BIDDEFORD — The Planning Board granted unanimous approval Wednesday night of two construction projects set to begin this summer.

The board granted conditional approval to the Biddeford Housing Authority to develop a three-unit subdivision with an attached community center at 73 Bacon St. It will also make recommendations to the City Council for a contract zone on Wood Island to allow for the construction of a septic system there.

Approval for the Bacon Street subdivision was granted with conditions, including waivers for both parking and a full-site inspection.

Board member Matthew Boutet said by ordinance, the subdivision would require six additional parking spaces. However, the board determined there was adequate parking between the street and adjacent lots.

Boutet also said the project does not require a full-site inspection because it is an existing structure.

The board raised concerns about waste management for the subdivision, as the community center’s commercial status would make the subdivision ineligible for city trash pick-up. Board member Jennifer Burke also raised concerns about recycling.

“We’re working on trying to set that up for the school portion,” Guy Gagnon, executive director of the Biddeford Housing Authority replied, adding that he has spoken to Casella Waste Systems and a local compost business about both trash and recycling. “It’s just a matter of where we should locate it.”

Gagnon was hopeful construction on the subdivision would begin in a month or two .

An amendment for a contract zone to construct a septic system for Wood Island, which includes an historic lighthouse, will now go to City Council for final approval.

Brad Coupe, chair of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse, said a septic system would allow for a summer keeper to reside on the premises. The keeper would provide nature and habitat related programs to the public, and oversee the lighthouse during times when it is not open for tours.

“That presence will be great for welcoming visitors,” Coupe said. “It keeps the lighthouse accessible to the public even when our tours are not going on.”

Wood Island Lighthouse is open to tours three days a week during the summer on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

FOWIL has been in the process of restoring the lighthouse to its 1906 condition. One of the projects includes eventual construction of a one-story barn, which would be a replica of the original.

“One of (FOWIL’s) missions is to preserve and restore Wood Island Lighthouse,” Coupe said. “For the last 13 years, we’ve been on that mission, and we hope the work that is going on now, that we complete that before the summer is out.”

Coupe expressed interest in opening up the lighthouse for overnight stays in what would be a three-bedroom house that could accommodate up to six people.

FOWIL still has to secure approval from the U.S. Coast Guard pending installation of the septic system to allow overnight stays, because the Coast Guard has ownership over the lighthouse and maintains its navigational aids.

Planning Board members agreed the septic system would be worthy of a contract zone, as it would add to the historical significance of the lighthouse and increase travel to and from Wood Island.

“I’m sad you have to come in here just for a septic system,” said board member Richard Potvin. “It seems like you’re making a worse system better, and it’s a shame you have to go through (this process).”

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].