CAPE ELIZABETH — Construction of Eastman Meadows, the town’s first new condominium complex in a dozen years, is underway.

“From 1998 to the present there have been zero condominiums built,” Town Planner Maureeen O’Meara said. “But there have been a decent amount of other projects, single-family homes and buildings.”

“The amount of development changes with the economy,” O’Meara said. “There is a significant ebb and flow. Right now there is a shift, but it won’t stay like this forever.”

O’Meara said the Comprehensive Plan calls for diversification in the types of homes offered to residents, and it is appropriate to create housing, like Eastman Meadows, for an aging generation.

“I don’t expect condominium projects to increase the amount of development in town, I expect the mix of development to change,” she said.

Developer Joel FitzPatrick of FitzPatrick Associates said he is pleased Cape has approved the Eastman Meadows condominiums.

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“We’ve been on hold for a while, so it is good to see the work has started,” he said.

The project received final approval more than a year ago, but the state of the economy made it difficult to begin, he said.

Now, the 40 acres of land on Eastman Road are being transformed from farmland to condominiums and walking trails. Fourteen acres will be used for new roads and the development, and 25 will be conservation land FitzPatrick said.

“There’s close to 250 acres of open space in this area,” he said. “We are going to create trails and connect them to the Greenbelt system. People will be able to walk in the woods right in their backyards.”

The homes are designed for people 55 years and older, although there are no age restrictions, he said. They will be single-story, two-bedroom, two-bathroom units, and will range between 1,500 to 1,800 square feet. Other available features include dens, sun- or screen-porches, and each unit, depending on those additions, cost between $359,000 and $450,000.

“We can even incorporate energy efficiencies like solar panels or geothermal systems to the units,” he said. “These homes can be custom designed for each individual.”

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Douglas C. Foglio construction of Waterboro has been working to level the land and create the entrance road, Tenniger Lane. Within the next few weeks, FitzPatrick said the building foundations will be set and the walls will be erected.

Five of the 46 units are currently under contract.

“By January or February these first five units will be ready, and by the spring, we’ll finish it up,” he said. “I’m so happy to see it take shape.”

For more information on Eastman Meadows or to request information, call 799-5000 ext. 7114 or visit eastmanmeadows.com.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 or aanderson@theforecaster.net

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Developer Joel FitzPatrick at the site of what will be the 46-unit Eastman Meadows condominium complex on Eastman Road in Cape Elizabeth. The 40-acre project includes homes and conservation land.


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