Portland’s Planning Board held an introductory workshop for Port Property’s Master Development Plan on 3/14/23. The applicant has also submitted a Major Site Plan for Phase 1b, the single building proposed to allow low-income residents to meet inclusionary zoning requirements for all 7 sites. [This section will be updated with a link once documents are uploaded to the Planning Department’s self-service portal.]

24 members of the public submitted written comment, and 12 spoke during the meeting, expressing concerns ranging from new mass in a small residential neighborhood, to a wish not to delay a plan that includes housing development. Board members discussed topics from green space to ratio of retail amenities to traffic flow.

Next steps: Port Property will continue to work with with Planning staff on recommendations such as mid-block permeability, and with various other departments to complete application requirements such as wastewater plan, tree canopy and redesign of public streets. The Board will schedule several topical workshops where the applicant will present in more detail on specific areas such as design or transportation.

Public comment may be submitted any time to planningboard@portlandmaine.gov to be included in future Planning Board agenda packets (reference plan number PL-002315-2022), and questions regarding city code or planning processes may be sent to Planner Zachary Powell at zpowell@portlandmaine.gov.