Developer Peter Busque said he named his $25 million housing project in Standish “The Wildlands” after coming face-to-face with a bear on the property before developing it.

“I ran one way and he ran the other,” said Busque.

The land, situated off Boundary Road in the western part of Standish, is part of a game preserve, which means no hunting is allowed, and contains wildlife like deer, moose and bear. Busque held an open house last weekend as part of an effort to lure potential residents to the site. One person showed up.

The Wildlands, according to Planning Board Chairwoman Carol Billington, is “by far the largest” development in Standish’s history. Neighbors said they think development in the area is inevitable and don’t mind new houses being built.

Neighbor Joshua McKenney said he’s happy to have new people in the area, but he doesn’t know how he feels about the size of the project, which is slated at 116 housing lots.

“Hopefully it’ll mean some work will come my way,” said McKenney, who builds homes for a living.

Busque said all land clearing and roadway excavating work has been done, but that underground utilities like public water, cable, telephone and electricity still need to be installed.

Large, odd-shaped rocks and uprooted stumps have been piled up to create a habitat for salamanders, according to Busque, to comply with rules from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Busque said the housing development is located 11 miles from Windham and 15 from Gorham, and six miles from the upcoming Gorham bypass. It is also surrounded by Maine ATV and snowmobile trails.

Lots start at $197,900 and cost around $220,000 if they include a completed house.

“We make all our stuff on site, gravel, loam, etc.,” said Busque. He said the only problem now is selling them. He had an open house last week and only one person showed up.

He said he is confident that the houses will sell because of the location and price. He has sold one lot so far.

“People gotta have houses,” said Busque, saying the demand will always be there.

Billington said that a growth cap keeps developers from putting too many new residents in Standish in any given year. Busque is limited to 15 “growth permits” each year, so he can only sell that many lots.

She said The Wildlands is preserving a lot of open space and the water lines Busque is installing expands the town’s infrastructure.

Wildlands1-2: Peter Busque, owner of The Wildlands housing development, drives a caterpillar vibratory compactor over the soft earth of one of the 116 house lots that is for sale. The lots sell for about $200,000 each, but Busque said demand has not been high.Wildlands1-2: Peter Busque, owner of The Wildlands housing development, drives a caterpillar vibratory compactor over the soft earth of one of the 116 house lots that is for sale. The lots sell for about $200,000 each, but Busque said demand has not been high.