Rockland — The Rockland Planning Board is expected to hold its first review next month of the formal plan for a regional nursing home off Old County Road.

The formal application was filed Feb. 9 with the Rockland code enforcement office.

The Rockland Planning Board will meet Tuesday, March 2.

The proposal calls for the construction of a 69,100-square-foot complex at 41 Cranberry Isles Drive. The estimated project cost is $19.5 million. The single-story nursing home being developed by Sandy River that would serve 90 to 110 residents. The new nursing home would replace the 84-bed Knox Center in Rockland and 39 nursing care beds at Quarry Hill in Camden.

The Rockland City Council gave unanimous approval Sept. 14 to a contract zone for the project to proceed. The project was backed by many people, but was opposed by neighbors who said it was out of character with a residential neighborhood, would worsen traffic and would create noise and light problems.

Coastal Healthcare Alliance — which operates Pen Bay Medical Center, the Knox Center and Quarry Hill — have said operating the Knox Center is not financially sustainable. The new home would have private rooms, which residents and families want.

The Rockland Planning Board toured the property Nov. 30.