Yarmouth Main Street development moves forward
A plan to develop two historic buildings owned by North Yarmouth Academy moved a step closer to reality Wednesday night when the Planning Board gave preliminary approval to a contact zone for a concept plan allowing the 12-unit residential project.
The contract zone request by Waypoint Partners goes to the Town Council for a vote after Wednesday’s 5-0 approval by the board. Alex Jaegerman, town director of planning and development, said Friday the Town Council will likely take up the plan next month.
If the council approves the contract zone, it then goes back to the Planning Board for final approval, which would include a public hearing.
Matt Cardente, of Cardente Real Estate, said the developer would create more detailed plans for the Planning Board and public to look at it the council approves the contract zone.
Cardente, the broker for North Yarmouth Academy, said the Planning Board, despite Wednesday’s approval of the conceptual plan and contract zone, is under no obligation to approve final plans.
Waypoint Partners is under contract with three buildings owned by North Yarmouth Academy, 149 and 153 Main St., both built in 1841, and 162 Main St., built in 1792,
The Freeport-based company plans to convert 149 and 153, the Shepley and Weld houses, with are adjacent to each other into eight townhouse condominiums, and build a third building in the back of the property that would have four more. The buildings would be connected by a walkway and surround a courtyard.
The contract zone is necessary because the additional building doesn’t conform to the current village planning zone, but would be allowed under proposed new zoning that has yet to be approved by the town.
The building across the street, 162 Main St., is now leased to office tenants and that use would remain.
North Yarmouth Academy is also requesting a contract zone that would allow it to create separate lots for 162 and 158 Main St., separating the property behind them, where the Mertz Science Center is located. That request is on the March 28 Planning Board agenda.
The school bought 162 Main St. in August 2001 for construction of the science center, and the two-story clapboard building at 162 Main St. has never been used for school purposes, but rented as offices ever since, Head of School Ben Jackson said last week.
Cardente said that the building and smaller lot would be bought by Waypoint Partners, while the school would keep the portion with the science center.
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