By Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
Plans for CDMK, LLC Properties and Portland-based Mitchell & Associate to build an 82-unit residential development on 87 acres between North and School streets in Kennebunkport is meeting opposition from residents and abutters.
During a recent public hearing June 18, citizens voiced their unease, including Andrea Mabee, an abutter of the proposed project.
Mabee, who has lived on North Street since 1985, said wetlands, a possible habitat for endangered spotted and Blanding’s turtles, make up a good portion of the proposed site. She said the site is also home to coyotes, foxes, deer, rabbit and rare species of flowers.
“Our environment is pretty important and people are learning they have to pay attention,” she said. “If we keep weakening the environment, we will pay for it in the end.”
Mabee said she is concerned about an increase of traffic on North Street if the development is constructed. She said traffic along the street prompts police to park along it to ticket speeding drivers.
She said the proposed development would increase traffic on the “already busy street.”
“It’s busy and congested in the summer,” she said, adding she is concerned about the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. “People in town have a better feel for the town [than engineers]. They know what it’s like in the summer – and in the winter when snow is piled up.”
Portland-based Woodard & Curran Engineer, Barry Scheff, said the total car trips per day were estimated to be 54 with peak trips of 45 in the morning hours and 51 in the evenings, but Mabee said she hired her own traffic engineer to investigate the matter.
 She said 82 housing units would produce 10 trips per unit per day.
“You do the math,” she said. “Eighty two times 10 is 820 trips,” she said.
She also questioned why the planning board allowed a waiver to reduce the distance between the proposed roadway and an adjacent perennial stream from 75 feet to 61 feet.
“When I built my house, I didn’t ask for a waiver [to build closer to the stream],” she said.
Kennebunkport Planning Board Chairman David Kling said the zoning ordinance permits a waiver to reduce the distance to 50 feet.
Mabee asked why the 24-foot-wide road requirement was waived, but Kling said 24 feet was a “suggested standard.” He said a 20-foot wide road is the minimum and said the proposed roadway through the development received endorsement from the police and fire departments, as well as the public works department. However, Mabee said 22 feet is the recommended road width according to Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission.
Mabee also took exception to the “monstrous” multi-plex buildings that would be a part of the development.
“They do not reflect the character of Kennebunkport,” she said.
  The development design includes what Mabee called a “community complex,” featuring a swimming pool and tennis courts, next to her property.
“They are calling it a clubhouse,” she said. “We say it’s not a club because you have to join a club. People who purchase a unit are entitled to use it.”
She said a special use permit is required for such a recreation complex.
“That ordinance is in place because we don’t want massive growth,” she said speaking of Kennebunkport’s growth ordinance.
“Truthfully, I don’t think people are aware of what’s going on. We understood it would be a small subdivision. I guess we’ve been complacent ourselves.”
She said she liked the idea of living in a quiet setting and she realized the need for change.
“I just think there should be moderation,” she said. “The nature of the town is quiet and quaint. This [complex] erodes that concept. I don’t think it can happen as it’s proposed.”
A July 2 public hearing is slated specifically for the issue of the clubhouse.