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Residents tell committee Ohio Street should not be reclassified as a major arterial
Summary
Residents and several councilors told the Business and Economic Development Committee they oppose a staff proposal to reclassify Ohio Street as a major arterial, saying it does not meet the code’s traffic or lane criteria and would harm neighborhood character; staff recommended separating State Street and returning to council.
Councilor Leonard opened the Business and Economic Development Committee meeting on Jan. 21 and heard extended public opposition to a staff proposal that would add Ohio Street to the city’s "major arterial" street classification.
Joe Pratt, a Bangor resident, told the committee: "Ohio Street does not meet the land development code definition of a major arterial street. It does not have daily traffic in excess of 10,000 vehicles per day." Pratt said planning-board testimony and the packet materials showed no public supporters and argued many of the uses staff said the change would allow already exist on Ohio Street.
Jeffrey Forney, who lives at 2100 Ohio Street, cited Department of Transportation traffic counts and the code’s explicit thresholds, saying the street fails the volume test and that the code’s protections for legally nonconforming uses mean existing businesses would not be forced out. "Traffic volume on Ohio Street has diminished," Forney said, and changing the classification would not address the neighborhood’s actual problems.
Former state representative John Schneck and other longtime residents urged the committee to split the proposal — treating State Street separately — or to send staff back to revise the order. Several residents and property owners, including Amy Boyle (a co-owner of the family dairy at 2377 and 2360 Ohio Street), urged preserving the rural and residential character along stretches of Ohio Street.
Ann Krige, the community economic director, told the committee the change originated from a developer request and explained that arterial classifications affect which uses are permitted in various zoning districts. Krige said staff had notified property owners and abutters along Ohio Street, provided a map and memo to the committee, and would include planning-board responses in the next BED packet.
Committee members debated whether State Street should be separated from the Ohio Street proposal. Staff advised that statutory posting and notification rules generally require voting the current order down and directing staff to prepare a new order limited to State Street. Chair Leonard said the item will be placed on the next council agenda so the full council can decide.
The committee did not take a final vote on the arterial change; staff will prepare revised materials and notification follow-up for council consideration.
