GORHAM – The handling of special zoning approvals to promote commercial development in South Gorham has become routine business for town boards.

Gorham has been deluged with requests for contract zones along County Road since approving one last year for developer Hans Hansen. Last week, the Gorham Town Council approved five contract zone requests that had received Planning Board recommendations.

In a Planning Board public hearing Monday, there was no public opposition to requests for more contract zones that require final approval from the Town Council.

“We have four new contract zones going back to the council.” Planning Board Chairman Edward Zelmanow said in Monday’s meeting.

And, there’s yet another contract zone in the pipeline. Last week, the council forwarded one additional request to planners to review and offer a recommendation.

Requests for contract zones heard this week by the Planning Board were from Kurt Albert, Chandler and Christine Bearce, James Bruni, and Donna Burke. The Planning Board voted 6-1 (Corey Theriault opposed) to recommend each of the four requests.

Once approved by the Town Council, which also holds public hearings, the contract zones would allow a variety of businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores with or without gasoline sales, repair services, banks,and professional offices.

In another agenda item, the Gorham Planning Board also heard details in a preliminary review for Bartlett Woods, a five-lot subdivision on Alberta Way proposed by Paul Gore.

The development would be off Bartlett Road and the project engineer, Andrew Morrell of BH2M, presented the proposal for Gore.

An issue involving an easement and location of a neighbor’s septic system arose about extending public water service from New Portland Road to the proposed development. A lawyer represents the neighbor, Donald and Eileen Mayo of New Portland Road.

Theriault wanted confirmation whether the septic system could be relocated on the Mayo property.

“Technically, there’s no water for this site,” Zelmanow said about the proposed development.

Another neighbor, Diana Libby of Bartlett Road, voiced concerns about runoff water and traffic. The Planning Board is scheduling a site walk to view the proposed development.