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Select Board holds public hearing on zoning changes to allow alcohol at B&Bs and set rules for special event centers
Summary
The Select Board held an informational public hearing April 7 on two town-meeting referendum questions: an amendment allowing alcohol service at bed-and-breakfasts (limited to patrons/events) and a new conditional-use framework for special event centers with performance standards and a 150-person occupancy cap.
The Select Board of the Town of North Berwick held an informational public hearing on April 7 to review two proposed zoning ordinance amendments that will appear as referendum questions at the 2026 annual town meeting.
Duane Moore, town manager, summarized the first proposed amendment as a narrow change to the bed-and-breakfast definition: "primarily, what it does, it allows for alcoholic beverages to be served at bed and breakfasts. That's the the sum of that change," he said, adding that alcohol service would be limited to patrons staying at the facility or to events hosted by the B&B, not an open, walk‑in bar.
The second and larger amendment would allow "special event centers or facilities" as a conditional use in multiple zones — village A and B, residential 1 and 2, commercial 2 and, with caveats, some farm and forest parcels for structures existing as of July 1, 2026 — after meeting a series of performance standards. Moore listed requirements that applicants must meet to obtain a conditional-use permit, including a site manager on duty, perimeter screening, full compliance with building codes, a parking plan and exterior lighting plan, a solid-waste plan, sanitation and potable water provisions, and limits on amplified sound (permitted for up to four events per year). He said each event center would have a maximum occupancy of 150 and must submit a parking plan and other supporting materials.
A member of the public asked whether alcohol service under the B&B amendment would be available to non-staying patrons. Moore responded that service would be limited to patrons or for events at the facility: "It has to be patrons ... you just can't walk into and say, hey, barkeeps." The board emphasized that the hearing was informational and that state law requires at least 10 days' notice before an item is voted on at town meeting.
The hearing closed at 6:40 p.m.; any formal action on the two ordinance amendments will occur at the annual town meeting where voters will see the two referendum questions as presented.
What happens next: The hearing record will be part of the materials for the April town meeting. Voters at that session will decide whether to adopt the bed-and-breakfast definition change and the conditional-use framework for special event centers.
