HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-04 Community and Economic Development Committee MinutesCOMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, lune 4,1997 ®5:00 PM
MINUTES
COMMITTEE
PRESENT: Councilor lames Tyler, Chair
Councilor Michael Aube
Councilor Joseph Baknoci
STAFF
PRESENT: Councilor Nicht Farnham
COWC1Ier Den Soucy
Bdward A. Barrett, City Manager
Rodney G. McKay, Director of Community & Economic Development
Stephen Bolduc, Economic Development Officer
Dan Wellington, Code Enforcement Officer
John Lord, Planning Officer
OTHERS
PRESENT: Ownem of 77 Railroad Street, Bangor
Cynthia Cavanaugh, DBA
Mazc Berlin, Bangor Center Corporation
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Councilor James Tyler at 5:05 PM.
Councilor Nicht Farnham sat in for Councilor Michael Aube unfit he arrived leer on in the
meeting. -'
A last minme unscheduled item was introduced to be taken up as follows:
1TFT4 q1a-Amending Docking Rates at Bangor Waterhont
Jim Ring presented a Council Order to amend the current docking rates at the Bangor
Waterfiont. In March of 1997 the Council did approve revised docking rates- weekly rare rod a
prime season and full season. Recently, several requests have been received for a monthly rate
by potential new boaters. This was discussed at the Harbor Committee on lune 3. They
recommended establishing a monddy rate of $110 plus $14 per foot trust length over 20 feet.
Staff recommends approval.
A motion was made and seconded to approve this request as presented. So voted.
ITEM 42- Consideration of Recommendation m City Council for Acquisidon of 77 Railroad
Shat
Rod McKay stated that this item relates to the last remaining property on the Bangor
waterfront.
Staff is seeking audedmtion m notify owners of this property that the City is interested
in acquiring the building; will have the property appraised and make an offer to Nem based on
the appraisal. If the offu is accepted, Nen an agreement will be negotiated to acquire the
property. Staff recommends that the Committee authorize procedure on this item.
A motion was made and seconded for Staff to proceed as requested. So voted.
ITEM k3 -The Downtown Bangor Association- Cynthia Cavanaugh, President of the DBA, has
requested a meeting with the Committee to discuss the City's policy reining to
temporary food vendors in the downtown mea
Dan Wellington, Code Enforcement Officer, reviewed this request for the Committee
stating than Cynthia Cavanaugh of the DBA am requested that the City's temporary food vendors
policy be amended W allow the downtown businesses to have a popwm machine in the
downtown during the summer months.
Dan further stated that in 1992, Council Order 92-211 was approved whereby sidewalk
sales of food in the downtown were prohibited, except n Pickering Square and in conjunction
with special events. Dan has related to Cynthia that if this is amended for one organization it has
to be done for all. Dan further stand drat there is an average of 4-5 requests per week in his
office for itinerant vendor licenses. Some of the reasons for the 1992 decision were due to
complaints non resouran operators in the downtown who felt that this was unfair competition
due to its high visibility; friendliness issues and tach being left around.
Cynthia Cavanabghpresentd her request to the Committee. As part of this effort, their
Logo would read "Keep Downtown Popping". The intent of use for Nis popwm machine would
be to use it at such events like the Noontime Concerts in Pickering Square and at the waterfront
Twilight Delight Concerts; also would like to use it on Saturdays in the downtown during the
summer months. This is anom-profit effort. The Downtown Meadows; are very much in favor
of this idea They would have an orgardzed volunteer group who would handle this effort.
Electricity would be required -The Pheruc two has offered their site for this use. If the can is
moved around to different locations (once the popcorn is popped) this would not require
electricity.
Discussion on the options available under a special event permit were dlsetssed.
Councilor Baldarri suggested that an ordinance be drafted limiting the number of outside cart
vendors per square foot of park space or sidewalk space, etc. Councilor Soucy suggested theta
public meeting be held to see if any downtown merchants (i.e. restaurant owners in pamcular)
have a problem with this concept
Staffwill draft appropriate language to reflect Nese proposed changes and get the
feelings of the downtown retail sector.
ITEM a4 -Maine P,nergy Propane, Ise. -Lease Agreement
This item was taken up at the last C&ED Committee meeting and is now brought back
for final consideration. The lease proposes to provide for relocation of a 30,000 gallon propane
tank to a and provided by the City on Union Street. This tank services the Westgate Mall and
the Airport Will. They will have the option of a 25-year lease after the 5-year renewable. The
anent agreement capnes September l st. Staffrecommends approval of this lease agreement as
preserved.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend this to Council for approval. Savored.
ITEM 41- Reautimrizefion to Bangor Center Municipal Development District fm the period
July 1, 1999 to lune 30,1998
Rod McKay reviewed this item for the Committee stating that the Bangor Center
Corporation's Vice President, Marc Berlin, and seventh other members of the Board were present
insupportofthis hem. This itemproposes to continue the districtwifioutamending the
boundaries as previously proposed and to also continue the special assessment rate at.53 per
$1,0011 valuation.
Question.$ were asked by the Committee regarding the previously proposed boundary
expansions - what is the rescan for this proposed expansion. Marc Berfin replied that currently
the boundary needs to be rationalized and thus, is somewhat arbitrary as to who is and is not
included. However, there is a strong some that the boundaries should not be expanded without
justifying the services that come with this. Until the .Bomd and the City can go to the businesses
in the proposed expanded areas with a list of services to be covered with the additional tax
assessment, it is the strong opinion that this should be postponed until such time. Because of the
ongoing events program which includes the waterfront park area, itjust seemed logical to include
the waterfront n part of the expanded development district.
The question before the Committee today is whether or not to continue the development
district m the downtown and to approve the Contract between the City and the Bangor Center
Corporation to tarty out the program and approve the budget. After some discussion, it was the
consensus of the Committee to continue the district as it currently is. Future discussion on
expansion of the boundaries can be taken up at another time when everyone contented can be
involved
A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval of this itan to the City
Council. So voted.
ITEM a5 -Code Enforcement Update
Rod McKay updated the Committee on the parking problem on Stillwater Ave. due to a
vendor's flea market business location- Dan Wellington has prepared two proposed ordinance
amendments- one would prohibit itinerant vendors all together and one would allow them to be
in a location for 45 days. Dan Wellington stood that in 1992 the Land Development Code was
amended specifically to allow this type of operation to exist. However, the economic times have
changed and it was not envisioned that such an operation as this one would come into existence.
Dan stated that the options are: I) to change the 45 days m anything the City would like;
or 2) abolish this section of the Land Development Code and go back to requiring that all
commocial entities that establish themselves on lots most meet the City's development
standards. The effect that Itis ruling would have on the adjacent small hot dog stood is that they
would be allowed to finish out this year, they would not be allowed back next year. The only
way they would be allowed to have a stand is as a permanent installation.
A motion was made and seconded w direct Staff to draft the appropriate changes to the
Land Development Cade as discussed. So voted.
ITEM #6 - Planning Update
John Lord updated the Committee on recent items approved by the Planting Board. He
also discussed the parking regulations on Stillwater Avenue and the Mall area Staff is
recommending that on Stillwater Avenue (as far out as Longview beyond Chase Road) and (in
the other direction) to Broadway no parking be allowed on both sides with the exception of the
curb cut adjacent to a "Mom & Pop- store at Grove comer of Grove & Stillwater Ave. A similar
situation on North Hildreth, Bennett and Rim Streets in Heritage Industrial Park will be handled
as well.
ITEM M] -Economic Development Update
a. Lease Amendment with International Paper- 39 Florida Avenue
Steve Bolduc presorted to the Committee an amendment to a lease agreement with
Intematioval Paper Company. They currently lease a portion of Building 42U at 39 Florida
Avenue and would like to lease an additional 201 sq. ft at the same raw Per square foot.
The Board of Directors of the BanAir Corporation recently met and have recommended
approval of Us amendment to the C&ED Committee.
A motion was made and seconded by approve this amendment as presented. So voted.
b. Executive Session - Land Disposition
- A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session to take up the
matter of land disposition. So voted.
With no further business a hand, the meeting was adjourned m approximately 6:30 PM.