From: 	"Jonathan Culley" <jonathan@redfernproperties.com>
To:	"'Jean Fraser'" <JF@portlandmaine.gov>, "'Barbara Barhydt'" <BAB@portlandmaine.gov>, "Alex Jaegerman" <AQJ@portlandmaine.gov>
Date: 	6/29/2011 12:43 PM
Subject: 	Harborview Townhouses - Request for reconsideration

I hereby request that the Harborview Townhomes Level III Site Plan project
is scheduled for reconsideration at the next Planning Board meeting
scheduled for July 12th.

Jonathan Culley

Redfern Homes LLC | Redfern Properties LLC

Cell: 207‑776‑9715

Office: 207‑221‑5746

Fax: 207‑221‑2822

jonathan@redfernproperties.com

www.redfernhomes.com <http://www.redfernhomes.com/> 

www.redfernproperties.com

   _____  

From: Jean Fraser [mailto:JF@portlandmaine.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:31 PM
To: Jonathan Culley
Subject: Re: Harborview Townhouses ‑ Planning Board result
 
Jonathan
 
I see that Alex has responded regarding the process.  

 I have spoken to Barbara and we suggest that if you want to request
reconsideration of that condition that you send a letter to Barbara (or
e‑mail her) immediately to make the request so it can be included in the
legal notice of the agenda which goes in the paper this Friday July 1.

 You can follow up with a letter submitting the support material Alex
mentioned  ‑ which ideally we would need by July 5th in order to get staff
comments on it and get both into the packet.

 This morning Barbara and I have spoken with both Keith Gautreau and Tom
Errico (in anticipation of them needing to provide further comments to the
Board if you make this request) and I will telephone you this afternoon to
provide an update.

I  am out of the office tomorrow but Barbara is around if you want to discuss
further ‑   shes on 874 8699.Jean
 
6/29/2011 4:59 AM >>>

Jean, Barbara, and Alex:

We are deeply disappointed and extremely frustrated by the result of last
night's Planning Board meeting.  After six months of intense effort and
roughly $40,000 spent on the Level III Site Plan review alone, our project
is effectively halted.  We have spent a great deal of time thinking about
pedestrian access, and there is simply no way we can go forward without the
waiver.  We remain convinced that Harborview Townhouses is a thoughtful and
innovative project that will benefit the City of Portland, and we believe
that the sidewalk waiver is a very reasonable request.

Our greatest frustration is that we don't think we got a fair hearing.
Having a motion denied despite a strong three‑fourths majority is not
consistent with the intent of the 7‑member construct of the Planning Board.
A lone voice is not meant to derail a project.  And we are quite confident
that if the remaining members of the Planning Board had been present, there
would have been at least one (and perhaps three) voting in support of the
waiver.

I am very interested in your thoughts as to what options we have available.
Jean mentioned that we could potentially go back to the Planning Board to
request the waiver again, when the full Board is present.  This seems
reasonable, though I am concerned about timing.  Our plans contemplated
beginning construction this fall and that now seems in jeopardy.

I look forward to hearing from you on possible next steps.

Jonathan Culley

Redfern Homes LLC | Redfern Properties LLC

Cell: 207‑776‑9715

Office: 207‑221‑5746

Fax: 207‑221‑2822

jonathan@redfernproperties.com

www.redfernhomes.com <http://www.redfernhomes.com/> 

www.redfernproperties.com