Bangor council adopts multiple land-use changes, downtown assessments and committee appointments; one winter-parking ordinance fails

Bangor City Council on May 28 adopted a series of ordinances and orders that together change local land-use rules, approve a downtown special assessment and municipal development program, and create an advisory committee to oversee opioid-settlement spending. The council also postponed a land-lease item and rejected an ordinance to allow on-street winter parking except during snow-clearing orders.

The most consequential votes included ordinance 25-154, which amended the land development code to add a "general public safety" use to the Airport Development District; councilors said the change is intended to allow a planned fire training facility to locate on airport property. Councilor Fish moved 25-154; the roll call recorded seven yes votes and no opposition and the ordinance passed.

The council also passed ordinance 25-155 to clarify requirements for land development permits (added phasing-plan requirements, greater flexibility for permit expiration, and a bar on accepting new applications from applicants with unresolved code violations) and ordinance 25-156…