Bangor Planning Board reviews 62-unit affordable housing proposal on Grandview Avenue

The Bangor Planning Board reviewed a major land development application for a 62-unit affordable housing project on a 10-acre city-owned parcel at Grandview Avenue. The proposal, developed by Developers Collaborative, includes 14 single-family homes and two 24-unit multifamily buildings, with the board finding the application complete and ready for review. Public comment raised concerns about traffic, flooding, and aesthetics, while the applicant explained design constraints related to wetlands and utility easements.

Key points

• The board voted unanimously to accept the completeness of the application for the 62-unit development, which includes 14 single-family homes and 48 multifamily units.
• City staff explained the project originated from a 2023 initiative to utilize city-owned land for affordable housing, targeting households earning 80 to 120 percent of the median income.
• The applicant noted the unit count was reduced from an initial 94 units to 62 due to wetland constraints, utility easements, and the requirements of the Maine State Housing Affordable Housing Ownership Program.
• Public commenters expressed concerns about increased traffic on Grandview Avenue, potential flooding impacts on neighboring properties, and the aesthetic impact of the multifamily buildings.
• The applicant addressed technical questions regarding stormwater management, ADA accessibility in the three-story buildings, and the enforcement of deed restrictions to protect buffer zones.

Next steps

• The applicant plans to submit a wetland permit application to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers.
• The final subdivision plan must address comments from the water district and minimize conflicts between plantings and utilities.
• Deed restrictions will be created for specific lots to minimize disturbance within the 75-foot setback from wetlands of special significance.

Read the full transcript