WATERVILLE $ Developers who want to turn Gilman Street School into 33 affordable apartments say they will wait for the results of an impact study before finalizing their plans.

Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative, of Portland, told the Planning Board Monday he initially sought final approval for his site plan as early as Monday but has decided to extend that timetable.

The impact study was requested by neighbors of the school who are concerned about how increased population will affect the area in terms of noise, traffic, home values and other issues.

Bunker said he met last week with neighbors and city officials who are part of the Neighborhood Study Committee and they had a good meeting. He said his original deadline of Nov. 6 to get an application in to the Maine Housing Authority for the project has been extended to Nov. 26.

"That gives us basically, 20 more days to work with," he said.

Bill Najpauer and Sarah Flaks of Renaissance Planning Associates also met with the Neighborhood Study Committee and the city is considering hiring them to do the impact study, Bunker said. He said Developers Collaborative would share part of the cost.

The current zone allows for only 28 apartments. Since Bunker was not asking for final site plan approval Monday, he and Planning Board Chairman David Geller suggested the board, developer and neighbors talk informally about the project.

Bunker said he thinks that once results of the impact study are in, recommendations will be made to city councilors regarding changes to the zone. Changes could be made on landscape, traffic and other details. Councilors make the final decision on zone changes.

Planner Paul Mitchell said he saw a study showing that only 39 parking spaces are needed for the project and not the 88 previously thought.

"It was very favorable in your favor, quite frankly," he told Bunker. "If that is the case, I would love to see a little bit more green area in lieu of the parking, which is not required."