Neighbors raise traffic and housing concerns at Old Orchard Beach TIF public hearing

A public hearing on the proposed Hill Municipal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District drew warnings from neighbors about traffic and housing impacts. The council described the district as roughly 56 acres and said it had negotiated a 20‑year credit‑enhancement arrangement with CHA Builders LLC after the developer initially requested a 30‑year tax relief term.

Resident Jerome Beckert of Gablesway criticized prior changes to speed limits and predicted new development would worsen traffic near the high school and create “a NASCAR, drag race road” on Dirigo Drive. Beckert said existing neighborhoods would be better served by local commercial buildings and worried that large rental apartment projects could bring subsidized housing and related problems; his remarks included concerns about Section 8 tenants and neighborhood safety. The council opened and then closed the hearing (hearing opened at 6:32 p.m. and closed at 6:37 p.m.).

Council members framed the TIF as a tool to enable development that otherwise might not occur and to capture future tax revenue rather than leave the land undeveloped. The chair said the developer and council had negotiated the term to 20 years to balance town and developer interests. No final vote on designation occurred at the hearing; the public comment period was recorded for later council consideration.