HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-02 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 @ 5:15 PM
City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Davitt, Fournier, Graham, Schaefer, Sprague,
Yacoubagha (by Zoom).
City Staff Present: Collette, Krieg, Laurie, Wallace.
Chair Sprague called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M.
1. UPDATE ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Development Director Krieg reported still on-target to bring finalized
Comprehensive Plan to City Council at May 22nd meeting. Advisory Committee
reviewed and may provide some edits for inclusive language.
Lengthy discussion of addendum addressing input from health & academic
institutions. Chair Sprague felt strongly that plan could not be finalized without
more input from these institutions and without more assurance that members of
these communities would be engaged with the plan's actions once finalized.
Members Schaefer and Davitt and Development Director Krieg felt finalizing plan
should not be delayed by this piece and that it is normal and acceptable to have
multiple planning & strategy efforts occurring simultaneously.
It was agreed that Development Director Krieg would follow up with members of
health & academic institutions one more time.
2. UPDATE ON CDBG PROGRAM
Development Director Krieg reported that consolidated plan had been reviewed
and would be moving forward to City Council meeting on May 8tn
Chair Sprague asked how these funds could best be used to leverage other grant
funds. City Manager Laurie and Development Director Krieg discussed use of
funds and that more would be known following May 8t" City Council meeting.
Development Director Krieg also noted that new Development Officer has been
hired and would like to be part of this discussion. Confirmed on-track to make fund
use recommendations by end of June.
3. UPDATE ON CODE CHANGES
a. Yard Sale Permits
Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Wallace presented to the committee.
Recommended that current yard sale permit requirement be discontinued.
Definitions of standard yard sale vs. perpetual yard sale were discussed. All
agreed that if permit requirement removed, these definitions would need to
be clearly laid out for both residents and City staff.
Chair Sprague moved to recommend the measure to City Council. Member
Yacoubagha seconded the motion — all in favor, none opposed.
b. Allowance for Higher Density Housing in S&PS and G&CS Districts
Planning Analyst Anja Collette reported that two new uses are being looked
at for the S&PS and GC&S districts, which primarily include the areas
around Bangor Mall, parts of Broadway, industrial area on outer Hammond
Street, and Union Street areas particularly around the airport. One
considered use is high density residential; second considered use is mixed
commercial & residential as permitted by right. Currently, high density
residential is not an allowed use in these zones, and mixed commercial &
residential is allowed only as conditional use. If these new uses were to be
allowed, all development applications would still need to be approved by the
Planning Board.
Committee discussed need for more zoning for residential use, increasing
market for mixed use zoning, and possible concerns re: sprawl.
c. LD2003
Planning Analyst Collette reported that primary zoning changes proposed
are: (1) Urban Residence District 1 (URD-1)would allow up to four units per
lot. The minimum lot area for 1 unit would be 5,OOOsqft, increasing by 5,000
for each additional unit, up to 20,OOOsqft for a 4-unit. (2) Low Density
Residential District (LDR)would have a lot minimum of 12,OOOsqft and allow
for 6,OOOsqft per additional unit, so a minimum of 30,OOOsqft would be
needed for a 4-unit. (3) The provisions for Rural Residence & Agricultural
District (RR&A) depend on whether there's water and sewer and whether
there's an existing dwelling or not. Wanted to stick with minimum state
requirements to reduce sprawl and keep the rural areas more rural. Can
have up to 4 units if it's within the growth boundary and has those services.
(4) A bonus would be provided to developers providing affordable housing
— if a certain percentage of the units on their property are made affordable
to low to moderate income people, the developer can have up to 2.5 times
the zone's base density. Planning Analyst Collette notes that there is no
state requirement for this percentage, but notes that it has been proposed
that 51% be made the requirement as it is the current percentage used for
CDBG properties. (5) For ADUs, LD2003 will require that they now be
allowed in the front of a property and that the city cannot require additional
parking for these units.
Chair Sprague expressed concern that there will be significant community
pushback on these changes.
Member Schaefer moved to go into executive session to discuss property &
economic development. Member Davitt seconded the motion — all in favor, none
opposed.
Meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Pritchard
Admin. Asst.
C&ED