NORWAY — At the second public hearing concerning a proposed 17-unit cooperative housing development at 33-35 Whitman St., residents expressed a strong show of support for the project.

When asked who was “OK” with the project at the Aug. 8 meeting, about half of the 33 people in attendance raised their hand. When asked who was not OK with the project, one person raised their hand.

Thea Hart, project coordinator for Norway Equitable Housing Cooperative, first detailed the project and then the public commented and asked questions. Nearly all of the comments were in support.

“We live and work in Norway. We are part of this community already and we are not private developers,” Hart said.

The cooperative was launched in 2021 by Norway’s Center for Ecology-Based Economy with a mission of bringing affordable and sustainable, net-zero, housing to the area. To the co-op, net-zero means low to zero electricity bills within an energy-efficient building with solar panels providing all the necessary power, Hart has said.

There will be 12 parking spaces, which meet the requirements set forth in L.D. 2003, a state law passed in 2022 meant to remove barriers to affordable housing in Maine. The law requires two parking spots for every three units and it supersedes Norway’s parking ordinance, Hart said.

“If it turns out that the lower parking requirements cause problems, we aim to be in conversation with the town and any neighbors to remedy them,” Hart said.

The plans show two buildings – a three-story residential building and a common house building. Hart said there are plans for lots of green space as well building to high efficiency energy standards, as mandated by L.D. 2003.

Hart addressed some questions that were raised in a letter that was circulating in the neighborhood. Hart explained that the developers of the project are interested in living in the complex, but will have to go through the same application process as anyone else, so there is no “conflict of interest,” as stated in the letter.

“We are regular people affected by the housing crisis,” Hart said. “We care if this gets built more than we care if we have our names on the list.”

The letter also raised a question about crime rates and affordable housing, which Hart noted was an “unfortunate pairing.” Hart said crime rates are actually lower near cooperative housing developments.

“People are responsible for their own homes and are required to be in relationship with their neighbors to resolve conflict. And they have what they need,” Hart said.

The Norway Equitable Housing Cooperative building will be owned by the tenants and will operate as a limited equity housing cooperative with governing bylaws. Each household will hold a voting share in the organization.

James Howard, who lives next door to the proposed development, said he is concerned about lights shining into the windows of his house and requested a six-foot fence be built around the property.

Hart said the project should be able to accommodate that request.

The cooperative hopes to utilize MaineHousing’s Rural Affordable Housing Rental Program to help pay for the project and will likely find out about funding at the beginning of next year, according to Scott Vlaun, executive director of the Center for Ecology-Based Economy.

Hart said the cooperative has been engaged with the surrounding community throughout the process of buying the late Ashley Everett’s home and demolishing it in February. The dilapidated 19th-century home was unsalvageable and loaded with asbestos, basically making it a Brownfield site that had to be remediated. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “a brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”

After the project is built, the town will receive property taxes on a $3 million-plus investment, Hart said.

The final site plan meets all town ordinances for parking setbacks, stormwater drainage, and unit size, Hart said.

“It’s been sitting unused with dangerous buildings,” Hart said.

It was also explained that the development is not Section 8 housing, and it is more “workforce housing,” which will likely have people and families living there who make about 80% of the area median income.

Vlaun read a letter from Scott Berk, owner of Cafe Nomad and president of Norway Downtown, which said Berk “wholeheartedly” supported the project.

“It promises to make our neighborhood safer, increase our tax base, and make Norway an even more appealing place to live and raise a family,” Berk’s letter read.

The Norway Planning Board will next meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 to vote on approving or denying the cooperative housing development application.