The Gorham Planning Board Monday approved a master site development plan for 102
condominium units for residents age 55 and older on a site off Newton Drive.

The project connects the end of Shirley Lane with Newton Drive and adds four dead-end, private roads, according to the Gorham Planning Department’s printed material.

Maka Builders LLC is the developer for the project named Narragansett Reserve Estates on 40 acres in the South Gorham Crossroads zone.

The board approved the plan, 4-0, with its chair, Jim Hager, who lives on Newton Drive, recusing himself from the discussion and the vote.

It marks the third, recent high-density housing development to be located on the 3,600-acre Narragansett Game Sanctuary. The state designed the sanctuary a century ago to protect a deer herd.

Other large-scale developments in the preserve are the first phase of the Robie Street project with 391 units overall and also development of the former golf course on McLellan Road. The Town Council earlier this year approved a contract zone to extend a public sewer that can pave the way for a 824-unit housing project on 170 acres at the golf course.

The sanctuary encompasses privately owned property that was once farmland and forest. While the state prohibits hunting in the sanctuary, there are no state rules that block development.

No one from the public at Monday’s meeting spoke up about the deer herd.

Andy Morrell of the BH2M engineering firm represented Maka Builders. The project proposes to extend public water to the development along Brackett Road from near Wyman’s Auto Body.

“We’re designing it to Portland Water District standards,” Morrell said.

A public sewer to be extended along Brackett Road that would serve the golf course is on the drawing board, but it’s unclear if Narragansett Reserve Estates could tie in.

With a public sewer unavailable now, current plans call for septic systems to serve the Newton Drive project. Residents Richard Foley and Ricard Blake, both of Newton Drive, questioned the plan for septic systems.

But Morrell addressed their concerns.

“There’s no problem getting septic systems to work,” Morrell said.

Hager, speaking from the public podium, said traffic and road width is an issue. Two vehicles can’t pass on Newton Drive, Hager said, and a traffic study was launched before school buses were on the road.

“Traffic is a serious concern,” Hager said.

Morrell said Gorham Public Works has indicated road improvements will be needed.