Bangor planning board unanimously recommends code changes to comply with new state housing laws

On April 7, 2026 the City of Bangor Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt amendments to Chapter 165 of the land development code to comply with state laws cited by staff as LD 1829, LD 427 and LD 97.

Planning Officer Ana Colette told the board the principal outcome of the proposed amendments is to increase residential density in the city’s urban zones and to allow more residential development in the Urban Service District (USD). "The main outcome from this is that it will increase density in our urban zones and allow more residential in like the urban service district, USD," Colette said. She also said the amendment would change subdivision review so that three- to four-unit dwellings would no longer require review by the planning board.

Those changes matter because they alter which projects require board review and could enable more housing to be built in areas zoned for higher density. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period on the proposal.

Member Ken Hun moved that the board recommend the City Council "ought to pass" the ordinance amending Chapter 165 to comply with the cited state laws; Member Hobson seconded. The board then conducted a roll-call vote; all listed members voted yes, and the motion carried 7-0.

Earlier in the meeting the board also approved the March meeting minutes and adopted findings for two properties noted in the meeting materials (a property on Kitridge Road and 2645 Broadway). Those procedural items were approved by roll-call vote with the same unanimous tally.

Chair Jonathan Buché said the Planning Board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at its next meeting. Staff told the board a further round of code revisions addressing transitional and rural zones is expected in the coming months, and a draft updated code will be available to staff next week.