Nonprofit proposes 10‑unit affordable housing near downtown Skowhegan

Community Housing of Maine (CHOM) introduced plans on April 7 for a 10‑unit affordable housing development at 48 and 52 Waterville Road in Skowhegan. Bree LaCasse, CHOM’s development director, said the nonprofit intends the project to provide quality, affordable rental units within walking distance of downtown revitalization efforts.

The parcel, just under one‑half acre, currently contains two vacant multifamily buildings that would be demolished to make way for the new structure, Nate Holt of Acorn Engineering said. The proposal calls for a single 10‑unit building, 11 parking spaces, designated solid waste areas, pedestrian walkways, and landscaping with evergreen buffers. A rain garden is proposed to manage stormwater runoff and improve conditions compared with the existing, untreated runoff.

Architect Ryan Senatore described a New England–style building with two one‑bedroom units and common areas on the first floor and eight two‑bedroom units above. The design will include sound insulation between units, a sprinkler system, and two ground‑floor units designed to meet accessibility standards; the building will not include an elevator. LaCasse said CHOM plans to target rents at or below 60% of area median income and anticipates financing the project with a mix of state and federal sources.

Board members asked about insulation, fire protection, energy efficiency, accessibility, stormwater management, parking, grading, pedestrian connections and utilities. The applicant indicated a goal of breaking ground in the fall. Members expressed general support for redeveloping the site and adding needed housing and indicated the application can proceed to subsequent review and permitting steps.

The Planning Board did not vote on the project at the April 7 meeting; applicants will return for later technical and regulatory review.