Topsham voters approved a ballot measure to create a tax increment financing district to help developers build a four-story apartment building on Union Park Road intended for area workers.

The TIF allows work to begin on a 183-unit apartment building, including 10 units for people making no more than 80% of area median income and 51 units for those making no more than 120% the median income. The remaining units are planned to be available at market rate.

The measure passed with a yes vote of 2,500 and a no vote of 1,674, according to results released Tuesday night. A related question about amending the downtown TIF district to allow for the new district also passed.

People working in Topsham will be given first preference in leasing, while those who work within 15 miles get second preference over the general public.

The tax increment financing district and a credit enhancement agreement between the town and the developer are intended to provide subsidies to keep the project affordable and fill a gap in financing. Under the agreement, the town would capture all revenue on the increased assessed value in the roughly 4-acre district. Sixty percent of that revenue will be reimbursed to the Union Park developer and 40% will go toward town projects, including infrastructure improvements and school and public safety investment.

The Select Board had recommended the ballot question “ought to pass” at a September meeting.

Holman Homes, Lumen Design and Development, and Solhem Companies, developers behind the Sandpiper Residences on Brunswick Landing, proposed the Topsham project. The residence will join an existing office building located at the address.

OTHER VOTES

On the Select Board, two empty seats went to newcomers David Kenney and Mike Labbe, both of whom ran unopposed. Haley Kulas, who was also uncontested, was reelected to the School Administrative District 75 seat for Topsham.

Residents also voted no to a non-binding question gauging the public’s interest in allowing recreational cannabis sales in town, and voted yes to a non-binding question asking if they would limit recreational cannabis permits to two sellers.