GORHAM – Hans Hansen’s request for a contract zone to build a business park in South Gorham has apparently triggered four more proposals.

But before they take any action, town councilors on Tuesday decided that the Ordinance Committee should have a new look at the zoning in that part of Gorham.

“We need someone to look at the big picture,” Town Councilor Noah Miner said.

The South Gorham property owners seeking contract zones include Dennis and Demetria Chadbourne, 83 County Road; Albert Frick, 95 County Road; Mike and Sally Ordway, 94 County Road; and Mary McFarland, 86 County Road.

Town Councilor Michael Phinney, chairman of its Ordinance Committee, thought other landowners might also want an opportunity to be included. He said a town option could be to re-zone the area, which the council has discussed in the past.

County Road in South Gorham is not served by public water and sewer.

A contract zone allows a private party to rezone, but only under restrictions and limitations set by the town.

Gorham Planner Tom Poirier said Wednesday a contract zone could allow for commercial uses or increased residential density. Poirier said he hasn’t discussed plans with the four property owners.

Gorham Town Manager David Cole said Wednesday that since the four property owners initially had asked to be included in Hansen’s contract zone, it indicated they would seek similar businesses.

Dennis Chadbourne of Demetria’s Team, a real estate group, on Wednesday said their property is a 2.5-acre site, but he declined comment on future use. The other three property owners could not be reached Wednesday by the American Journal deadline.

In addition to Hansen’s proposal, two of those four requests on Tuesday’s council agenda had already been scheduled for Planning Board public hearings on Monday, Sept. 12. But the two now have been postponed.

The Planning Board agenda had initially included public hearings for the Chadbourne and Frick contract zone proposals, both in the rural district. Both Planning Board agenda items were worded “to allow specific commercial uses.”

The public hearing for Hansen’s proposal stays on Monday’s Planning Board agenda.

Hansen’s proposal would allow food outlets, gas stations, convenience stores and professional buildings.

“Hansen’s (public hearing) will go on,” Poirier said Wednesday. “The other two will get tabled until the council decides what they want to do regarding those contract zones.”

The public hearing for Hansen’s proposal is set for 7 p.m. Hansen is proposing the business development on his 25-acre parcel where the Mercy Hospital facility is located.

The council had already asked the town Planning Board for its recommendation about the proposal from Hansen for a contract zone on his property, at the intersection of routes 22 and 114. Hansen’s property is located in the rural and suburban residential zones.

The Town Council, which would also schedule a public hearing, ultimately will decide on Hansen’s measure.

“I don’t want to see Mr. Hansen’s project held up,” said Town Council Vice Chairwoman Brenda Caldwell, who served as acting council chairwoman Tuesday.

The council amended its four individual agenda orders 6-0 (Matthew Robinson absent) to divert the four latest requests to its Ordinance Committee instead of going to the Planning Board.

Frick, citing several businesses already located in South Gorham and neighboring North Scarborough along routes 22 and 114, spoke in Tuesday’s meeting in support of adding the extra contract zones.

“The area has certainly changed in the last 25 years,” Frick said.