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Kittery Planning Board approves deadline extensions for two Route 1 hotel projects
Summary
The Planning Board on May 14 approved a three-month extension for a 91-room hotel at 85 U.S. Route 1 and a six-month extension for a 62-room hotel at 90 U.S. Route 1, citing pending DEP stormwater and DOT permits and possible minor plan changes.
The Kittery Planning Board on May 14 approved deadline extensions for two proposed hotels on U.S. Route 1 to allow applicants additional time to secure required permits and finalize minor plan changes.
Ian MacKinnon of Jones & Beach requested a three-month extension for the approved redevelopment of 85 U.S. Route 1 (Map 7 Lot 26, Commercial Bypass/Old Post Road C-3 zone), which would replace a former hotel with a new 91-room hotel and associated parking. Board members discussed the status of a Maine Department of Environmental Protection stormwater permit and a potential Department of Transportation permit. Justin Gonsalves moved to approve the three-month extension; Lea Kaufman seconded. The motion passed, 6-0-0.
Separately, representatives for 90 U.S. Route 1 (Tax Map 14, Lot 2, C-3 zone) requested a six-month extension to begin construction on a proposed 62-room hotel while awaiting DEP stormwater review and considering a DOT waiver and potential plan modifications. Geoff Aleva of Civil Consultants and Eben Tormey described the permitting timeline and options for minor versus major plan changes. Lea Kaufman moved to approve the six-month extension; Robert Doyle seconded. The motion passed, 6-0-0.
Why it matters: both extensions delay the deadlines to commence construction on sizable hospitality projects along a primary commercial corridor and give applicants time to resolve state permitting and any design refinements. The board’s unanimous votes mean both projects may proceed once outstanding permits are obtained and any approved plan modifications are finalized.
Next steps: applicants will pursue DEP and DOT permitting as applicable and return with any required amendments to the Planning Board; no changes to the underlying approvals were made at the May 14 meeting.
