Construction of two adjacent apartment buildings, each with 12 housing units, is being proposed for a parcel of land on Cross Street, near the intersection of Route 90 (West Street). Much of the site currently exists as a parking lot for the Anchor Church and is a section of a larger lot that abuts both West Street and Cross Street. The plan is to carve off 3.5 acres of the tarmac and build housing on it.

Lake City Holdings LLC, based in Rockland and represented by LLC Manager Ed Libby, holds an option agreement on the 3.5 acres. The entire 5 acre lot is currently owned by LFHT Holdings LLC, based in Rockport and represented by J. Griffin Lesher.

LFHT Holdings LLC purchased the property from the Anchor Church in September 2025. The church is reportedly relocating.

"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," said the application that was filed with the Town of Rockport. 

On Thursday, June 25, Lake City Holdings will present its plans to the Rockport Planning Board. Those plans include two three-story residential buildings that will are to accommodate 12 apartments each, for a total of 24 housing units. The buildings are to hook into the sewer and water main lines that run along West Street (Route 90) to the Camden Hills Regional High School.

"The proposed development will provide affordable housing opportunities within the Town and support the Comprehensive Plan goals of encouraging and promoting a balance of affordable and workforce housing opportunities for Rockport residents," according to the June 11 plan submitted the Rockport Planning Office. "The project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan policies that encourage land use regulations and development patterns that support quality affordable housing, including rental housing, within growth areas."

The development is intended to provide housing that meets current regulatory standards, said Gartley and Dorsky, engineers for the project, in a memo to the Planning Board.

At the June 25 meeting, the Planning Board will consider another proposal from Lake City Holdings LLC and Ed Libby. That one concerns further subdividing a Route parcel of land known as 6 Madelyn Lane. The property was originally developed as physicians' and medical offices in 2002. Libby purchased the buildings 2024 and converted one into affordable housing.

"The property, currently owned by 6 Madelyn LCH, LLC, and is occupied by a medical office building, access drive to Commercial Street, and associated parking lots," the application said. "This property is in the process of being divided, with the 'Parcel to be conveyed' consisting of ± 1.11 acres. This division is the second division within five years, which triggers subdivision review of the subject parcel. Lake City Holdings LLC is under contract to sell Lot A-1, to a medical office user, and will retain the vacant Lot A-2, including the parking area to be used as a large vehicle turnaround at the end of Madelyn Lane. Madelyn Lane is to remain a private way maintained by the property owners."

The new lot, known as Lot A-2, would be 3.55 acres in size. Half of it would be in a mixed business residential zone while the other half would be in the town's coastal residential zone.

The Planning Board discussed the proposal at its May 28 meeting. According to meeting minutes:

"The property development goes back approximately 25 years. The first building was a hearing a speech medical office and the second building was larger and housed medical offices. At that time, both buildings were on a single lot. Approximately 6-7 years ago, the Physician Offices moved to Pen Bay, vacating the buildings. The property was then purchased by a developer to convert the buildings into affordable housing. The previous developer had site plan approval for the project across both buildings but did not pursue.

"Mr. Libby and Mr. Lincoln inherited the property with those approvals. They divided the property and converted the larger building into 18 workforce housing apartments through a Maine housing program for rural rental. It is currently fully occupied.

"Currently the smaller building is under contract to be purchased. Because the building already has utilities and parking, the buyer is not interested in the excess land. Therefore, Mr. Libby would like to divide the lot and keep the excess land for development in the future. At this time, it is unknown what the development would be, but when decided a site plan will come before the Planning Board.

"Mr. Libby stated that all infrastructure typically subject to review, including roads, utilities, drainage, and parking, is already in place and has been previously reviewed and approved. He has had discussions with Director Thomas regarding the road and after categorizing it according to the ordinance, the road will be a private way and will not be maintained by the Town of Rockport. He has also had discussions with Fire Chief Peasley regarding the use of the existing parking area to be used as a potential large vehicle turnaround."

According to the application, in December 2024, the former owner, HFTF, LLC sold 7 Madelyn Lane to 7 Madelyn LCH LLC to develop the Workforce Housing project, and separately sold the subject property to 6 Madelyn LCH, LLC.

The full June 25 meeting agenda follows:

Agenda

1.Call meeting to order

2.Public comments on non-agenda items

3.Approve minutes

a. May 28, 2026

4.Site Plan Application Review for two multi-family residential buildings with 12-units in each, located at 3 Cross Street. This parcel is identified as Tax Map 027 Lot 023, which is under contract by Lake City Holdings, LLC. This application is being represented by Gartley & Dorsky.

5.Subdivision Final Application for the parcel located at 6 Madelyn Ln. This parcel is identified as Tax Map 10 Lot 75-001, which is owned by 6 Madelyn Ln LCH, LLC. This application is being represented by Ed Libby and Gartley & Dorsky.

6.Other Business

7.Adjourn