HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-20 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Monday, August 20, 2018
City Council Chambers
Meeting Minutes
City Councilors Present: Davitt, Graham, Nealley, Nichols, Perry, Sprague,
Tremble, Weston
City Staff Present: Bolduc, Collins, Conlow, Emery, Nicklas, Wallace
Chair Nealley called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Extension of Lease Agreement with Vicky L. Trundy
2. Disposition of 419 Essex Street, 675 No. French Street and 31
Merrimac Street by RFP
Councilor Nichols moved both Consent Agenda items, seconded by Councilor
Davitt. Vote unless doubted, no doubt.
REGULAR AGENDA
3. Review of Property Maintenance Issues
Director Emery provided an introduction regarding the Review of Property
Maintenance Issues, and citizen Tuesday Tucciarone from Maple Street spoke.
A. House numbers must be clearly visible from the street
Okay to move to 4” numbering.
B. A path for first responders to reach inside of the house must be clear of any
obstruction, including vegetation
Okay as is.
C. Vegetation cannot impede, creep or invade on any sidewalk
Okay as is.
D. The maintenance of the strip of land between the street and the sidewalk
is the responsibility of the property owner
Add mowing to the ordinance.
E. Fall leaves cannot be left on the property. This is especially a health issue
here in Maine where ticks are a very real health threat and leaves are a
common habitat of ticks
Okay as is.
F. Upholstered furniture commonly belonging on the inside of the residence is
not allowed on the outside
Suggestion to have all city employees reporting these issues, will
research options.
G. Tree branches must be trimmed and maintained “x” inches above the
ground
Okay as is. Checklist is a good idea. Tuesday provided examples.
H. Shrubs trimmed and maintained
Okay as is. Also can be on checklist.
I. No blighting allowed
Okay as is, but look at vacant and abandoned ordinance for potential
improvements.
4. Discussion – Zoning and Shooting Ranges
Assistant City Solicitor Nicklas introduced the discussion. Where should the
shooting ranges/zones be, and what conditions should apply?
Jane Varney, neighbor, objected to calling a shooting range a constitutionally
protected thing. Sounds of gun fire heard from her residence. Zoning ordinance
for the City says RR&A, residential and agriculture. Spirit of the law, letter of the
law, never imagined a gun range would be allowed near her residence. Not
enough safe rural area to have gun range/s.
Committee inquired about the role of the Firearms Discharge Committee.
Tina Pray, neighbor, can hear the shooting at her home off Finson Road. Machine
gun fire makes her heart race.
Council Chair Sprague thinks that RR&A makes the most sense with the addition
of setbacks and other provisions.
Rob Pryblo, neighbor, is not opposed to firearms or ranges. His only concern is
indoor vs. outdoor ranges. He agrees about the concerns with outdoor, focusing
on the sound. Suggests visiting the Holden range.
Phil Roberts, states that the agricultural area isn’t so much agricultural anymore,
and it’s more residential. Doesn’t think that an outdoor shooting range belongs in
a neighborhood, and doubts that there is enough space in Bangor left for outdoor
ranges. He suggests an indoor range only in a commercial zone. Having an
outdoor range in the Firearms Discharge Zone 2 does not make sense.
Assistant City Solicitor Nicklas will draft some ordinance recommendations to
present to full City Council.
5. Marijuana Establishment Setbacks
Director Emery provided information regarding Marijuana establishment setbacks.
Council Chair Sprague - building to building or reduce and add a vegetation buffer?
Wants to facilitate it. Committee Chair Nealley agrees with Councilor Sprague.
Councilor Graham does not want to agree to this for 1 particular business, is not
in favor. Councilor Nichols prefers building to building. Councilor Perry prefers
building to building.
Councilor Nichols moved changing the setback for retail stores to 300’ building to
building, rather than property line, seconded by Councilor Davitt. Vote unless
doubted, no doubt.
6. ORDINANCE, Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code,
and Chapter 177, Marijuana, by Adding Provisions Regarding
Medical Marijuana Establishments
Assistant City Solicitor Nicklas introduced the item. Councilor Graham would like
to look at signage for both retail vs. medical.
Councilor Nichols moved regular agenda item, seconded by Councilor Davitt. Vote
unless doubted, no doubt.
7. Electronic Signs
Councilors are interested in seeing what the setbacks would need to be to
accommodate the change at Pray’s to allow an electronic sign. Staff will look at
and map out that area. No other action at this time.
8. City of Bangor Storytelling Video Campaign
Director Emery presented the City of Bangor Storytelling Video Campaign, and that
Sutherland Weston was selected as the marketing agency for this campaign.
Council Chair Sprague supports the video campaign.
Councilor Davitt moved staff recommendation to work with Sutherland Weston
Marketing Communications, seconded by Councilor Nichols. Vote unless doubted,
no doubt.
Meeting adjourned at 8:29 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Melissa B. Fongemie
Admin. Asst.
C&ED