By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

A public hearing on the clubhouse for the proposed 87-acre “Olde Port Village” between North and School streets continued July 16 with two dozen residents in attendance. They were asked to hold their comments on the clubhouse due to an unexpected change in the proposal. 

“At last meeting, we went back and forth in regard to the recreation center. After the meeting I opened up dialogue with Mrs. [abutting property owner Jane Morgan] Weintraub. I now understand the value of the property and why she feels the way she does about it, so I talked with my guys and moved the clubhouse down to the center of the subdivision,” said developer Tom Macone of CDMK, LLC Properties.

He said moving the building required reconfiguring a few lots and taking watershed and landscape into consideration. 

The clubhouse, originally located on the property line abutting Weintraub’s property, has been relocated, and one of the two duplexes will be built on the former location of the clubhouse. The change in layout reduces the subdivision from 82 to 80 condo units and leaves a 30-foot strip of undeveloped land between the subdivision and Weintraub’s property line. 

Weintraub said she decided July 14 to fly from her home in Malibu, Calif. to be present for the meeting. Weintraub is one of 62 abutters to the proposed subdivision and owns the largest parcel of land.

“I would say this is certainly a gesture of friendship, reconciliation and sensitivity. Macone moving the clubhouse is a sensitive response to my concerns. I have owned the land with my brother since 1958 and I have a great attachment to the town. I’m trying to protect my interests,” Weintraub said after the meeting.

“I’m very impressed. It is kind of stunning, but indicative of the cooperation we’ve received from you,” Planning Board Chairman David Kling said. 

Due to the change in layout, Kling requested Macone submit another application with an updated layout for the planning board to review, which would tentatively go to public hearing Aug. 6.

Mitchell and Associates Landscape Architects Principal Architect Bob Metcalf addressed concerns regarding the subdivision’s land density. He compared the neighboring 27-acre Foxberry Woods development, which has 1.4 dwelling units per acre and 3.5 acres of open space, to the proposed 87-acre “Olde Port Village” with a density of .94 units per acre and 30 acres of open space.

Foxberry Woods residents Rob Snow and Robert Dillon raised their concerns about privacy. Snow and Dillon share a duplex abutting “Olde Port Village.” Snow said the trees are cut right to the property line, and he doesn’t want to be looking at someone else’s back deck.

“Don’t be offended, but they don’t want to see you as much as you don’t want to see them,” Macone said. 

Metcalf said 20 feet of land would be preserved between the developments and supplemental trees would be added where needed. Macone said in a previous subdivision, he planted 16-foot pine trees as a buffer between his development and an existing property, and would do the same for this subdivision.

Planning board member Leo Famolare said in the past, the board has seen developers promise certain things, but “flip” the property after it was complete, voiding those promises. He asked Macone about his level of commitment to the property.

Macone said he was only half joking when he told the board he would buy his partners out and move his family up here if that is what it took to finish out the development.

“I have never flipped a property. I think this subdivision is a doable thing even in this economy. This was the first time I had to provide references on an application to a town, and I was pleased with those references. I certainly won’t come in, rape the land and run,” Macone said. 

The next Kennebunkport Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Village Fire Station on North Street.