145-155 Washington Avenue; Proposed East Cove Townhouses.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,170)

Neighbors are invited to attend a meeting to discuss plans for a map amendment to change the zoning at 145 – 155 Washington Avenue on Thursday, August 14th at East End Community School, North Street, Portland.  The meeting is set for 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Developers, Ron Gan and Jed Redband, d/b/a Munjoy Hill Homes, plan to ask the city’s planning board for a change of zoning from R-6 to B2b. Under such circumstances, the city’s code requires that the developers hold a neighborhood meeting to explain their plans. In keeping with a new city directive, it’s possible that a city staff member from the planning office will attend the meeting as well to clarify and answer questions.

Called the East Cove Townhouse, the proposed plans would be situated on the current site of Casale’s Auto Sales and Service.  The Townhouses and a retail space would be housed in four separate buidings on the site.

Gan is the developer of the Federal State Condominiums.  Two years ago, he tried unsuccessfully to develop property he purchased on Sumner Court off North Street.  Neighbors formed an effective,  nonp-profit, Save Sumner Court, opposed to Gan’s development in the  neighborhood. Rathband is with Keller Williams.  Formerly, he was responsible for sales at 118 on Munjoy Hill.  He was replaced recently by Ed Gardner of Ocean Gate Realty as well as a defeated candidate for Mayor.

Barbara Vestal, former planning board member is the attorney for the two developers. She lives on Munjoy Hill.

For more background information, please visit Post # 2,165 dated July 21, 2014 herein. Or contact the city’s senior planner, Christine Grimando, 874-8608 or email her  at: cdg@portlandmaine.gov.