Staff proposes reclassifying Ohio Street as major arterial; council asks for property‑impact estimate

City planning staff presented a proposed change to the land development code that would alter the definitions of "major" and "minor" arterial streets and reclassify Ohio Street from a minor to a major arterial.

Staff said Ohio Street has traffic volumes and sections with more than two lanes and serves a broad geographic area; the change would also remove State Street from the minor‑arterial list. The proposed reclassification affects which land uses are allowed along the road because some uses are limited to major arterials; staff said the change should bring some existing uses into conformity and avert certain nonconforming‑use issues that can limit expansions.

Councilors asked whether reclassification would make the city eligible for more Department of Transportation funding; staff replied that the change is primarily a zoning definition and would not by itself change DOT funding eligibility. Members also asked staff to prepare a rough count of properties that would become nonconforming or that are currently nonconforming, and to identify any pending development applications that might be affected. Staff said at least one pending recreation‑center proposal along Ohio Street—and a partnership with Penobscot Christian School—could be affected by the change.

Staff said the planning board’s review and conditional‑use process would allow traffic and neighborhood impacts to be evaluated when individual proposals come forward. The committee did not take a vote on the reclassification and asked staff to return with estimates and an analysis of affected properties before any formal ordinance or first reading is drafted.