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Council adopts zoning changes on homeless-shelter rules and other items; multiple measures pass 7–0
Summary
Lewiston City Council approved a package of amendments to the zoning code and related items, including changes to definitions and conditional‑use criteria for homeless shelters. A separate amendment to remove a 250‑foot park buffer failed. Several consent items and a live-entertainment permit also passed.
At its meeting following the workshops, the Lewiston City Council took final votes on a series of land‑use and administrative items. The council approved multiple amendments to Appendix A of the zoning and land‑use code concerning homeless-shelter definitions, the official map, district regulations, conditional-use review criteria and the No Name Pond Conservation Overlay District. The council also approved routine business items, a special-amusement permit and minutes.
Votes at a glance
- Minutes of Jan. 7, 2025: Approved (motion moved by Councilor Chittum; second by Councilor Glenn). Outcome: approved, vote tally 7–0.
- Consent agenda (appointments to boards/committees; municipal quitclaim deeds for 242 Oak Street and 25 Peter Boulevard; appointments to Lewiston area public health committee): Approved, outcome 7–0.
- Special amusement permit (Midtown Athletic Club, 875 Lisbon Street): Approved, outcome 7–0.
- Amendment to Appendix A, Article 2 (definitions) — revise definition of homeless shelter: Final passage approved, outcome 7–0.
- Amendment to Appendix A, Official Map — eliminate homeless-shelter overlay district: Final passage approved, outcome 7–0.
- Amendment to Appendix A, Article 4 (establishment of districts) — eliminate homeless-shelter overlay district: Final passage approved, outcome 7–0.
- Amendment to Appendix A, Article 10 (conditional uses) — add review criteria for conditional-use permits for homeless shelters (including a clarified minimum square footage per person): Final passage approved, outcome 7–0. (Councilor Chittum’s proposed wording change to the ordinance — specifying a 250‑foot buffer from city parks measured property line to property line — was considered as an amendment and failed by a roll call vote of 2–5.)
- Amendment to Appendix A, Article 11 (district regulations) — identify additional districts where homeless shelters are allowed and remove the homeless-shelter overlay district: Final passage approved, outcome 7–0.
- Amendment regarding No Name Pond Conservation Overlay District (Article 11): Final passage approved, outcome 7–0.
Several motions were moved, seconded and approved by roll-call votes. Where roll-call entries listed only ward positions, the council recorded a unanimous 7–0 tally on the noted final-passage ordinances. The one contested council action was the failed amendment to remove the park buffer language; that amendment failed on a roll call recorded as 2 in favor and 5 opposed.
What changed and next steps
The adopted amendments remove the previously designated homeless-shelter overlay district and instead amend base district regulations and conditional-use criteria so that shelter siting is regulated by conditional-use review in specified zoning districts. The council included a review criterion that specifies at least 50 square feet per person for certain shelter facilities (language amended during council consideration). The failed amendment would have removed a provision that requires shelters be located 250 feet away from city parks (measured from property line to property line); the council rejected that change and therefore retained the park buffer language as part of the conditional-use criteria.
Staff and the planning department will implement the code changes and update official mapping and zoning documents. Several councilors said they will continue to study park buffers and park definitions in follow‑up conversations with staff.
