Concerns remain over proposed development in Portlands Bayside neighborhood [Video]

Members of the Portland Planning Board appeared divided Tuesday night at a workshop on a proposed mixed-income housing development in Bayside, some saying they are concerned about the project’s location and others countering that the housing is desperately needed.

The project, a collaboration between Avesta Housing and Reveler Development, would create specialized housing for chronically homeless people and include affordable and market-rate apartments for a total of 96 units. The development would consist of three buildings on Cedar, Lancaster and Oxford streets at the site of the former Oxford Street Shelter.

Six people had submitted written comments expressing concerns about the project, including City Councilor-elect Sarah Michniewicz, who will represent the neighborhood. She said the site plan doesn’t include enough green space in a neighborhood already lacking greenery, and also took issue with the location.

“(The location) remains counterproductive to the goal of providing stability for tenants exiting homelessness” because …