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Planning staff outline multi-tier Land Use Ordinance changes aimed for November 2026 ballot
Summary
At an April 22 workshop, Bar Harbor planning staff reviewed high-level strategies and a three-tier set of proposed Land Use Ordinance amendments — including a graduated lodging scale, minimum lot sizes, parking rules, height bonuses and accessory dwelling units — and asked the board to prepare for an April 28 follow-up workshop.
Bar Harbor planning staff reviewed a set of proposed Land Use Ordinance amendments and a timetable for next steps at a Planning Board workshop on April 22, 2026. Staff said they hope proposed amendments could be ready for placement on the November 2026 ballot.
The presentation, which staff delivered to the Town Council on April 21, outlined a three-tier workplan. Staff described the first tier as changes to a graduated lodging scale, minimum lot-size requirements and clarifying definitions; the second tier includes off-site and shared parking rules and a height-bonus proposal; a third tier focuses on accessory dwelling units. Planning staff presented the items as discrete priorities to be developed for board review and potential ordinance drafting.
Staff also provided a more detailed overview of State housing legislation and identified areas where local implementation would be required or informed by that law. Planning staff introduced the focus for an April 28 workshop and advised Planning Board members on how to prepare for that meeting.
No motions or votes were recorded during the April 22 workshop. The session ran from 2:00 p.m. to 3:17 p.m., and the meeting record lists Vice-Chair Ruth Eveland and members Teresa Wagner, Guy Dunphey, Kathy St. Germain and John Seavitt as present; Planning Director Michele Gagnon and Housing and Community Planner Cali Martinez were listed as staff in attendance. Member Clark Stivers was excused.
The Planning Board will revisit the listed ordinance topics during upcoming staff-led workshops and subsequent meetings; staff said they are aiming to have solutions and proposed ordinance text prepared in time for a potential November 2026 ballot measure.
