Barsamian plans to press pause on workforce rental project

Settlers Green developer Rob Barsamian (left) and engineer Mark Lucy of Horizons Engineering (right) both addressed the Conway Planning Board April 11 during a conceptual review of a possible 10-unit studio apartment workforce housing project behind Chipotle. (TOM EASTMAN PHOTO)

Following a conceptual review April 11 by the Conway Planning Board, Settlers Green developer Robert Barsamian says he plans to wait a year on developing 10 workforce housing units in a building that would be located behind the Chipotle building at 1549 White Mountain Highway, North Conway.

Conceptual review — as opposed to formal site-plan review — enables a developer to get feedback before the actual site-plan application process.

“This is workforce housing. We are trying to address a need … We want the feedback,” Barsamian said.

Engineer Mark Lucy of Horizons Engineering of Ossipee said the units would be 576-square-foot studio apartments in a two-story building, with five units on each floor, and one lower unit to be ADA-accessible.

He said the project received a variance from the Conway Zoning Board of Adjustment two years ago but due to cost factors the project was put on hold.

He said the project would now require ZBA intervention to allow for density of up to 12 units per acre.

As it has updated the town’s master plan, the board has embraced the idea of mixed-use retail and commercial projects.

Planning board member Eliza Grant said she would also like to see Barsamian develop some of the unused lots at Settlers Green for workforce housing.

“I’m all for mixed uses, but I feel the original Settlers Green loop would be a better place to try and squeeze in some housing,” said Grant.

Lucy and Barsamian assured her that the master plan for Settlers Green does allow for such possibilities.

Board vice chair Ailie Byers and member Bill Barbin both spoke in favor of sooner rather than later.

“I don’t like the idea of us pausing,” said Barbin, adding, “We ask developers to consider housing for mixed use all the time and now we’re saying, well, yeah, but this is not perfect. I think we should be looking at this.”

Added Byers, noting she has lived in other places where mixed use is more common, “In general it is very hard to live in Conway and not have a vehicle … I think the cluster opportunity at Settlers Green would be great. I would be glad to potentially look at this.”

Barsamian said he appreciated the feedback but said he felt it would be best to return in a year and reapply, depending on commercial financing rates  and the board’s continued work on amending zoning measures.

“My sense is to pause a bit on this … I would rather go and study it and come back,” said Barsamian, adding, “We appreciate the opportunity (to discuss this).”

For more on Barsamian’s plans, see his SUN-TV interview with Mark Guerringue at conwaydailysun.com.

In other housing matters, the board voted unanimousy to conditionally approve his Settlers Court project on Puddin Pond Drive to construct 10 residential rental apartments and 30 residential condominium townhouses and also create a 40-unit residential subdivision.

Barsamian agreed to add more tree/shrubbery screening for a berm to shield the project from the North-South Road.

He said he hopes to start construction on that project, and his planned Settlers Common housing project behind T.J.Maxx by fall.

The board also unanimously approved an expansion of outdoor dining at the Mountain Moose Asian Noodle Restaurant at Settlers Green, with the intended use to operate as a beer garden.

The board also extended by six months a conditional approval that was set to expire April 25 for the Garg Complex LLC’s plans to convert the former Echo Building at 15 Washington St. in Conway Village into studio apartments.

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