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Planning Board forms subcommittee to tackle Presque Isle housing shortage
Summary
At its Aug. 7 meeting, the Presque Isle Planning Board unanimously directed staff to form a subcommittee with City Council members to catalog vacant parcels, explore bringing utilities to buildable sites and pursue grant or low-interest loan funding to address a local housing shortage that is hindering economic development.
The Presque Isle Planning Board voted unanimously on Aug. 7, 2025, to form a subcommittee of Planning Board members, City Councilors and staff to catalog vacant parcels and pursue grants and low‑interest loans to spur housing development.
Tom Powers, Industrial Council Director, told the board the city faces a shortage of housing at “all income levels,” which he said is making it difficult to attract new industries, businesses and workers. "This is creating a 'chicken-and-egg' problem for economic development," Powers said, urging the city to consider providing land that already has utilities or to install utilities and streets on parcels to make development feasible.
Deputy Director Tim St. Peter told members he had spoken with Ross McQuade, the Utilities Director, who estimated that installing utilities would cost “anywhere from $400.00 to $700.00 per foot” depending on whether a road also must be built. St. Peter also said state density laws are changing, which will affect local planning considerations.
Board members cited specific obstacles. Richard Engels asked for clarity about what the city must provide; Ward Gerow framed the problem as primarily financial and pressed staff to identify potential funding sources. St. Peter noted that the state’s Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) programs could help but that the grant process can take at least two years.
Members also discussed a recent request for quotes (RFQ) for 30 Federal Street; St. Peter said the city received one interested party but that the respondent incorrectly expected the city to pay to build the proposed housing. The board discussed potential parcels, including property reportedly south of the University of Maine at Presque Isle that the university may sell.
The motion to form the subcommittee was made by Richard Engels and seconded by Ward Gerow; the board voted unanimously. Jayne Farrin asked staff to confirm how many councilors and planning board members could serve on the subcommittee before open‑meeting notice requirements would apply.
St. Peter said he has compiled a binder profiling six vacant parcels in the city (one city‑owned) with information on location, ownership, zoning, utilities status and development potential; he described the high cost of bringing utilities into new developments as a major roadblock. Board members agreed staff should begin cataloging properties and pursuing grant or loan opportunities. The board scheduled further discussion and assigned members to bring questions and follow‑up to upcoming meetings.
