Proposed Old Ferry Road Property Development
The Proposed Old Ferry Road Property Development is located on 300 acres of former Maine Atomic Yankee Company land along the Back River between Old Ferry Road, Birch Point Road, and Westport Island Bridge Road.
The Selectboard is considering developing this property. However, Selectboard believes it must first conduct a regulatory analysis to understand the property site conditions. Then, based on public engagement, it must develop a Conceptual Master Plan for the site.
Proposed Project Goals
The proposed project proposes to create a new neighborhood to improve the quality of life by providing high-quality, attainable housing for many individuals. This will allow individuals to spend less time on their commutes, less money on their housing costs, and be closer to recreational and entertainment pursuits. This project will consider the following goals.
- Develop a community that provides housing for young people, families, and seniors;
- Develop a community that serves a variety of income types, including affordable, workforce, and market rate;
- Develop various housing types, including multi-family, attached, single-family, and accessory dwelling units;
- Develop a community that strives to be sustainable by using clean energy and green infrastructure principles in the design;
- Develop a walkable area connected to neighboring recreational and open space assets, including the Chewonki Cushman Preserve and the Town’s Old Ferry Road Boat Landing;
- Develop several parcels for future development for clean energy and technology businesses.
Proposed Project Rationale
A significant component of economic development is attainable housing. Local businesses and employers, like the town and school, have had difficulty recruiting employees due to the lack of affordable housing in the area, which has contributed to the labor shortage. Employees travel more to work, live in substandard housing, and pay more than they can afford for housing. Abundant data is demonstrating the need for more affordable housing in Lincoln County. According to the county’s projections, the Town has the potential for 17 single-family homes, 22 attached single-family homes, 61 multi-family housing units, and 10 accessory dwellings. Lincoln County Housing Needs Assessment, May 2023. (I have copies available at the town office and posted on the town website)
Completed Project Milestones
LCRPC Request for Letter of Interest for Town Planning Projects
The LCRPC letter dated July 19, 2024, states that Lincoln County is interested in reallocating ARPA dollars to provide financial assistance to Lincoln County towns that need planning dollars to advance the development of affordable first responder and/ or municipal workforce housing on town-owned parcels. (See letter)
Town’s Submission for Letter of Interest for Town Planning Projects
On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Selectboard authorized the town to submit a letter of interest for town planning projects to the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission for hiring a land-use consultant/ engineering firm to conduct a regulatory analysis and master planning for the Old Ferry Road development. (see letter)
LCRPC Expression of Interest for the Town’s Proposal
The LCRC Review Committee letter dated September 20, 2024, expressing interest in funding the Town of Wiscasset Planning Project with Lincoln County Affordable Housing ARPA Funds to hire a land-use consultant/ engineering firm for planning services for the Old Ferry Road Development. (See letter)
Town’s Letter of Support for Accepting Lincoln County Affordable Housing ARPA Funds
On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the Selectboard voted to submit a letter of support to accept Lincoln County Affordable Housing ARPA Funds to hire a land-use consultant/ engineering firm for planning services for the Old Ferry Road Development. (see letter)
Compliance Requirements for Lincoln County Affordable Housing ARPA Funds for Planning Projects – Funding Award for the Town of Wiscasset
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Select Board voted to authorize the Town Manager to execute, on behalf of the Town of Wiscasset, the Funding Award letter for Lincoln County Affordable Housing ARPA Funds for Town Planning Projects. (see funding award)
Timber Harvesting
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Select Board voted to authorize the Town Manager to execute, on behalf of the Town of Wiscasset, the timber harvesting contract with Guy M. Poweroy Logging, Inc. This timber harvest would follow forestry management best practices to generate moderate revenues and allow for good forestry management. (see agreement)
Brownfield Site Assessment
LCRPC submitted another Brownfield Site Assessment grant application this fall. They have agreed to support our project if grant funds are awarded next year. If awarded, a Phase I Site Assessment would begin during the summer of 2025.
Legal Review
The Town Attorney has completed an exhaustive title search, inspected the town's property foreclosure files, and rendered a legal opinion.
Planning Project Next Steps
Consultant Selection Process - January-March 2025 (1-3 months)
Send out RFP/Q for Planning Services: The town will send a Request for Qualifications for a land-use consultant/ engineering firm to conduct a regulatory analysis and master plan.
Regulatory Analysis - April-August 2025 (4-5 months)
Engage a reputable land use planning and/or engineering firm to perform a comprehensive regulatory analysis, including an updated site survey to understand better existing site conditions, environmental considerations, covenants/restrictions impacting development, regulatory requirements, zoning/allowed uses for the site, sewer/water availability, traffic impacts.
- Existing conditions site survey (conducted when there is no snow cover);
- Environmental survey (desktop analysis);
- Sewer/water availability survey (drilling program);
- Traffic impact analysis (conducted during the summer – peak traffic time);
- Marketing Analysis;
Master Planning and Public Engagement - September 2025–March 2026 (6-8 months)
Following the regulatory analysis, utilize the land use planning and/or engineering firm to perform some master planning work to develop concept site plans and conduct financial proforma analysis likely for phased development of the site. This should include a robust stakeholder and public engagement process so the project can hopefully get buy-in from the community and allow residents to understand the development potential and constraints identified through the regulatory analysis. Conduct preliminary market analysis on proposed land uses and conceptual site plans.
- Public outreach/ engagement
- Kick-off meeting early in the process to explain the project and educate residents about affordable housing;
- (3-4 meetings);
- Conceptual Master plan for development;
- Phased development analysis;
The Master Planning and Public Engagement Phase may overlap with the Regulatory Analysis.
Proposed Project Cost
The Town's contribution to this project will be staff time, site development, and infrastructure construction, such as sewer, water, roads, and parks. Grants and tax-exempt municipal bonds will be one method of paying for infrastructure costs. Bonds will be paid back by creating a tax increment district (TIF). This project will be built in phases. For example, one developer might build single-family homes in one phase, another might build multi-family homes in another, and another might create a senior living community in another.
Any major decisions regarding this property, such as rezoning, tax increment financing, bonds, specific grants, and land sales, must be made at the Annual Town Meeting.