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Planning Board backs church-to-housing conversion; grants two-unit city reservation, parking waiver
Summary
The board granted a parking waiver and continued review of a proposal to convert a vacant church at 12 School Street into seven workforce housing units and a community space, while seeking draft findings and conditions for the next meeting.
The Planning Board on Jan. 7 granted a parking waiver and continued review of a proposed conversion of the former church at 12 School Street into seven workforce housing units and a community gathering space in the downtown zoning district.
The board voted 5-0 to grant a waiver from the parking standard the applicants requested after hearing presentations from the developer and city staff. The board also opened and closed a public hearing (no members of the public appeared) and voted to continue the application to Jan. 21, asking staff to prepare draft findings of fact and conditions of approval for that meeting.
Program and affordability protections: The applicants said they are applying to a state housing program — referenced in the packet as the "Bridal Affordable Rental Program" — that would require a 45‑year affordability covenant on the building. The applicant explained the program requires all units in the development to be affordable to households at or below 80% of area median income for the period of the covenant; the program’s financing structure places long‑term covenants and debt on the building. "Main Housing is not going to over subsidize this project," the applicant said, describing the subsidy structure and the long-term compliance requirement.
City reservations and public benefit: As part of negotiations the developer is making two units available to the city for workforce housing purposes; Economic Development Director Tracy Desjardins and Chief Jack Clements spoke in support, noting the city's workforce recruitment challenges and the benefit of reserved units for city staff recruitment. "We have a building ... the council is selling this building for a dollar," Desjardins said, describing the city's role and partnership in the project.
Next steps and conditions: The board asked staff to prepare findings and draft conditions for the Jan. 21 meeting. Staff indicated Maine water capacity letters and other technical responses are in the packet and asked the applicant to supply any remaining documents the board requests.
Ending: The board’s continuance will allow staff to prepare formal conditions and for commissioners to review final program documents and covenant language before a final vote.
