BIDDEFORD — Having already successfully renovated space for approximately 50 living quarters and nearly 60 businesses at his North Dam Mill, Doug Sanford is arguably one of the most, if not the most, successful developer in Biddeford’s mill district.

Rather than renovating all his property at once, Sanford has taken an incremental approach to restoration of his three-building complex, which he acquired in 2004.

Following this model, Sanford is ready to tackle the third phase of redevelopment at his mill property. Final approval for his subdivision and site plans, as well as approval for conditional use and shoreland zoning permits, was granted by the Planning Board last week.

The plans for the latest phase call for an additional 40 residential units ”“ those completed last fall are full ”“ and a combination of retail, office and industrial use taking up about 13,000 square feet of space.

Sanford also plans on developing a performance arts space and a food court in this latest phase.

The only major issue that concerned Planning Board members, who have otherwise praised Sanford’s accomplishments, involved parking.

Parking in the mill district in general is at a premium and Sanford allocated no new parking spaces to add to the current 60 spaces on-site now.

In the past, City Planner Greg Tansley has said that the city’s parking ordinance is premised on parking needs in suburban areas, not for the mill and downtown districts.

Sanford, who has been granted parking waivers in the past for earlier development at North Dam Mill, was granted another waiver on Oct. 7.

Planning Engineer Jennie Franceschi said that a parking study performed by traffic engineers with Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers in Gray determined that there are ample spaces during the peak parking time if both downtown and on-site spots are utilized.

Concerns were raised about the need for additional parking with more development and more events and business at the site, but Scott Joslin, who represented North Dam Mill before the Planning Board, noted that currently there is little use of parking on Main Street during peak times. He also said during busy events there are parking attendants available who can guide visitors to available parking.

One Planning Board member questioned who would be responsible in the future if the demand for parking was so great that a parking garage would be needed.

Tansley said in other communities, usually funding comes from local and/or federal government sources. He said that some of the money generated by the Andrews/Alfred Road TIF District fund, which captures property taxes from new development from Biddeford Crossing and nearby areas, is being allocated to fund a parking garage without additional taxes from local residents.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.