The developer of the only commercial building on Highland Avenue is asking the city to relax restrictions on the types of businesses that can operate at the site.

GLM Associates – led by builder Vinny Maietta – has asked the South Portland Planning Board for a zoning change at 14 Gary L. Maietta Parkway that will allow for retail shops, personal service operations and branch business offices, in addition to convenience stores. The building previously housed two separate convenience stores, and both closed after a short time in business.

The Planning Board expects to hear the zoning change request on Oct. 14, according to Planning Director Tex Haeuser.

At issue is a 1,820-square-foot commercial building on one acre, just off outer Highland Avenue, near Wainwright Field.

Maietta said he is talking with several potential tenants for the building, which has been vacant since June. The possible tenants include convenience store operators.

“However, if it doesn’t work out, I would like to have some leeway for other uses,” said Maietta, adding that he has no plans to change or expand the building or parking lot.

Eric Bruneau operated Field House Variety at the site from 2004-2006. Bruneau said the traffic and neighborhood supported his convenience store, but that it was too difficult to run two businesses simultaneously – the popular South Portland House of Pizza on Cottage Road and the new Field House Variety, which sold pizza at a walk-up counter.

Bruneau, who lives off Highland Avenue, said, “Allowing for the site to have a different purpose in this economy is a smart move.”

Added Bruneau: “The Highland Avenue site is fantastic, and Vinny and his team built a beautiful building. If I were in Vinny’s position, I would be looking to do the same thing.”

Martino’s Pizza opened at the site in January 2008, but closed after six months. Marty Piacitelli, who ran Martino’s Pizza for less than a year, was unavailable for comment. Maietta said Piacitelli closed his shop for personal reasons and not for lack of business. He declined to comment further.

The City Council allowed Maietta to make changes to the site earlier this year to improve traffic.

Maietta had requested a variance on the sign ordinance, after Martino’s Pizza opened. Maietta said the limitations on signs made it hard for Martino’s to draw enough customers to the store. The City Council approved the request with some conditions, after the Planning Board endorsed the change.

But Martino’s Pizza closed before the additional signs and marquee were erected.

Maietta, who lives off Highland Avenue, said he is paying $6,000 a year in property taxes on the empty building.

He said more flexibility in leasing the site will not have an adverse impact on the residential neighborhood. If professional offices went into the building, there would be fewer cars stopping at the building than there were with the previous tenants, Maietta said.

“Any of the proposed uses would result in less traffic than a convenience store. Any future uses would be a reduction in traffic,” he said.

Haeuser said Maietta is hoping the city will be “less restrictive (with) the types of business uses” allowed in the residential area. Gas stations still would not be permitted at the site. Any branch business would not be a drive-through.

At the Oct. 14 meeting, the Planning Board will take public comment on the proposal. After the Planning Board hears the proposal, the zoning request will go before the City Council for review and a vote.

Although the City Council has supported business efforts at the site, some members worry about changing Highland Avenue’s character.

“The concern was this was a residential neighborhood. If any part of South Portland has a rural feel, it would be Highland Avenue,” Councilor Linda Boudreau said, when the sign ordinance came up for approval.

Much of outer Highland Avenue used to be farm fields. But the neighborhood has undergone enormous change in the last decade, from farmland to a middle-class suburb of single-family homes.