Planning board approves housing extension, Walmart pickup expansion and mixed‑use site plan with landscaping and sidewalk conditions

The Biddeford Planning Board on July 15 unanimously approved several development items, including a one‑year extension for Westbrook Development Corp.'s 76‑unit affordable housing project and a site‑plan amendment for Walmart that the board conditioned on replacing dead landscape islands and providing an ongoing maintenance plan.

Staff member told the board that Westbrook (case 2024Dot29) had already commenced construction and had paid roughly $400,000 for sewer upgrades for the first building; staff estimated the project would pay about $900,000 in impact fees when complete. The extension, which moves the approval expiration to Aug. 7, 2027, was approved without public opposition.

Board members moved and approved a preliminary and final subdivision amendment for Michael and Kirstine Menonini (case 2026.35) to split a River Road parcel into five single‑family lots. Staff said the parcel met zoning regulations and that the Sock River Corridor Commission and code enforcement had reviewed the application with no outstanding issues.

For the Walmart site‑plan amendment (case 2026.27) to add a 7,989‑square‑foot pickup area at 50 Boulder Way, the applicant's representative said the addition sits on existing impervious surface and will serve both grocery pickup customers and delivery drivers. Several board members pressed for better landscaping and requested that the applicant replenish dead trees and shrubs in existing islands. "If there's any landscaping that was approved on the previous development plans, that landscaping should be replaced," the Staff member said; the board approved the amendment contingent on a landscaping maintenance plan and review of plantings at the preconstruction meeting.

The board also approved a minor lot line adjustment at 355 Poole Street (case 2026.34) that transfers about 7,000 square feet between lots to improve yard and driveway access, subject to Sock River Corridor review.

Finally, the board granted preliminary site‑plan approval for a proposed mixed‑use development at 574 Elfridge Street (case 2026.09). Aaron Hunter, a civil engineer with Sebago Technics, described two buildings with three suites (two intended for quick‑service drive‑thru uses and one for general retail/office), stormwater controls using subsurface chambers, utility connections, and a proposed landscaping plan. Staff noted two requested waivers from Article 11‑2 related to setback/coverage requirements; staff recommended support of the waivers and the board voted to approve the preliminary plan and both waivers. Board members emphasized pedestrian access and asked the applicant to work with the city and DOT on a feasible sidewalk option and to prefer native species in the landscape plan.

The approvals were all adopted by voice vote and recorded as unanimous by the chair. The board listed standard conditions such as coordination with public works for utility trenching and a preconstruction meeting to finalize landscaping and maintenance details.