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Restoration of York's Atlantic House gains approval

By JASON GRAY
Democrat Staff Writer
February 22, 2006

The Atlantic House has been dubbed an eyesore in York Beach by those seeking to restore it. On Tuesday, the Planning Board approved redeveloping the 1888 building to feature a 230-seat restaurant, retail shops, and residential units.
(Gray/Democrat photo)

YORK, Maine — The restoration of the 118-year-old Atlantic House in downtown York Beach from a rundown, four-story building to retail shops, a 230-seat restaurant and residential units is set to begin.

Don Rivers, owner of the York based Rivers by the Sea real estate development company, is developer of the project that received Planning Board approval on Tuesday. The plan for the Atlantic House, located on Beach and Main Street, calls for five retail shops on the first floor, a restaurant on the second floor, and nine residential units on the top two floors.

While the project has been approved, Rivers must still provide a few more pieces of information to the board, including making sure abutters are comfortable with the plan and that the York Beach Fire Department and Department of Public Works agree aspects of the project are safe.

Rivers said he hopes to begin construction soon, hoping to complete the project in August.

Rivers is also developer of the Kearsarge House, another 1888 building located about 300 feet away from Atlantic House. The restoration of the Kearsarge will include 4-5 retail shops and a restaurant on the first floor, and 19 residential units on floors 2-4.

The Atlantic House is currently owned by Rivers daughter, Lorri O'Brien, whereas the Kearsarge is owned by Harold Anderson, a longtime business owner and operator in York Beach. They will manage and own both buildings as a joint condominium association.

The board also agreed to allow the residential units to be rented as hotel suites until developers obtain the growth permits needed to convert them to condominiums or apartments.

Final approval for the project nearly failed because of issues dealing with a lack of parking. While the initial plan called for 157 spots to accommodate those living in the apartments or suites, using the retail shops and restaurant, and employees, the developers wanted the board to waive the parking requirement to nine. Under the York Beach zoning ordinances, the board has the authority to reduce parking.

Four Planning Board members were present at Tuesday's meeting. Board members Glenn Farrell and Richard Smith spoke against a total reduction in parking, believing enough spaces do not exist in the public parking areas to accommodate customers and employees of the restaurant and shops.

Those involved in the development said parking has not been an issue for years, primarily because there has been little development for more than a decade. Prior to the meeting, they had agreed to operate the restaurant only during evening hours, as a means to appease parking concerns during the day.

"The reason we bought it is we have our livelihood in the beach, and we were afraid people would stop going to the beach," said Rivers, noting how the abandoned building has become an "eyesore" in the downtown beach area. "This is the only solution we can see, the only way this building can be saved for the beach."

Rivers is a member of the York Beach Renaissance Committee, a group of York Beach business owners and residents working on a plan to revitalize that area. Added parking areas or facilities have been discussed as part of the committee's future efforts.

Board Chairman Barrie Munroe and Vice Chair Glen MacWilliams, agreed the project would only serve to benefit the future of York Beach. Munroe said the board had to be "bold and take a chance," in approving the project.

Farrell and Smith eventually conceded to the parking restrictions. The vote was 4-0 to allow the parking requirements to be dropped to nine. Farrell said he would "go on the record" as saying he does not think there will be enough parking to allow the restaurant to be successful.