At Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting in Raymond, selectmen informed Developer Peter Busque they are willing to work with him on plans for a senior housing project.
The plans have been underway since December 2004 when Busque bought a large parcel of land, close to 60 acres, on Route 85 in Raymond. Shortly after purchasing the land Busque met with the Raymond Planning Board for a pre-application site plan review.
At the review Busque proposed 109 units with a mix of multi-family and duplex buildings. The Planning Board was concerned about a joint septic system for all the units and asked Busque to revise the septic plan.
He revised the septic plan and returned to the board with a new proposal of 129 units or “houseominiums,” all with individual septic systems. In between the proposals Raymond voters passed new ordinance laws on land use development.
The ordinance, although not pertaining to Busque’s development specifically, put harsher rules on the current land use ordinance, stalling Busque’s second plan.
“Unfortunately, he is caught between two ordinance changes,” said Selectman Michael Reynolds.
Under the new zoning rules, Busque would need to have a public referendum on whether he could have the houseominiums instead of the duplexes.
“I have already been through a vote,” Busque said referring to Nov. 7’s referendum that would affect a quarry he owns in Windham. “I think that it will take too much time. I don’t want to ride my debt on whether or not a public ordinance goes through. I have to get something going by spring.”
Selectman Reynolds along with Comprehensive Plan Committee member Christine McClellan told Busque the town would really like to sit down and work with him on the houseominiums.
“We think this is a great opportunity,” said Reynolds. “We would like to have the nicer project.”
Although Busque would also like the houseominuims instead of the duplexes, he is running out of time financially.
“I would just as soon work with the town on this,” said Busque. “But this decision is financial for me. I have already had this land for two years.”
Busque requested two days to discuss this plan with his consulting engineer before making a decision. The board accepted his request and if Busque decides to go ahead with the houseominiums, a special meeting will be scheduled for the public.
Selectman Joseph Bruno told Busque that the plan would be fair for both the town and Busque.
“The plan has to be pretty clear up front,” said Bruno. “It needs to be fair to the one who has invested the money (Busque) and the town. He is counting on us to be supportive. We can’t pull the rug out from under him at the last minute.”
Selectman Chair Mark Gendron confirmed Bruno’s sentiment saying, “I think what we are trying to say is that this town is willing to work with you.”
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