Biddeford lends support to market-rate apartment proposal, gains $500,000 in affordable housing funds

BIDDEFORD — The city has approved a joint development agreement with Devine Capital that would give the city $500,000 in affordable housing funds. The developer is planning a project that would create 216 market-rate units in a zone where residential development is currently not allowed.

Devine Capital is under contract with New Life Church for a 44-acre vacant property at 588 and 590 Andrews Road. Andrews Road intersects with Route 111 past the Five Guys restaurant toward the Arundel town line.

The developer would like to create a nine-building housing development that would have a total of 216 units. The development would include 27 studios, 18 one-bedroom units, 36 one-bedroom units with a den, 108 two-bedroom units and 27 three-bedroom units, said Greg Mitchell, interim development director at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. The proposed development would also include a clubhouse, an outdoor playground, conservation easements for wetlands, he said, and could possibly include day care.

Ben Devine of Devine Capital said at a February workshop that while he didn’t have an exact figure on what the rents would be for the suggested development, they would be in line with rates at Devine Capital’s apartment complexes in Scarborough and Freeport, which run from $1500 to $2300 a month.

Devine Capital has committed to contribute $500,000 to the city to support affordable housing, as part of a joint development agreement approved by the City Council on Tuesday.

The City Council on Tuesday also directed the planning board to review a contract zone needed that would allow the proposed apartment project on Andrews Road, as zoning for the location prohibits residential development. The planning board will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council, which has the final vote on the contract zone.

Justin Sweeney, pastor at New Life Church, said the church had several offers for the property. He said the church wanted to see a project that would help address the housing shortage in Biddeford and was very impressed with the team at Devine Capital.

“I see this as a win/win,” he said, as it would provide the city tax revenue on land that was currently tax exempt and help bring affordable housing to the area.

City Councilor Bobby Mills said he was impressed with Devine’s development in Scarborough, and it appeared the proposed housing in Biddeford would be similar.

“I look forward to seeing it,” he said.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].