Track View Terrace is being considered for development of a 3-lane road entry point. courtesy photo / Meghan Condry
Jon Anderson, chair of the Scarborough Town Council, released a memorandum regarding a property access issue and upcoming developments in the Track View Terrace area. Anderson included responses to key questions and shared information from legal experts to clarify the situation for residents and promote transparency.
The memorandum provides a detailed summary of land title research in the Track View Terrace area. The research confirms the existence of a strip of land deeded to Crossroads Holdings LLC, owned “in fee,” and subject to an Option Agreement granting the Town rights to own and control the land. Additionally, Crossroads is obligated to convey easements created in 1950 for access and road improvement, running from the former racetrack site to Sawyer Road. These rights are generally 49.5 feet in width and are situated north of the existing traveled way known as Track View Terrace, allowing the Town to construct and maintain a road for access and utility services.
Anderson addressed the result of a title search on Track View Road. “The seller currently owns the land being conveyed to the town in fee, or in ordinary terms, they have outright ownership to the land itself. There are no restrictions on use for this land. If the town goes to closing on the option agreement, these ownership rights will transfer to the town,” explained Anderson.
Anderson mentioned that the leading contender for access is through the land conveyed by the seller, primarily via Sawyer Road. While other options are explored, access will only be considered via Sawyer Road. ”At this time, access will only be explored via Sawyer Road. There is no intent today to make access via Gorham directly across from Maple Avenue, though that is something the town could explore in the future with public input. Project costs on the ballot for the school only contemplate access via Sawyer Road,” Anderson said.
Anderson also addressed the intention and results of the neighborhood meeting held on October 10. The primary purpose of the meeting was to share roadway improvements and access options for the K-3 consolidated school solution. “It is clear from those in attendance there are concerns regarding traffic impacts on the road. However, the town is offering traffic improvement plans to appropriately manage increases in traffic flow and to enhance pedestrian safety that is currently not supposed on the current roadway,” Anderson said. Residents raised concerns about traffic impacts on the road, but the town says it is offering traffic improvement plans to manage increased traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety.
On the importance of the deed research, Anderson explained that the Town plans to engage with residents on Track View Terrace to review the results. The access roadway design is ongoing, with the goal of minimizing land purchases from private property owners. Anderson says the town is committed to being a good neighbor if ownership is transferred, addressing the needs and concerns of residents. Roadway improvements are based on expert recommendations for traffic flow and safety but will be subject to State review and approval if the referendum passes in November.
The response also mentioned the historical context of easterly access to the property, highlighting the need for faster direct access by public safety, especially considering recent events in Lewiston. “Given the unfortunate recent events in Lewiston, personally (not the position of the council or the project), I am more vigilant in the need for faster direct access by public safety from Sawyer Road in the event of an emergency,” Anderson said.
Anderson says the title research confirmed the land deeded to Crossroads Holdings LLC and detailed the historical ownership. Crossroads owns the strip of land in question “in fee,” and the Town has an option to purchase this land, along with certain easements, to create access and utility service from the former racetrack site to Sawyer Road. The experts included details from the 2018 deed, emphasizing that Crossroads does not claim ownership of the existing traveled way, which is subject to other private claims and easements. “The access roadway design is still in process, but the objective is to minimize the need to purchase strips of land from any private property owner adjacent to the land,” Anderson said.
The Scarborough Town Council says it will continue to prioritize transparency and effective communication with its residents as they navigate potential developments in the Track View Road area.
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