14 months ago
BANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- The debate over Plum Creek's proposal to build a resort on Moosehead Lake is entering its fourth year.
The developer's plan, which hs been altered significantly since the original proposal, is now in the hands of Maine's Land Use Regulation Commission.
The commission is responsible for overseeing development of the state's townships, plantations and unorganized areas.
LURC is meeting Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ramada Inn in Bangor. Tuesday afternoon the commission heard closing arguments from supporters and opponents of the plan.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine opposes Plum Creeks plan to build on Lily Bay and the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake.
Brownie Carson said it's time LURC commissioners send a message to Plum Creek.
"From the outset Plum Creek has proposed too much development in the wrong places," Carson explained. "Lily Bay is the worst."
Carson said the developers plan to build 440 housing units at Lily Bay would threaten the habitat of already endangered animal species, such as the Canada Lynx.
Luke Muzzy of Plum Creek said the company has made several concessions in planning the project and now it is in the hands of the commissioners.
"I found out early on there are people who really support it and people who, no matter what we do, we won't make them happy," Muzzy said before Tuesdays hearing. "Frankly, there are parts of the plan we have concerns with and we're hoping at the end of the day it works."
At the conclusion of this weeks meetings LURC is expected to offer Plum Creek additional changes that the developer will have to make in order to improve its chances of gaining the commissions approval.
Plum Creek officials say they don't expect the commission to hold a final vote until next year.
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