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Presque Isle council schedules March hearings, approves planning updates and $145,000 loan
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the Presque Isle City Council scheduled public hearings for March 4 on a vacant‑building ordinance, a six‑month moratorium on new marijuana-business applications and a taxi‑cab late‑fee proposal; it also approved planning-code changes, planning board bylaws and a $145,000 loan to Vault Enterprises.
The Presque Isle City Council on Feb. 4 scheduled three public hearings for March 4, 2026, and approved several updates to planning and development rules and a loan to a local business.
Council members voted to schedule a second public hearing on Chapter 67, the city’s proposed vacant‑building ordinance, to gather public input before further council consideration. The motion to schedule the hearing was moved by Herman and seconded by Craig and passed unanimously among the six members present.
The council also approved updates to Chapter 43 (planning board ordinance), including a new conflict‑of‑interest clause and removal of an outdated local newspaper name, after clarifying language that the two‑year limit applies to planning‑board officers (chair, vice chair, secretary) rather than to appointed four‑year board terms. Councilor Doug raised the question about the draft wording during discussion and the council amended the language before adopting the change.
Council adopted amendments to Chapter 16 of the land‑use and development code to permit new and used vehicle dealerships in the General Development (GD) zone. Staff said the change corrects an unintended restriction that had kept a long‑standing auto lot from operating under the current code. The motion to adopt the land‑use change passed on a 6‑0 vote.
On routine business the council approved a consent agenda that included minutes, warrants, and a reappointment. The clerk reported warrants numbers 49–51 and 2026 warrants 1 and 2, totaling $1,693,828.67, were on the consent agenda; the consent motion passed unanimously among the six members present.
Council also approved new planning board bylaws governing meeting protocol and public participation and approved the Presque Isle Development Fund’s recommendation to make a $145,000 loan to Vault Enterprises at a 5% fixed interest rate amortized over two years. Council members spoke in support of Vault’s local role in employment and industrial‑park activity before the vote.
Votes at a glance: • Schedule second public hearing on Chapter 67 (vacant‑building ordinance) — moved Herman; second Craig; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Adopt Chapter 43 updates (planning board ordinance, conflict‑of‑interest; clarify officer term language) — moved Craig; second Mike; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Adopt Chapter 16 land‑use update (allow vehicle dealerships in GD zone) — moved Craig; second Herman; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Approve planning board bylaws — moved Mike; second Herman; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Approve consent agenda (minutes, warrants totaling $1,693,828.67, reappointment of Sarah M. Christensen to Wrecken Parks board through Dec. 31, 2029) — moved Mike; second Hank; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Schedule public hearing on Chapter 59A (six‑month moratorium on new marijuana business applications) — moved Herman; second Craig; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Schedule public hearing on Chapter 12 (taxi‑cab late fee) — moved Mike; second Herman; outcome: approved (6‑0). • Approve $145,000 loan to Vault Enterprises (Presque Isle Development Fund recommendation) — moved Craig; second Michael; outcome: approved (6‑0).
The council closed regular business with a manager’s report and community announcements, recognized Fire Chief Daryl White for 38 years with the department, and then moved into an executive session to discuss real estate under MSR 4056C. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. at city hall.
