Planning board recommends sale of former police station at 85 Park Street, asks council to exclude marijuana retail

The Lewiston Planning Board voted to send a favorable recommendation to the city council for disposition of 85 Park Street, the vacant former police station, while asking the council to consider restricting marijuana retail on the property.

Shelley Norton, deputy director, said the building was purchased in 1975 and built in 1977; the lot meets minimum size and frontage for its zone but the one‑story building is nonconforming under a 20‑foot height requirement. Norton said the finance committee recommended selling the property to a taxpaying entity and listed the assessed value at roughly $500,500.

Board members discussed likely redevelopment uses, including restaurants, mixed‑use development and housing. Alex Pine said the downtown site “gets turned into a building that has more utility than the current one” and suggested the board encourage redevelopment that aligns with the comprehensive plan. Michael Marquott raised concerns about maintaining the tax base if the site became housing and said he would consider sale acceptable if the price approached assessed value.

Several members asked whether the board could recommend deed restrictions. Norton and other members clarified the board’s recommendation is advisory to the council, and that while the board can suggest restrictions, the council makes the final determination.

A motion to recommend disposition with the board’s intention that the site be redeveloped in accordance with the plan and a request that marijuana retail be excluded passed on a unanimous roll call.

Next steps: the recommendation will go to city council for consideration; the council will determine sale terms and whether to adopt deed restrictions or other conditions.