Gorham Town Councilor David Willis speaks Tuesday during contract zone talks. From left are Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak, Council Chair Suzanne Phillips, Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors, Willis, and Town Councilor Janet Kuech. Robert Lowell / American Journal

Gorham Town Council Tuesday OK’d a contract zone that would extend public water and sewer to a proposed development at the former golf course on McLellan Road.

A divided council approved the contract zone, 4-3, with councilors Lou Simms, Phil Gagnon and chair Suzanne Phillips opposed.

Nick Troiano, of Troiano Properties, seeks to build Gorham Fairways, a mixed-use development with 824 multifamily dwellings that include townhouses, apartments and condos on 170 acres. The approved contract zone allows lots for 64 single-family houses, duplexes or tiny houses to be sold upfront to pay for the extension of water and sewer.

Troiano declined an American Journal request for comment Tuesday following the vote.

The contract zone is needed because single-family homes are not allowed under current zoning in the South Gorham Crossroads District. The council decision followed last month’s Planning Board recommendation for a contract zone approval.

Tuesday’s Town Council action only approves the contract zone and the development will still require Planning Board review.

Troiano, in the lobby outside council chambers, did indicate the sewer would be extended from Libby Avenue, cross New Portland Road, and run along Brackett Road to McLellan Road.

Community Development Director Tom Poirier said language in the contract zone stipulates water and sewer must be installed.

Town Councilor Seven Siegel said, “I support this because it’s going to get us water and sewer.”

But Gagnon said he doesn’t see a large-scale benefit of extending water and sewer.

Opponents of the project cited increased traffic congestion and impact on schools and town services.

Jim Means, a 30-year Gorham resident, said the contract zone language does not include provisions for rebuilding Brackett and McLellan roads damaged by construction vehicles. Means said it also destroys a large portion of the state’s Narragansett Game Sanctuary and questioned why approval is being rushed.

“I urge you to vote ‘no’ on this contract zone,” Means said.

Another resident, Pamela Milliken Garza, wondered how the town services would absorb 900 more homes and add 1,800 more cars to roads. “What’s the vision for Gorham?” she said. “This golf course will look like Spring Street in Westbrook.”

And George Vercelli, a former council candidate, didn’t see any benefit the town would receive from the contract zone and didn’t think the language was ready for approval.

Simms favored exploring other avenues of paying for water and sewer. He advocated delaying the contract zone decision for a month, but a motion to table failed.

Troiano said the development would be built out over 15 years.