By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The Town of Naples hired the firm that will act as a third, impartial party overseeing the development of the subdivision that was once a golf course.

Per town ordinance, the town is required to select an engineering firm that will act on the town’s behalf to assure that codes are followed during subdivision development. Also, it is the developer who is required to pay for these services by putting money in escrow for this purpose.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen hired Gorrill Palmer Consulting Engineers, Inc., to oversee the development of the Brandy Crossing Subdivision, located off Route 114. This is the property where the Naples Golf & Country Club was located. The golf course went out of business in December 2017.  

Brandy Crossing Subdivision is being developed by Paul Hollis, who owns Great Lots of Maine. The Naples Planning Board granted both preliminary approval last spring and final approval a few weeks ago. However, an abutter filed an appeal; and the subdivision plans are going before the Naples Appeals Board.

Despite recent developments, the hiring of a third party firm is a necessity.

“This is for the oversight of the development of the subdivision. This is a third party that we contract to watch the development of the subdivision,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

It is important to have this in place since larger subdivisions have public infrastructure such as streets with storm water drainage.

Hawley said that the developer pays for this service. About 3% of the total construction cost is set aside in escrow to cover the engineering consultant hired by the town.

Someone on the board asked if any of lots had already been sold.

Hawley said he heard that the sale of lots is still in the negotiation phase.

“There was a planning board meeting a few weeks ago, and they got final approval,” he said. “An abutter filed an appeal, so it is hung up in appeals.”