Developer seeks easement from town of Old Orchard Beach

OLD ORCHARD BEACH ⁠— A developer of a housing project is asking the town for an easement on public green space, and in return will give the town 27 adjacent acres. While the Conservation Commission has given the proposed agreement its stamp of approval, some abutters have concerns.

The town owns an 8 acre parcel and a 4 acre parcel off Ross Road. The combined properties, known as Blueberry Plains, are managed by the town’s Conservation Commission and have flat sandy trails that meander through wild blueberry fields and lead to Trout Brook.

Mezoian Development is proposing a 34-lot single-family home development adjacent to the Blueberry Plains property. The developer is asking the town for a 50-foot easement through town property. In exchange, the developer will give the town about 27 acres next to Blueberry Plains.

The town council at a remotely held meeting on May 7 tabled a vote that, if approved, would have allowed town manager Larry Mead to develop and execute the deeds and documents necessary for the proposed easement agreement. The vote will occur at a later date, as many residents who live near the Blueberry Plains didn’t receive notice from the town until just a few days prior to last week’s meeting.

The Conservation Commission is in favor of the suggested arrangement. Conservation Commission Chairman Kimbark Smith wrote an email to the Town Council last month said the two pieces of property at Blueberry Plains are currently “landlocked” be private property.

“This additional piece will allow us to expand Blueberry Plains and make it a more viable destination,” he said.

Smith said in developments near the Milliken Mills Woods town property, homeowners have embraced the trails, and have helped to monitor and maintain them.

Smith said should the town receive the 27 acres next to Blueberry Plains, it will provide protection for a part of the Goosefare Brook Watershed that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is focusing on cleaning up.

Some neighboring residents had concerns regarding the easement agreement and wrote emails to the town which were read by Larry Mead at the town council meeting.

Ross Road residents Dan and Irene Nelson wrote that they “strongly object(ed)” to the plan, saying that it was in an area know for speeding vehicles, and the proposed development could create a dangerous intersection. They also said the land that was to be given to the town was undevelopable swamp land and was not a fair trade for the easement.