposed lighting for the newly shadowed areas would not be satisfactory and would be detrimental to public safety.

Within the approximate 2-hour discussion, there was lengthy discussion about the Applicant’s need to have an approved Site Plan that evening to submit and meet MSHA’s deadline. The design before them was for a pitched roof, and if approved this evening that plan would be the one that MSHA reviewed for funding. However, if a Condition of Approval was added, MSHA may need to agree that the condition requiring a design change did not affect the application timeframe and process.

Levi told attendees of the meeting that a financial consultant had been brought into the project to deal with the Application process with Maine State Housing (MSHA); this brings someone very familiar with that process into the picture, she said. The application for financing and for the grant to complete the funding package is handled by MSHA. However, attorney Collins believed all this financial paperwork, as well as a fallback position guaranteeing funding, should have been provided with the Application.

See previous articles:  Twelve-unit apartment building proposed for Downtown Rockland 

and related articles:

Design altered for proposed Oak Street four-story mixed occupancy; rooftop ice cream bar added

Proposed ice cream shack looks to serve a walking clientele

Artist proposes teardown/rebuild in favor of Live+Work affordable housing

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com

CITY OF ROCKLAND PLANNING BOARD AGENDA

Tuesday April 7, 2026 at 5:15 p.m.

Rockland City Hall Council Chambers

1. Call to Order and Roll Call:

2. Communications:

3. New Business: 1. Review an application and site plan (PB26-13) submitted by Brad Carter For a change of use located at 143 Rankin St – this is for one non Conforming use to another(cleaning business to cleaning business). Tax Map # 68-A-17. -Public Hearing-

4. Old Business:

1. Continue the review of an application and site plan (PB26-9) submitted by Trillium Engineering Group on behalf of MaineHealth for a change of use to transitional housing and a 2,634 square foot addition to the existing building located at 407 Pleasant St, Tax Map # 65-B-1. This home is intended to provide transitional space for adults transitioning back into the general population by providing ordinary residential environments and ordinary day to day life settings.

2. Continue the review of an approved site plan(PB 26-11) for modifications located at 18 Elm St for “Project Greenhouse”. Tax Map # 1-G-4-1 5.

Other:

1. Memo and Ordinance discussion (every agenda)

#10 Chapter 19, Sec. 19-206 Business Park Zone – Allowed Uses An amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to allow health & medical, social and trades services in the Business Park Zone .- PUBLIC HEARING-

6. Public Comment:

7. Previous Meetings Minutes: March 3, 2026 and March 17, 2026

8. Adjournment: