BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Planning Board’s adoption of a common development plan Tuesday may help spur business growth at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority — which oversees development at the former base — and Priority Real Estate were coapplicants of the CDP, which Town Planner Jeremy Doxsee said was “thoroughly vetted” by both the planning board and town staff.

The common development plan simplifies the planning process by adopting or altering a set of design standards for multiple lots. For example, standards for building sizes were also changed, reducing the minimal height to one story, with a maximum height of four stories.

In this case, the plan encompasses 19 acres within Brunswick Landing that front Bath Road across from the Shaw’s shopping plaza, continue west toward Brunswick Landing’s main entrance, and continue down Admiral Fitch Avenue.

The CDP will help bring in the types of businesses envisioned in MRRA’s reuse plan, according to Steve Levesque, MRRA’s executive director.

“The community wanted really good, high-quality development activity on the property,” he said. “Having quality developers like Priority Real Estate is real key to making that a success story. I’m pleased because the plan is being implement- ed like it was envisioned, and how often does that happen?”

Priority Real Estate Group LLC, is proposing a $20 million development of eight buildings and 10 additional lots.

Prior to the CDP adoption, MRRA’s reuse plan and the town’s zoning ordinance “didn’t mesh,” said Priority’s Jim Howard.

“There was no way to build on any of these lots, unless we changed that ordinance. For example, a building had to be 80 percent of the frontage of a lot. Well, I have one lot that’s 200 feet wide. That means your building’s got to be 80 percent of 200 feet, or you couldn’t build on that lot,” said Howard. “The best way to fix that is to go in with a common development plan and set the standards for all the lots.”

Now that the CDP is approved, Howard said he will start work on bringing individual projects to the planning board, starting with a 3,600-square-foot veterinary clinic to be located on the corner of Admiral Fitch Avenue and Forrestal Drive.

A proposal for the clinic will come to the planning board toward the end of this month, said Howard.

Other future projects include a convenience store/gas station, a bank and restaurant, and two office buildings.

Howard’s plans represent a turning point in the evolution of the former base, by providing support and amenities to businesses and colleges located there.

“There are a thousand students out there now,” said Howard. “There are 700 people working there now. Just these buildings going up will add another 240 people.”

The board allowed a number of waivers on Tuesday, including requiring onstreet parking on Admiral Fitch Avenue to allow for a boulevard-like environment.

Until a connector is built linking the former base to Route 1, Admiral Fitch Avenue will continue to be the main point of entry onto Brunswick Landing, said Levesque. That roadway, which is four lanes wide, has become busier as more businesses move in. Nearly 60 entities have a presence at the former base, according to Levesque.

“People want to be in a place that looks good and has good infrastructure, that has good pedestrian amenities, that has good signage, because it helps attract their customers,” said Levesque.

Charlie Frizzle, chairperson of the planning board, said the CDP does not mean approval of specific developments, which still must be approved by the planning board one at a time.

The plan was approved unanimously.

“Go forth and sell lots,” Frizzle told the applicants after the vote.

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com