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Council advances Millbrook Estates affordable-housing TIF items to July public hearing after split public reaction
Summary
The Westbrook City Council voted unanimously June 15 to send amendments for the Millbrook Estates affordable-housing TIF and a new Millbrook Estates 3 TIF to public hearing July 6. Developers said the change is needed to finance two phases of senior one‑bedroom units; neighbors raised concerns about neighborhood agreements, density and long-term tax impacts.
The Westbrook City Council voted unanimously June 15 to schedule a July 6 public hearing on two connected measures to amend the Millbrook Estates affordable-housing development district and to create a new Millbrook Estates 3 tax-increment financing (TIF) district.
Tyler Nord, president of Westbrook Development Corporation, told the council the project targets senior residents with one-bedroom units and depends on MaineHousing financing and TIF support to be financially viable. "The project we're talking about here tonight is targeting seniors," Nord said, adding the proposal would bring a 36-unit, one-bedroom building in the first phase and a second building later as funding allows.
The mayor and staff framed the measures as a commonly used financing tool for low-income housing. Mayor David Morse explained that affordable-housing TIFs are distinct from other municipal TIFs and are used to "buy down the cost of construction" for projects that would otherwise not pencil under available subsidy programs.
At least two residents urged the council to pause or reject the changes. Beth Paulson Olmstead, a nearby property owner, said she believed an earlier agreement limited future expansion at the Millbrook site and urged councillors to "vote no" to protect green space and neighborhood character. Mark Fournier, who spoke remotely, asked for a taxpayer-impact analysis and questioned whether the city should use TIFs that divert a portion of new tax revenue to developers rather than pursue conventional development that would immediately add tax revenue.
City staff and the applicant pointed the public to material in the council packet that describes the purpose of the TIF and financial parameters, and staff said MaineHousing oversight applies to affordable-housing TIFs. Rebecca Spatella, director of planning and code enforcement, said a 2024 contract-zone amendment changed permitted density, and she continues to review historical documents cited by residents.
The council moved both orders by title and voted to place them on the July 6 agenda for public hearing and further deliberation. No final approvals of development were made at the meeting; the hearings will allow additional public comment and staff analysis.
Pending steps include the July 6 public hearing, further staff review of planning documents and the formal TIF application materials that are included in the council packet.
