Developer seeks approval to create affordable housing in Biddeford

A developer is asking for a reclassification of a property near the Saco River in Biddeford that would allow the creation of 60 affordable housing units.

Portland-based developing firm Bateman Partners has proposed a plan to expand the Forest Green apartment complex by adding two more buildings at 641 Main St. Each new building would be three-stories high, and house 30 apartments designated for low to moderate income renters. The two buildings will be connected by an atrium, under the plan, and apartments will be a mix of one and two-bedroom units, said Nathan Bateman, vice president at Bateman Partners at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. Bateman said he anticipates breaking ground in June 2026.

“This is right next to Rotary Park, and walking distance to the high school. That is a good location, no question about it,” said Mayor Marty Grohman.

The land where Bateman is proposing the new apartments is classified as Limited Residential by the Saco River Corridor Commission, which regulates development along the Saco River. Under the rules of the Saco River Corridor Commission, the proposed development would not be allowed on land designated as “Limited Residential.” In order for Bateman’s project at 641 Main St. to move forward, the land needs to be redesignated by the commission as “General Development.”

The current designation of Limited Residential under the Saco River Corridor Commission is based on outdated information, and current data indicates the parcel is out of the 500-year floodplain, making a reclassification to General Development viable, said Planning and Development Department Director George Gervais in a memo to the City Council.

The apartment buildings that stand next to the designated plot were built in the 1970s, before the Saco River Corridor Commission was established.

Bateman is asking the Saco River Corridor Commission for a reclassification of the property, and went to the City Council for support on Tuesday.

“We don’t go anywhere without the change in designation from the (Saco River) Corridor Commission,” said  Bateman.  “That being said, the Corridor Commission won’t move forward with our application, unless we have the support of the municipality.”

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution supporting the change of classification of 641 Main St. to General Development.

Bateman was scheduled to go before the Saco River Corridor Commission tonight.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.