A proposed retirement community on land between Stroudwater and Spring streets has cleared the first hurdle on the way to approval.
On Monday night, City Councilors voted 5-2 in favor of a rezoning request by Sandy River Health Systems for their proposed retirement community. Councilors Drew Gattine and Suzanne Joyce voted against the proposal to rezone a 53-acre parcel of land from rural to residential growth area 1. The rezoning proposal will not become final until the council holds a second vote at its meeting Feb. 6.
Gattine said he was opposed to plans for a cut-through street running through the community, connecting Stroudwater and Spring streets. “I think a cut-through street through a retirement community is a poor idea,” he said.
Gattine added he felt there is too much residential development in the city, which strains resources such as the school system.
City Administrator Jerre Bryant said that the retirement community would generate more tax income than what a public road would cost. He also added that the proposed retirement community would put no strain on Westbrook schools since there would be no students living there.
Sandy River representatives were pleased with the outcome.
“We’re cautiously ecstatic,” said Sandy River Health Systems Vice President Michael Prior. “We realize there’s two readings. We realize it’s a long road. And we understand the emotional aspect of changing a rural zone. We appreciate that. [But] we’re hopeful about our future in Westbrook.”
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