ROCHESTER — Rochester Town Meeting approved the 1.39 acre expansion of the proposed Rochester Crossroads development on Monday, May 19.

Development plans from 2022 stated that the lot would host 208 units. With the proposed expansion passed at Town Meeting, the lot is now able to accommodate a maximum of 256 units including multi-family apartments, town houses and commercial spaces.

The project was initially proposed in 2019, with construction delays attributed to “changing economic conditions,” according to developer Kenneth Steen of Steen Realty.

Five years later, ground still has not been broken on the development.

The previous development plans were “really not financially viable” anymore due to increased interest rates and the cost of building materials, according to Arnold Johnson, Chair of the Planning Board.

With the increased number of units and new plans to build town houses, the project can continue with lessened financial restraint.

Two-hundred twelve units are considered affordable housing, which will allow the town to surpass the state’s requirement for 10% of housing to be affordable once the project is complete.

Rochester will also receive approximately $250,000 in annual tax revenue once the development is complete and additional one-time funds of $100,000 from the state, according to Town Administrator Cameron Durant.

“It puts the town in the driver’s seat for future major development, and I think it’ll just really redevelop that entire corner,” said Michaela Shoemaker, Town Planner.

With approval from Town Meeting confirmed, Steen Realty and Development Corporation will meet with the Planning Board to have an informal meeting to discuss their construction and design plans moving forward.

“After that, it’ll just be a matter of them moving forward and applying to the planning board,” said Shoemaker.