SACO — The developer proposing to turn the former Notre Dame de Lourdes Church into apartments has altered the proposal to meet the city’s parking standards, though he is still asking for an increase in housing density.

The former Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, located at 16 Cutts Ave., closed in 1999. Hardypond Construction is under contract to purchase the former church property, which in addition to the church includes a parking lot and former rectory.

Frank Carr, director of business development with Hardypond Construction said at a City Council meeting Tuesday night there is a three-phase plan for development of the property.

The first step would redevelop the church to create 19 apartments. The second phase would tear down the rectory to the left of the church and create a building with 22 apartments. The third phase would require constructing a new building to the right of the former church that would house 33 senior-living apartments.

The development agency will need the city to approve a contract zone before it can proceed forward, as the proposal exceeds the city’s density limits for housing and does not meet setback requirements.

The developer had previously asked for accommodations for parking, but has changed the number of apartments in the proposal to accommodate the proposed 44 parking spots.

City zoning allows a property of that size in that location to house 18 standard or 27 senior apartments.

Hardypond is proposing building with 5-foot setbacks, instead of the required 10-foot setbacks.

The proposed apartments would be between 500 and 800 square feet, said Carr. He said he hopes to have the first phase of housing available for occupancy in August.

Resident Barbara Colman asked Carr if the development company would be asking for a TIF, or tax increment financing, for the project. Carr said there “probably would be a need for public/private partnership.”

“I don’t know exactly how that’s structured,” he said, as the contract zone, which would help determine the final plan, was still pending.

Downtown resident Beth Johnston said she was “totally behind” the redevelopment of the church, but she was concerned about the number of units being proposed.

She said it had been suggested that increasing the number of people in the downtown would be an “economic tool,” but noted the development of an apartment complex in the downtown on Water Street about 30 years ago has had a minimal impact on the downtown businesses.

Resident John Harkins said he thought it was great the company was proposing apartments at the former church property, but he was concerned that there would need to be more parking.

“Parking is essential,” he said.

The City Council will vote on the contract zone Nov. 21. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.