BELFAST – The City Council has taken the first step toward designating a specific parcel of land as suitable for large retail projects.

The council on Tuesday voted 3-2 to begin the process of changing city zoning on land bordered by Route 3 and Crocker Road to permit retail stores 100,000 square feet in size. Current zoning in that location caps store size at 75,000 square feet.

The issue of big-box stores has been highly charged in the city for years, and when Councilor James Roberts introduced his motion to expand the cap, fellow councilor Roger Lee cried foul. Lee contended the motion was sprung on the council at the last minute and more discussion was needed. He said he first learned of Roberts’ plan that afternoon.

“I object to it strongly,” Lee told Roberts. “This proposal was put together secretly … This is a really important matter and I think it deserves discussion. … Jim, you kept it from me, you kept me in the dark.”

Roberts agreed that he decided on the motion that day, but added that the location had been discussed by city boards, committees and its retail review commission for some time. Councilor Robert Gordon, who seconded the motion, agreed.

“I don’t think it’s anything new to the people,” Gordon said. “It’s been discussed in Belfast.”

Lee said he was troubled about the decision because the 140 acre parcel was large enough to accommodate up to a dozen 100,000-square-foot stores. He said the council had to consider what could take place on the site years from now instead of the near term.

Councilor Larry Theye, who was the swing vote on the issue, reminded his colleagues that the issue of large stores had divided the city for years and that it was time to bring the matter forward. He said the Route 3 area was already populated with commercial establishments and had been a topic of discussion for a few years.

Theye said he preferred to locate retail establishments in a specific area rather than have them sprawled across the city. He said the site was large enough that any development there would be set back from the highway. In addition, he said, the site had access to sewer and water.

“People will not even see development as they drive down Route 3,” Theye said. “There’s probably no other area that would have less impact than this.”

The motion called for permitting large stores by contract zoning, a process that city planner Wayne Marshall said would take many months. Before the council could change the zone, changes would have to be approved under the comprehensive plan and receive the support of the planning board. That process will require a number of public hearings before proceeding to the council for contract zoning approval, he said.

“It’s a motion to start a process,” Marshall said. “It’s now coming to a central point.”

A motion to table the Roberts proposal failed by a 3-2 vote. When the motion came to a vote, Roberts, Gordon and Theye voted in favor, while Lee and Catherine Heberer were opposed.