Greenville officials detail concerns in letters to development companies

GREENVILLE – Although no development is planned by Plum Creek or Burnt Jacket LLC in Greenville, municipal officials on Wednesday approved letters to the companies to convey local concerns about development proposed nearby.

Town officials and residents recognize that development and conservation plans for land in the Moosehead Lake region will have some impact on their community.

Plum Creek has proposed the creation of about 1,000 residential housing lots, resorts and sporting camps in the Unorganized Territory on land it owns bordering Greenville. Burnt Jacket LLC has proposed the development of 70 lots in neighboring Beaver Cove. Both proposals require zone changes from the Land Use Regulation Commission, which serves as planning board, appeals board and code enforcement officer for the Unorganized Territory and Beaver Cove.

“We’re fortunate to have had so much active participation by Greenville residents commenting on this and other regional development plans,” Greenville Town Manager John Simko said Thursday. “We are also fortunate Plum Creek is willing to listen to these comments before finalizing their revisions.”

In a letter to Plum Creek, town officials indicated that residents want to see development that promotes outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism. Other concerns identified in the letter include the need for the town to continue to plan on how to deal with development; to mitigate the impact of additional traffic to the community; to preserve the natural resources in the area, especially water bodies that have little development on or near them at this time; and to collaborate with Plum Creek to realize the opportunities for the community included in the proposed resource plan.

Town officials also noted in the letter that residents desired the company’s help in the revitalization of Big Squaw Mountain Resort, if possible, although the resort is owned privately by a Florida businessman.

The letter was the result of months of discussion on the company’s proposal. Local businesspeople encouraged town officials to get involved in the process after selectmen had voted to support the proposed plan and then rescinded their vote to remain neutral. Since then, selectmen have met with company officials and have held a public meeting to hear local concerns about the proposed development.

Simko had offered the board a lengthy critique of the proposed development to submit to Plum Creek, but selectmen agreed last month that since the plan is under revision, comments should be categorized into general areas as outlined in this week’s letter.

As for Burnt Jacket LLC’s proposed development, the board’s letter addressed concerns about septic waste and additional traffic congestion.

Since the proposed development would result in additional septic tanks in the region, the contents of which will be spread at a site in Greenville, company officials were asked to find a way to mitigate the impact by perhaps assisting in the development of a new, larger spreading site. Selectmen also asked that the company aid the town in the mitigation of traffic congestion.