ROCHESTER — A senior housing development planned for Plumb Corner, first proposed in 2018, is nearing Planning Board approval after a series of setbacks. 

At the Feb. 12 Rochester Planning Board meeting, REPurpose Properties and JC Engineering presented their plan, largely unchanged, for 22 duplexes. The development would include a total of 44 2-bedroom condominiums for those 55 years of age and older.

Each unit would be serviced with a private sewer and be tied into public electricity, underground gas, and water, which developers hope to get from Marion. If developers are unable to get water from Marion, they will have to negotiate that with the town.

The project was complicated in 2018 by long-standing drainage issues at Plumb Corner, as stormwater runoff from the Plumb Corner Mall was draining into wetlands. Now, Plumb Corner has its own drainage system. 

JC Engineering has developed a drainage system for the condominium complex that will drain stormwater runoff to multiple basins on the property. The condominium association will be responsible for maintaining the drainage system in perpetuity.

The Planning Board is set to approve the final plans for the development at its next meeting, but plans to only allow REPurpose Properties to construct the new road and infrastructure to start. Once that is completed to the building inspector’s satisfaction, building permits would be released. 

The board is also requiring the developer to secure bonds so that if the developer stops work, the town will have the funds to mitigate the impact of the unfinished work.