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Presque Isle Planning Board sets 2026 goals, prioritizing housing and reuse of vacant buildings
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting, the Presque Isle Planning Board identified improving local housing supply and repurposing vacant or stalled buildings as its primary goals for 2026; staff also said the city will add a developer resources tab to the website. No formal votes were taken on goals.
The Presque Isle Planning Board met on Jan. 15, 2026, at City Hall Council Chambers to begin formal goal-setting for the 2026 calendar year. The board, meeting with staff present, identified improving local housing and addressing vacant or stalled buildings as their primary priorities for the year.
Tim St. Peter, deputy director of economic and community development, led the discussion on possible goals. He outlined a list of potential priorities that included improving the local housing supply, reviewing land-use policies, updating the Comprehensive Plan and conducting a thorough review of Chapter 59A. St. Peter also told the board the city will add a new site-development tab on its website to help developers access resources and information; specific contents and launch timing were not specified.
Board members emphasized housing as the central objective. Members discussed the impact of newly approved state laws and the need to streamline local ordinances to ensure compliance while still serving community needs. The board noted particular concern about vacant or "stalled" buildings and the importance of finding ways to make them productive for the community, but no ordinance changes or votes on specific policy actions were taken at the meeting.
Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting included the unanimous approval of minutes from the Dec. 4, 2025 meeting and a unanimous vote to adjourn. Dave Perry moved to approve the Dec. 4 minutes; Ward Gerow seconded and the motion passed 5-0. Near the end of the meeting, Perry moved to adjourn; Gerow seconded and the motion carried 5-0. The meeting opened at 6:00 PM and adjourned at 7:57 PM.
The board did not adopt formal goals or ordinances at the session; the discussion served to set priorities and direct staff work for the coming months. Next steps suggested by staff and board members include preparing ordinance-review materials and scheduling follow-up items to address housing strategies and potential reuse or rehabilitation initiatives for vacant properties.
