The Newcastle Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a design review certificate application for the Newcastle Harbor House at their Oct. 25 meeting.
“The plan appears to comport very well with the downtown area,” Newcastle town attorney Peter Drum said.
Bob Martin, Chief Operating Officer of Mattson Development, said Mattson and architect Tor Glendinning of 45° North worked with historic consultants from Sutherland Conservation to ensure the design did not disrupt the historic character of the town.
Mattson Development, which owns the Harbor House property, previously worked with Sutherland Conservation on projects in Hallowell, Portland and Saco, Martin said.
Selectman Lee Straw moved to approve the application and after a brief period of discussion, the motion passed, 5-0.
Newcastle requires property owners within three design review districts to complete the design review process for new buildings or certain aesthetic changes to existing buildings. The districts include Sheepscot village, Damariscotta Mills and downtown Newcastle.
Drum and Mattson Development are negotiating the terms of a performance guarantee and Mattson is seeking written assent from the Dept. of Transportation for handicapped parking on Main Street in front of the site. When both items are in place, Newcastle will grant a building permit.
After receiving the permit, Mattson Development hopes to “proceed as quickly as we can” with construction, Martin said.
