Local rules mean less housing at old Brewer vacuum shop
Another example of errant regulation exacerbating the housing crisis. From the Bangor Daily News:
A former vacuum cleaner store in Brewer sat vacant for years before a developer converted it into a duplex.
It’s an example of the type of infill development more Maine communities have been encouraged to embrace in recent years to add housing options and revitalize downtowns. But the developer, former state Sen. Matt Pouliot, says he could have doubled the number of units constructed if it weren’t for local code restrictions that held him back.
Pouliot, who runs an Augusta real estate firm, acquired the property on Brewer’s South Main street for $140,000 in early 2024 and invested $195,000 to gut and transform it into two one-bedroom apartments. When he reached out to the city about adding another two units, he was told his request would trigger a lengthy review even though it’s in a commercial area.
“It’s a very difficult process, not streamlined,” Pouliot said. “The ordinances in place are not really set up to just allow for more housing units to be added.”