Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bangor Planning Board unanimously recommends expanding where temporary food and merchandise sales can operate
Summary
The City of Bangor Planning Board voted unanimously on June 2 to recommend a code amendment that would allow temporary sales (such as food trucks and seasonal vendors) in additional commercial zones, permit up to 2,000 square feet per parcel, remove parking requirements, reduce setbacks to 10 feet and prohibit drive‑throughs; the recommendation now goes to City Council for a final decision.
The City of Bangor Planning Board on June 2 voted unanimously to recommend that City Council pass an amendment to Land Development Code section 165‑31 to expand and clarify rules for temporary sales of food and merchandise.
Planning Officer Anya Collette, who presented the proposal to the board, said “this amendment would pretty much um add flexibility for temporary sales, which means things like food trucks,” and summarized the key provisions: temporary sales would be allowed outside the waterfront development district in certain commercial zones (including the neighborhood service district), could occur on vacant lots in eligible zones, the combined maximum footprint for vendors on a single parcel would be increased to 2,000 square feet in primary commercial zones, the parking requirement for the use would be removed, setbacks would be reduced to 10 feet from property lines, and drive‑through service would be prohibited.
Board members asked for clarifications about how the rules would apply in practice. Member Ted Brush asked whether the code defines what counts as a ‘lot’ for the purposes of limiting vendor counts; Collette confirmed “we do have that defined in the code — it’s just a parcel,” and reiterated that the 2,000‑square‑foot cap is the total area allowed for all vendors on a parcel. Collette also told the board the amendment would not allow temporary sales in parks or the parks and open space zone, and that temporary vendors could not park on public streets.
After closing public comment (no speakers were present in person or online), Member Brush moved that the board recommend City Council “ought to pass the amendment to the land development code section 165‑31 temporary sales of food and merchandise to allow increased flexibility for this use,” the motion was seconded, and a roll‑call vote was taken. Members Brush, Hayes, Hopson, Hune, Whitford and Chair Jonathan Boucher all voted yes; the recommendation will be taken up at the City Council’s next meeting.
Votes at a glance • Approve May 19, 2026 meeting minutes — outcome: approved (roll‑call unanimous). • Adopt findings and decisions for 111 Union Street, 375 Pushaw Road, and 10 Broadway — outcome: approved (motion carried, roll‑call unanimous). • Recommend City Council pass Land Development Code §165‑31 (temporary sales of food and merchandise) — outcome: approved (board recommends passage; forwarded to City Council).
What happens next The board’s recommendation is advisory; the City Council holds the final authority for zoning and code changes. City staff said the amendment will be placed on the City Council agenda for review at its next meeting. The planning board continued its broader code review work and adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
