GORHAM – A plan to demolish a home to add parking in Gorham Village stalled Tuesday when the Town Council opted for more study.

The council unanimously decided to send a proposal that would have demolished the house at 21 Main St. to the Capital Improvements Committee. The committee will take a fresh look at options for future use of the site and another town-owned property on Preble Street and how the sites fit in with the downtown’s future.

Michael Phinney, vice chairman of the council, said in Tuesday’s meeting that Gorham Village, home for a college and the downtown, lacks appropriate parking.

“We have to do something,” Phinney said.

Earlier this year, the Gorham Town Council, with an eye on increasing parking and improving future downtown traffic circulation, approved buying two homes in Gorham Village – 21 Main St. for $169,900 and 10 Preble St. for $239,900.

Both properties are on the south side of Main Street.

The 21 Main St. site would accommodate nine parking spaces, according to town information. The house, built in 1827, sits on a .11-acre site, according to tax records. Town Councilor John Pressey called the lot a “postage stamp” size.

This week’s council action that delayed demolition of the house followed a presentation by Arthur Handman, chairman of the Gorham Economic Development Corp. Handman said the board, which conducted a recent survey of residents about parking, found that there appeared to be a lack of parking on the north side of Main Street.

Handman listed the board’s findings:

• Lack of parking on the northeast and northwest side of Main Street in Gorham Village.

• Gorham Village is not pedestrian friendly.

• The buildings recently acquired by the town at 21 Main St. and 10 Preble St. do not appear to be the immediate solution to the parking problem.

The development corporation board recommended the town work with the Maine Department of Transportation to identify and address pedestrian safety at the intersection of routes 25 and 114, to improve pedestrian safety, and making Cross Street, which links Main and Church streets, one way with parking on one side of that street.

The development corporation’s recommendations also included changing signalization and erecting warnings such as barrels in the pedetrian walkway.

Handman said 88 percent of 93 people responding in a survey of residents indicated more parking is needed on the North side of Main Street. Handman said 75 percent of those polled felt pedestrian safety is an issue in Gorham Village.

“That’s one of the busiest intersections in the state,” Town Councilor Matthew Robinson said about where routes 25 and 114 cross in Gorham Village.

Pressey said pedestrian safety could be eased in the village if a future plan to link the Gorham bypass with South Portland became a reality.

“We’re planning for the future, not for this snapshot in time,” Pressey said.

The item to demolish the home at 21 Main St. drew some public opposition. Jim Means of Beatrice Drive, citing Handman’s report, urged the council to vote down the demolition proposal. Alita Landry of Preble Street asked the council to reconsider the need (for parking).

Tuesday’s agenda item asked for $18,500 to demolish the former home at 21 Main St. Town Manager David Cole recommended upping the amount to $21,000. The town didn’t have a figure for construction of a parking lot.

Before making a decision to raze the house, Robinson favored first learning the costs of paving the property for parking.

“I’m not ready to vote on this tonight,” Robinson said.

Town Councilor Sherrie Benner wants to maintain village charm and said razing 21 Main St. would leave a “gaping hole” downtown.

Utilities at 21 Main St. have been disconnected for the winter and the town won’t heat the vacant house.

“I think we should let the building sit” until they have a better idea of a plan, Pressey said.

On Tuesday, the Gorham Town Council delayed a decision to demolish this town-owned property at 21 Main St. The site has been eyed for a potential parking lot, but a council committee will explore options for a future use.