The Town Council on March 5 agreed to extend the town's sewer service area along Eastman Road to accommodate a proposed 46-unit condominium project envisioned for Eastman Road.

The 30-acre parcel proposed for development, owned by Wyley Enterprises, LLC developer Joel Fitzpatrick, lies in the town's residence B district and is recommended for public sewer by the new draft comprehensive plan.

"This type of project provides a unique opportunity to increase the diversity of housing in Cape Elizabeth through a condominium project focused on the 55 and older population, which continues to be a growing housing market," said project engineer Owens McCullough, representing Wyley Enterprises.

The Planning Board, which has not formally reviewed the project but has discussed the plans in workshop, supports public sewer for the parcel, the memo says. "However, we cannot extend sewer without formal designation by the Town Council," McCullough says.

The council's sewer area extension is a first step in the development process, Town Planner Maureen O'Meara said at the council meeting. The Planning Board will need to review site plans, traffic studies, and hold a public hearing before granting preliminary approval. The project will then go back to the council for conditional approval of infrastructure such as roads and sewer connections.

The project would then go back to the Planning Board for hearing and final approval before construction, including sewer construction, would begin.

Public sewer currently ends approximately 900 feet from Spurwink Road on Eastman Road. The sewer would need to be extended another 1,200 feet along Eastman Road to include the project site.

The area is designated for growth by the comprehensive plan, and its zoning encourages preservation of open space. "What we're trying to do is really pave the way, to go forward with a project that is consistent with the comprehensive plan," McCullough told members of the council March 5. The parcel's location will allow links to existing open spaces at Winnick Woods and Cross Hill, he said. "It's a nice opportunity to do a number of things that are consistent with the plan, including sewer, which is what we are here for tonight," McCullough said.